IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.0 


1.1 


u  U& 


us 

us 

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1 2.5 
2.0 


IM 


18 


1.25  1  1.4  III,, .6 

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6"     

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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WEBSrCR.N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)S72-4S03 


YSgSSSSik. 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/iCIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


I      I    Cover  title  misbing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  init  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


0    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film6es. 


L'institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 

□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

n    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculies 

B    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu6es 

□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^es 


\/ 


D 
0 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Qualitd  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppl^mentaire 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmdes  6  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The  copy 
to  the  gei 


The  imag 
possible  < 
of  the  ori 
filming  c( 


Original  c 
beginninf 
the  last  p 
sion.  or  tl 
other  ori( 
first  page 
sion,  and 
or  iilustra 


The  last  r 
shall  com 
TINUED" 
whichevs 

Maps,  pli 

different 

entirely  ii 

beginning 

right  and 

required. 

method: 


n 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

V 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmed  h«r«  has  b—n  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

University  of  Alberta 
Edmonton 


L'axamplaira  filmA  fut  'aproduit  grAca  A  la 
gin*rosit6  da: 

Univeriity  of  Alberta 
Edmonton 


Tha  imagas  appearing  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
possibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibiiity 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impree- 
sion,  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copiaa  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printad  or  illuatrated  imprea- 
sion.  and  ending  on  the  iaat  page  with  a  printed 
or  illuatrated  impreasion. 


Las  imagas  suivantas  ont  6t*  raproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattet*  de  raxamplaira  film*,  at  an 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmage. 

Lea  axemplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papier  est  imprimAe  sont  fiimis  an  commanpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
derni«re  page  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autras  axampiaires 
originaux  sont  fiimAs  en  commanpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration  at  en  tarminant  par 
la  darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  Iaat  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  «^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  'END"), 
whichever  appiiaa. 


Un  dea  symbolaa  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
darniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
caa:  le  symbols  —^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  la 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratioa.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  expoaura  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  frames  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartas,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuveiit  fttre 
filmta  A  das  taux  da  rMuction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  doi  ..^ment  est  trop  grand  pour  fttra 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  fiimi  d  partir 
de  I'angia  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  an  baa,  9n  prenant  la  nombra 
d'imagea  nAcessaire.  Las  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthoda. 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

-7. 


r 


/r//////r//'a  y//////yv 


MALE  &    FEMALE 


KrwIJ': 


s^ 


*      »     1 


"  i'''MH 


If"  •  Si\,. 


'^•■i'i'A  ■■:■'•'   ^is:i 


■*  ">        -.^" 


«* 


Xrwiji: 


„**a 


,   %' 


% 


'^^ 


OUR 


NORTHERN  AND  EASTERN  BIRDS. 


CONTAINING    DESCRIPTIONS    OP    THE     BinD3    OF    TilE    NORTHERN     AMI 
EASTERN  STATES  AND  BRITISH  PROVINCES; 

ZOQETIIEH  Wlia 

A    HISTORY    OF    THEIR    HABITS,    TIMES    OP    ARRIVAL    AND    DEPARTURH 

THEIR  DISTRIBUTION,    FOOD,    SONO,   TIME  OP   BREEDINQ,   AND 

A  CAREFUL  AND   ACCURATE   DESCRIPTION   OP 

TUEIH    NESTS    AND    EGGS; 


^^ 


c?/, 


JLLUSTJtATIONS    OF    MAlfT    SPECIES    OF    THE   BfliDS, 
AND  dOOl/BATE  FtOUBBS  OF  THEIB  EaOS. 


Br  EDWARD  A.  SAMUELS. 


i 
'I 


WITH  A  SUPPLEMENT  FEOM  HOLDEH'S  "AMERICAN   FAUNA." 


NEW   YORK: 
R.  WORTHINGTON,   770  BROADWAY. 

1883. 


CopYBionx, 

1883, 

Bx  B.  WOBTHINOTOM, 


Trow's 

PrINTINO  AI.I)  HoOKIilNDlNG  COMPANY 
aoi-313  /■:ast  Twelfth  Street 
Nkw  York 


5^^^^vv^*^,vvv^ 


^^'^^^^^^Vi/V*.* 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  ALBERTA 


PREFACE. 


As  we  review  the  large  list  of  books  on  Aineiioan  orni- 
thology now  in  print,  it  seems  almost  incrodihlf  that, 
when  the  first  edition  of  the  "Ornithology  and 
Oology  of  Xew  p]ngland"  was  pnblished  in  1807,  there  was 
lianlly  another  hook  to  be  obtamed  on  oiu"  birds,  udajjted  to 
pomilar  nse. 

Tlie  large  and  very  expensive  work  of  Andnbon,  and 
the  smaller  ones  by  Knttall  and  Wilson,  comprised  abont 
everything  there  was,  and  these  were  to  be  found  by  iw- 
cident  only  on  the  book-dealers'  shelves,  and  were  held 
at  prices  qnite  beyond  the  reach  of  the  masses. 

liepeated  inquiries  from  nnmei'ous  persons  interested  in 
ornithology  convinced  me  that  there  was  a  great  and  in- 
creasing v/ant  for  a  popular  work  on  our  birds,  and  in 
response  to  them  I  set  about  its  preparation  and  publi- 
cation. 

In  this  book  I  corrected  certain  important  errors  that 
had  been  published  in  relation  to  the  breeding  liabits  of 
some  of  the  species,  and  added  new  facts  to  our  knowledge 
respecting  those  of  others.  I  also  gave  pretty  elaborate 
descriptions  of  the  nests  and  eggs  of  many  that  had  not 
been  before  described. 

Up  to  that  period  comparatively  little  attention  had  been 
devoted  to  oology  in  this  country,  and  vei-y  few  of  onr 
professed  ornithologists  were  well  acquainted  with  the  eggs 
of  a  large  proportion  of  onr  birds. 

Hardly  one  ornithologist  in  ten,  at  the  time  the  book 
was  first  issued,  could  identify  the  nest  and  eggs  of  sucli 
birds  as  the  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  Indigo  Bird,  Ruhty 
Blackbird,  Chestnut-sided  Warbler,  I31ack-throated  Green 
Warbler,  and  scores  of  others,  such  as  are  now  regarded 
as  common,  and  are  found  in  the  collections  of  all  who 
make  any  claims  as  ornithologists. 

This  seems  hard   to   believe,    but  there  are  few  who 


96673 


It 


PIIKFAOR. 


realize  how  rapidly  our  knowliul^c  in  tliis  dopartiiuMit  lias 
advanced  witliiii  the  last  fifteen  yearn. 

Whether  or  not  the  hook  on  the  "  Mirdrt  of  New  Kngland  " 
aided  this  advanec,  it  certainly  added  to  the  mimher  of 
ohservers.  Ornithology  seemed  to  hecoino  popularized 
among  u.s  at  once,  and  it  was  astonishing  to  see  how 
I'apidly  each  edition  was  succeeded  by  another. 

The  demand  still  continues,  notwithstanding  there  are 
now  a  number  of  other  books  to  be  obtained,  some  of 
which  coviir  a  portion  of  the  ground  occupied  by  this 
work. 

Some  of  these  books  are  reliable  and  valuable,  and  others 
are  probably  destined  to  scarcely  more  than  a  passing  popu- 
larity, although  the  author  of  one  makes  the  pretentious 
claim  that  it  practically  supersedes  this  book. 

In  the  present  edition  a  portion  of  the  biographies  has 
been  entirely  rewritten  and  enlarged,  and  new  illustrations 
added,  all  of  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  add  to  the  value  of 
the  work. 

It  has  been  decided  in  this  issue  to  cliange  the  title 
of  the  book.  Treating  as  it  docs  of  many  birds  wliich 
occur  in  States  outside  of  New  England,  as  well  as  within 
its  limits,  there  sectns  no  impropriety  in  reinovitig  from 
the  title  the  suggestion  of  exclusiveness  conveyed  by  the 
former  name,  and  under  the  not  inappropriate  title  of 
"  Onr  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds,"  it  is  hoped  that  the 
book  will  meet  with  a  contimiation  of  the  favor  it  re- 
ceived when  apparetjtly  treating  only  of  the  species  found 
in  New  England. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  work  I  was  greatly  indebted 
to  Professor  Spencer  F.  Baird,  of  Washingion,  for  his 
generous  permission  to  use  the  descriptions  of  the  birds 
wliich  Jiad  been  given  by  him  in  the  ninth  volume  of  the 
Pacific  llailroad  lieports  ;  for  this  kindness  I  again  return 
thanks,  and  to  the  many  other  friends  who  lent  me  valu- 
able assistance  I  also  renew  acknowledgments. 

Edward  A.  Samuels, 
Boston,  April  36,  1883. 


/ 


CONTENTS. 


Characteristics  op  Orders 4 

ORDER  1.— RAPTORES.  ROBBERS. 

Family  Falconidte,  Falcons 7 

Sub-Famllj'  Falconinas,  Falcons  proper 7 

AccipitrinsB,  Hawks      .     .  *^ 22 

Buteoninm,  Buzzard-Hawks 34 

AquilinsB,  Eagles      .     .  **. 49 

Family  Strigidas,  Owls 60 

Sub-Family  Buboninae,  Homed  Owls 60 

SyrninsB,  Gray  Owls 71 

Nycteininto,  Day  Owls 77 

ORDER  n.  — SCANSORES,   CLBIBERS. 

Family  Cuculidse,  Cuckoos     . ''' 83 

PlcidsB,  Woodpeckers     ' 87 

ORDER  ni.  — INSESS0RE8,  PERCHERS. 

Sub-Order  Strisores 110 

Family  Trochilidae,  Humming-Birds   ". 110 

CypselidiB,  Swifts 116 

Caprimulgidte,  Goat-Suckers 119 

Sub-Order  Clamatores,  Screamers 125 

Family  Alcedinidse,  Kingfishers 125 

Colopteridaj,  Flycatchers 128 

Sub-Family  Tyrannina;,  Tyrant  Flycatchers 128 

Sub-Order  Oscines,  Singers 

Family  Turdidse,  Thrushes 145 

Sub-Family  Mimin89,  Mocking-Birds  T 163 

Family  Saxicolidae,  Rock-Inhabiters 176 


\ 


tI  contents. 

Pi  01 

Faniil)'  Sylviidio,  Wood-Inliabitcra 17N 

Paridte,  Titinico 182 

Sub-Family  StttintD,  NuthAtr-lmi* IHii 

Family  Cortliiadn,  Crcopora  . 190 

TroglodytidiB,  Wrens 19:^ 

Sylvicolida,  Warblen 1<J<> 

Sub-Fainily  Motaciliino),  WagtailN ID'J 

Sylvicolina,  Wood-WmbiiTs 201 

Tanagrinie,  TanagtrN 260 

Family  Hirundinido),  Swallow!)  .     T 254 

Bombycillidn,  Chattcrom 204 

Laniidoa,  Shrikes 268 

Sub-Family  LaniinoB,  Shrikes  proper 208 

VireoniiiBB,  Vireos 270 

Family  Alaudidm,  Skylarks    .7 280 

Fringillidffi,  Secd-£ater8 283 

Rub-Family  CoccothraustinaB,  Fincheii 283 

SpizellinoD,  Sparrows 301 

Passorcllinie,  Huntings 325 

Family  IcteridiB 335 

Sub-Family  AgclaeinoB,  Starlings 335 

Icterinas,  Orioles 346 

QiiiscalincB,  Blackbirds .  '' 350 

Family  Corvidso,  Crows    .     .  ' 355 

Sub-Family  CorvinsB,  Crows  proper 365 

GarrulinsB,  Jays  .   T 864 

ORDER  rv.  — RASORES,  SCRATCHERS. 

Sub-Order  Columbse 373 

Family  Columbidie,  Doves  ''.' 373 

Sub-Order  Gallinse,  Game-Birds 378 

Family  Tetraonidae,  Grouse 378 

TerdicidsB,  Partridges   " 380 

ORDER  v.  — GRALLATORES,  WADERS. 

Sub-Order  Herodiones 396 

Family  Ardeidce,  Herons   .     .  ~ 390 

Sub-Order  Gralloe,  Shore-Birds  .- 410 

Family  Charadridse,  Plovers 411 

Hsematopodidie,  Oyster-Catchers      ....•...,  422 

RecurviroBtridffi,  Avoscts 426 


CONTENTS. 


vh 


I'Adll 

Family  PhiiUropodiilie,  Pbaluroptii 42H 

Scolopacidoo,  Soipes  rs..,.     ,,,,,,,,,.  430 

Suh-fiinily  Tringinu},  Sandpipen ....  4'I0 

Sub-Family  Totaniuto,  Stilts 451 

Family  Puludicolis.     Swamp  Inhabitvni 470 

Sub-Family  lialliiioB,  Rails 47O 

ORDER  VI.— NATATORES,  8W1MMKUS. 

8ub-0idor  Anneros 4gQ 

Family  Anatidw 48Q 

Sub-Family  Cygninaa,  Swans ...........          ,     .  480 

AnsorinsB,  Goese      .- .jgi 

Anatinos,  River-Ducks 487 

Fuligulinsa,  Soa-Ducks '  ' .OOS 

Merginas,  SLeldrakes 526 

Family  SulidsB,  Gannots 532 

Graculido!,  Cormoranta 534 

Laridse,  Gulls 537 

Sub-Family  Lestridinie,  Skua-Gulls   - 537 

Larinse,  Gulls  proper 539 

Sterninaa,  Terns fl45 

Sub-Order  Gavise 582 

Family  Frocellaridee,  Petrels 562 

Colymbidffi,  Divers     .  -. 555 

Sub-Family  Colymbins,  Loons 555 

Podicipinffi,  Grebes 658 

Family  AlcidsB 554 

Sub-Family  Alcinae,  Auks 5(J4 

TTrinn,  GuillemoU 6C7 

Apfkkpix 575 

Supplement  (from  Holder's  Americnn  Fauna) 584 

Index  of  Common  Names 594 

Index  of  Scientific  Names 598 


;! 

H 
•t 

Hi 

I 


/ 


■Si 

si 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND    OOLOGY. 


INTEODUCTION. 


AS  I  have  generally  adopted,  in  the  present  volume,  the 
system  of  classification,  and  the  nomenclatiirQ,  &c., 
presented  by  Professor  jBaird  in  his  report  on  the  Birds  of 
North  America,  I  will  state  here,  that  1  have  given,  so  far 
as  possible,  his  own  remarks  in  the  explanations  of  the 
characteristics  of  the  different  orders,  families,  genera,  &c., 
because  they  are  expressed  in  the  most  concise  and  com- 
prehensive language  possible.  I  have  also  given  the  same 
descriptions  of  the  species  as  those  contahicd  in  the  above- 
mentioned  report,  because,  being  made  from  a  much  greater 
number  of  specimens  than  I  could  possibly  have  access 
to,  they  are  certainly  better  than  I  could  present  from 
my  own  observations.  The  descriptions  of  the  character- 
istics of  the  JRaptores,  the  Grallce,  and  the  Alcidce,  are  by 
John  Cassin,  of  Philadelphia;  those  of  the  Longipennea 
Totipalmes  and  GolymUdce  were  written  by  Mr.  George  N. 
Lawrence,  of  New  York ;  those  of  the  other  birds  were 
prepared  by  Professor  Spencer  F.  Baird,  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institute. 

In  order  that  the  descriptions  of  the  birds  in  the  follovv- 

[11 


:3 


IS 

i 


INTRODUCTION. 


I 


iiig  pages  may  be  perfectly  understood,  I  give  the  subjoined 
cuts,  illustrating  and  explaining  them :  — 


II     G  F      C   D  C  B  A 

A  n'urescnts  the  primary  quills,  usually  called  primaries, 

B  represents  the  secondary  quills,  usually  called  secondaries. 

C  spurious  wing. 

D  wing  coverts. 

E  tertiary  (juills,  usually  called  tertiaries.  : 

F  represents  the  throat. 

G  is  the  upper  part  of  the  throat,  called  the  jugulum. 

H  is  the  bill  or  beak :  this  is  divided  into  two  parts,  called  the  upper 

and  lower  mandibles. 
I  is  the  frons,  or  forehead:   feathers  at  this  point  are  called  6*onta] 

feathers. 
J  is  the  crown :  feathers  here  are  called  coronal  feathers,  and  cccipitiil. 
K  represents  the  scapular  feathers. 

L  is  the  back:  feathers  here  are  sometimes  called  interscapular. 
M  represents  the  tarsus :  called  shank  or  leg  sometimes.  \ 

N  is  the  abdomen. 
()  is  the  rump. 

P  shows  the  upper  tail  coverts. 
Q  indicates  the  p(>sition  of  the  lower  tail  coverta. 


INTRODUCTION. 


8 


R  shows  on  the  bill  the  culiucii,  or  crown,  of  tiie 

tipper  niuiidible. 
S  is  the  naked  skin  at  the  base  of  the  bill, 

called  the  cere. 
T  shows  the  position  of  tnu  lores  between  the 

eye  and  bill. 
U  indicates  the  gape,  the  angle  at  the  junction  of  the  upper  a 

mandibles :  the  feathers  in  this  locality  are  called  rictal 
V  is  the  eonnnissure,  or  the  folding  edges  of  the  mandibles. 


nd  lower 


111  addition  to  tliese  parts,  there  are  the  flanks  or  sides 
of  tlie  bird ;  the  pectus,  or  breast ;  the  flexure,  or  bend  of 
the  wing ;  the  iris,  or  irides,  tlie  colored  circle  which  sur- 
rounds the  pupil  of  the  eye ;  and  the  toes  and  tibia :  the 
former  are  sometimes  palmated,  as  with  the  swimmers,  or 
natatores ;  and  the  latter  is  that  portion  next  above  tlie 
tarsus  on  the  leg. 


'1 


SYI^^OPSIS 


OF  THE 


/ 


CITARACTERISTICS  OP  NORTH-AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


i 


THE  following  synopsis  of  tho  orders  of  birds,  taken 
partly  from  Keyserling  and  Blasius,  will  serve  to  illus- 
trate the  characteristics  of  the  higher  groups  in  American 
Ornithology :  — 

A.  —  Hind  Toe  on  the  same  Level  with  the  Anterior 

ONES. 

a.  Posterior  face  or  the  sides  of  the  tarsus  more  or  less  reticu- 
lated, granulated,  or  with  scales  more  numerous  or  smaller  than 
in  front ;  sometimes  naked.  Anterior  face  of  the  tarsus  never  in 
one  unbroken  plate.     Larynx  without  complex  vocal  muscles. 

Order  L  Raptores.  —  Base  of  the  uppcJ  mandible  with  a 
soft  skin  or  cere.  Upper  mandible  compressed ;  its  point  curving 
down  over  that  of  the  lower,  forming  a  strong,  sharp  hook.  Claws 
generally  retractile.  Toes,  never  two  behind.  Birds  usually  of 
large  size  and  of  powerful  frame,  embracing  the  so-called  birds 
of  prey. 

Order  II.  Scansokks.  —  Toes  in  pairs  ;  two  in  front  and  two 
behind :  the  outer  anterior  being  usually  directed  backwards  ;  the 
unier,  in  Trogonidce.     Tail-feathers  eight  to  twelve. 

Order  III.  Strisores.  —  Toes  either  tliree  anterior  and  one 
behind  (or  lateral),  or  four  anterior :  the  hinder  one  is,  however, 
usually  versatile,  or  capable  of  direction  more  or  less  laterally  for- 
ward. Tail-feathers  never  more  than  ten.  Primaries  always  ten ; 
the  first,  long. 

w 


SYNOPSIS   OP  THK 


Order  IV.  Clamatokes.  —  Toes,  three  anterior  and  one  pos- 
terior (not  versatile).  Primaries  always  ten ;  the  first  nearly  as 
long  as  the  second.     Tail-feathers  usually  twelve. 

b.  Anterior  face  of  the  tarsus  in  one  continuous  plate,  or  divided 
transversely  into  large  quadrate  scales.  Plates  on  either  the  pos- 
terior surface  of  the  tarsus  or  the  sides,  without  subdivisions,  never 
both  divided  together :  when  divided,  the  divisions  correspond 
with  the  anterior  ones.  Larynx  with  peculiar  complex  singing 
muscles. 

Order  V.  Oscinks.  —  Toes,  three  anterior,  one  posterloi. 
Pi'imaries,  either  nine  only ;  or,  if  ten,  the  first  usually  short  or 
spurious. 

B.  —  Hind  Toe  raised  above  the  Level  of  the  Rest. 

Order  VI.  Rasores.  —  Nostrils  arched  over  by  an  incumbent 
thick,  fleshy  valve.  Bill  not  longer  than  the  head,  obtuse  anteri- 
orly.    Nails  broad,  obtusely  rounded. 

Order  VII.  Grallatores.  —  Legs  lengthened,  adapted  for 
walking,  naked  above  the  knee.  Nostrils  naked.  Thighs  usually 
quite  free  from  the  body.  Toes  not  connected  by  a  membrane,  or 
for  a  short  distance  only  ;  sometimes  with  a  lobed  margin. 

Order  VIII.  Natatores.  —  Adapted  for  swimming.  Legs 
generally  short.  Toes  united  by  a  continuous  membrane.  Thighs 
mostly  buried  in  the  muscles  of  the  body. 


i! 
I 

3 


CHAUACTERISTICS  OF   NORTH-AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


ORDER  I.  — RAPTORES.    Rx)bbers. 

The  peculiarities  already  given  of  the  order  Raptores  ai  o 
sufficient  to  define  it  among  the  others  mentioned,  although 
many  additional  features  might  1>c  named.  The  order  em- 
braces three  families,  which  are  characterized  by  Keyscrling 
and  Blasius  as  follows :  — 

A.  —  DiurN\L  Birds  op  Pret. 

Eyes  lateral,  with  lashes,  surrounded  by  a  naked  or  woolly  orbi- 
tal circle ;  the  feathers  above,  below,  and  behind  the  eyes  directed 
backwards,  as  on  the  rest  of  the  head  ;  anterior  to  the  eye,  the  lore 
imperfectly  clothed  with  a  radiating  star  of  bristles,  or  with  scale- 
like feathers.  The  inner  toe  without  the  nail,  shorter,  or  svs  long 
as  the  outer.     Nostrils  opening  in  the  cere. 

VuLTCRiDiE.  —  Bill  contracted  or  indented  on  the  anterior 
border  of  the  cere,  so  that  the  culmen  is  bow-shaped,  or  ascending 
anterior  to  it.  Eyes  lying  on  a  level  with  the  sides  of  the  head. 
Head  sparsely  covered  with  downy  feathers  only,  or  partially 
naked.  Claws  weak,  rather  slender,  and  only  moderately  curved ; 
the  tarsi  and  bases  of  the  toes  reticulated. 

FalconiDjE.  —  The  bill  not  contracted,  nor  the  culmen  ascend- 
ing anterior  to  the  cere.  Eyes  sunken.  The  head  completely 
covered  witli  compact,  perfect  feathers.     Claws  strong. 

r>.  —  Nocturnal  Birds  of  Puky. 

Strigid^:.  —  Eyes  directed  forwards  ;  more  or  less  completely 
surrounded  by  a  crown  of  radiating  bristly  feathers.  Lores  and 
base  of  bill  densely  covered  with  bristly  feathers  directed  forwards. 
The  nostrils  opening  on  the  anterior  edge  of  the  cere.  The  inner 
toe  without  its  claw  longer  tliau  the  outer,  whicli  is  versatile.  A 
crown  of  peculiarly  formed  feathers  on  the  side  of  the  head  and 
above  the  throat.  Head  fullv  feathered.  Plumage  very  soft 
ind  downy. 


GREAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 


Family  FALCONID^. 

Sub-Family  FALCONiNiE.     The  Falcons. 
FALCO,  LinMiKUS. 

Falco,  LiNN.EUs,  Sj'st.  Nat.  I.  124  (1766). 

Gi'DCfal  form  robust  and  compact.  I5ill  short,  curved  strongly  from  the  base  lo 
(lie  poHit,  which  is  vcr^-  sharp,  and  near  whicli  is  a  distinct  a  id  generally  prominent 
tooth;  nostrils  circular,  with  a  central  tubercle;  wings  lo' g,  pointed,  formed  for 
vigorous,  rapid,  and  long-continued  flight;  tail  rather  Ion',  and  wide;  tarsi  short, 
robust,  covered  with  circular  or  hexagonal  scales;  "-'.".alo  toe  long;  claws  large, 
strong,  curved,  and  very  sharp. 

FALCO  kSAtmi.  —  Bonnpnrte. 

The  Duck  Hawk ;  Great-Footed  Havk. 

Falco  anainm,  Bonap.     Comp.  List,  p.  4  (1838). 

"  Fdlco peregrinus,"  Wilson,  Audubon,  and  other  authors. 

DEscnir'^.oN. 

Adult. — Frontal  band  white;  entire  upper  parts  bluish-cinereous,  with  trans- 
verse bands  of  brownish-black,  lighter  on  the  rump;  nnder  parts  yellowish-white, 
with  cordate  and  circular  spots  of  black  on  the  breast  and  abdomen,  and  transverse 
bands  of  black  on  the  sides,  under  tail  coverts,  and  tibiic;  quills  and  tail  brownish- 
blnck.  the  latter  with  transverse  bars  of  pale  cinereous;  cheeks  witli  a  patch  of 
black;  bill  light-blue;  tarsi  and  toes  yellow      Sexes  alike. 

Yintrif/er. — Entire  upper  parts  brownish-blaek;  frontal  spot  obscure;  large 
space  on  the  cheeks  black;  under  parts  dull  yellowish-white,  darker  than  in  adult, 
and  with  hngitadinal  stripes  of  brownish-black;  tarsi  and  toes  bluish-lead  color, 
iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  eighteen  to  twenty  inches;  wing,  fourteen  to  fifteen;  tail,  seven 
to  eight  inches.  1 

The  Duck  Hawk,  which  by  the  name  of  Peregine  Falcon 
is  known  to  my  readers  as  one  of  the  most  rapacious  of 
our  birds  of  prey,  is  not  uncommon  in  many  portions  of 
New  England.  It  is  nearly  identical  with  the  European 
species,  and  its  habits  and  destructiveness  are  equally  great 
with  that  bird.  In  its  habitat,  it  is  oftener  found  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  sea-coast  than  in  the  interior.  It  is  a 
powerful  bird,  of  rapid  flight  and  great  boldness  and  cour- 

1  See  Introduction. 


i! 
'1 


8 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Ill, 


ago,  and  is  the  terror  of  the  water-fowl,  which  constitute  the 
greater  portion  of  its  prey.  Tiio  hreeding  season  of  this 
species  is  very  early.  It  commences  building  the  nest 
usually  on  an  inaccessible  cliff,  by  the  first  of  April.  This 
is  constructed  of  twigs,  grasses,  and  sometimes  seaweeds. 
The  eggs  are  from  two  to  four  in  number:  their  form  is 
almost  splicrical,  and  their  color  is  of  a  reddish-brown, 
covered  with  numerous  minute  spots  and  blotches  of  a 
darker  shade.  The  dimensions  of  the  only  two  specimens 
accessible  to  mo  at  present  arc  1.90  inch  in  length  by  1.75 
in  breadth,  and  1.85  inch  in  length  by  1.72  inch  in  breadth. 
The  following  extracts  from  the  writings  of  different 
authors  comprise  the  most  interesting  observations  made 
of  this  species  :  —  . 

"The  flight  of  this  bird  is  of  astonishing  rapidity.  It  is  scarcely 
ever  seen  sailing,  unless  after  being  disappointed  in  its  attempt  to 
secure  the  prey  whicii  it  liad  been  pursuing;  and  even  at  such 
times  it  merely  vl^es,  with  a  broad  spiral  circuit,  to  attiiin  a  suffi- 
cient elevation  to  enable  it  to  reconnoitre  a  certain  space  below.  It 
then  emits  a  cry  much  resembling  that  of  the  sparrow-hawk,  but 
greatly  louder,  like  that  of  the  European  kestrel,  and  flies  off 
swiftly  in  quest  of  plunder.  The  search  is  often  performed  with  a 
flight  resembling  that  of  the  tame  pigeon,  until,  perceiving  an  object, 
it  redoubles  its  flappings,  and  pursues  the  fugitive  with  a  rapidity 
scarcely  to  be  conceived.  Its  turnings,  windings,  and  cuttings 
through  the  air,  are  now  surprising.  It  follows  and  nears  the 
timorous  quarry  at  every  turn  and  back-cutting  which  the  latter 
attempts.  Arrived  witliin  a  few  feet  of  the  prey,  the  Falcon  is 
seen  protruding  his  powerful  legs  and  talons  to  their  full  stretch^ 
His  wings  are,  for  a  moment,  almost  closed ;  the  next  instant,  he 
grapples  the  prize,  which,  if  too  weighty  to  be  carried  off  directly, 
he  forces  obliquely  toward  the  ground,  sometimes  a  hundred  yards 
from  where  it  was  seized,  to  kill  it,  and  devour  it  on  the  spot. 
Should  this  happen  over  a  large  extent  of  water,  the  Falcon  drops 
his  prey,  and  sots  off  in  quest  of  another.  On  the  contrary,  should 
it  not  prove  too  heavy,  the  exulting  bird  carries  it  off  to  a  seques- 
tered and  secure  place.     He  pursues  the  smaller  ducks,  water-hens, 


GBEAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 


9 


nnd  other  swimming  bird?) ;  nnd,  if  they  nre  not  qniclt  in  diving, 
seizes  tliem,  nnd  rises  with  them  from  tlie  water.  I  Iiave  seen  tliis 
hawk  come  at  the  report  of  h  gun,  nnd  enrry  off  a  tenl,  not  tliirly 
steps  distant  from  the  sportsmnn  who  liad  killed  it,  with  a  during 
assurance  ns  surprising  ns  unexpected.  This  conduct  has  been 
observed  by  many  individuals,  and  is  a  charncteristic  fiait  of  the 
species.  The  largest  bird  thnt  I  have  seen  this  luiwk  attack  and 
grapple  with  on  the  wing  is  the  Mallard.  ' 

"The  Great-footed  Hawk  does  not,  however,  '  ntent  himself 
with  waterfowl.  He  is  generally  seen  following  tiie  flocks  of 
pigeons,  and  even  blackbirds,  causing  great  terror  in  their  ranks, 
and  forcing  them  to  perform  aerial  evolutions  to  escape  the  grasp 
of  his  dreaded  talons.  For  severnl  days,  I  watched  one  of  them 
tliat  had  taken  a  particular  fancy  to  some  tame  pijzeous,  to  secure 
which  it  went  so  far  as  to  enter  tlieir  house  at  one  of  the  holes, 
seize  a  bird,  and  issue  by  another  hole  in  an  instant,  causing  such 
terror  among  the  rest  as  to  render  me  fearful  that  they  would 
abandon  the  place.     However,  I  fortunately  shot  the  depredator. 

"  Tiiey  occasionally  feed  on  dead  fish,  that  have  floated  to  tlie 
shores  or  sand-bars.  I  saw  several  of  them  thus  occupied,  wliile 
descending  the  Mississippi  on  a  journey  undertaken  expressly  for 
the  purpose  of  observing  nnd  procuring  different  specimens  of 
birds,  and  which  lasted  four  months,  as  I  followed  the  windings 
of  that  great  river,  floating  down  it  only  a  few  miles  daily.  During 
that  period,  I  and  my  companion  counted  upwards  of  fifty  of  these 
hawks,  nnd  killed  several ;  one  of  which  was  found  to  contain  in  iis 
stomach  bones  of  birds,  a  few  downy  feathers,  the  gizzard  of  a  teal, 
and  the  eyes  and  many  scales  of  a  fish. 

"  Whilst  in  quest  of  food,  the  Great-footed  Hawk  will  frequently 
alight  on  the  highest  dead  branch  of  a  tree,  in  the  immediate  neigh- 
borhood of  such  wet  or  marshy  ground  as  the  common  snipe  resorts 
to  by  preference.  His  head  is  seen  moving  in  short  starts,  as  if  he 
were  counting  every  little  space  below ;  and,  while  so  engaged,  the 
moment  he  espies  a  snipe,  down  he  darts  like  an  arrow,  making  a 
rustling  noise  with  his  wings,  that  may  be  heard  several  hundred 
yards  off,  seizes  the  snipe,  and  flies  away  to  some  near  wood  to 
devour  it. 

"  It  is  a  cleanly  bird,  in  respect  to  feeding.  No  sooner  is  the 
prey  dead,  than  the  Falcon  turns  it  belly  upwards,  and  begins  td 


i 


10 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND 


CY. 


i 


' 


pluck  it  with  his  hill,  which  he  docs  very  c.i,.  itly,  hi)Idiiig  it  menn- 
time  quite  fast  in  liis  tuloiis ;  and,  as  soon  i.s  a  portion  is  cleared  of 
fcatiiers,  tears  tlie  Hcsh  in  large  pieces,  and  swallows  it  with  great 
avidity. 

"  If  it  is  a  large  bird,  he  leaves  the  refuse  part^ ;  but,  if  small, 
swallows  the  whole  in  pieces.  Should  ho  he  approached  by  an 
enemv,  he  rises  with  it,  and  flies  off  into  the  interior  of  the  woods; 
or,  if  he  happens  to  he  in  a  meadow,  to  some  considerable  distance, 
ho  being  more  wnry  at  such  times  than  when  he  has  alighted  ou  a 
tree."  —  Auduhon. 

The  following  very  complcto  description  of  the  breeding 
liablta  of  the  Great-footed  Hawk  is  from  the  pen  of  J.  A. 
Allen,  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  one  of  our  most  enthusiastic 
students,  published  in  the  "  Proceedings  of  the  Esse.x  Insti- 
tute," vol.  IV. :  — 

"  All  accounts  agree  that  the  nest  is  placed  on  almost  inaccessible 
cliffs;  and  often  it  can  only  be  approached  by  a  person  being  let 
down  by  a  rope  from  above.  The  old  bills  are  represented  as  bold 
in  the  defence  of  their  nest,  approaching  so  near  as  generally  to  be 
easily  shot.  They  arrive  early  at  their  nesting-place ;  and,  though 
they  often  bestow  no  labor  in  the  construction  of  a  nest,  beyond  the 
scraping  of  a  slight  hollow  in  the  ground,  they  defend  their  chosen 
eyrie  for  weeks  before  the  eggs  are  laid,  and  are  known  to  return 
for  several  years  to  the  same  site.  Incubation  commences  very 
early,  the  young  having  been  found  in  the  nest  at  Mount  Tom,  May 
30,  nearly  fledged,*  and  on  Talcott  ISIountain,  in  the  same  condi- 
tion, June  1  ;  so  that  the  laying  of  the  eggs  must  occur  by  the  last 
of  Mardi,  or  very  early  in  April.  The  number  of  eggs  has  been 
known  in  several  instances  to  be  four. 

"  Mountains  Tom  and  Ilolyoke,  in  Massachusetts,  afford  several 
localities  favorable  for  the  nidification  of  the  Duck  Hawk;  and 
sometimes  several  pairs,  and  probably  usually  more  than  one,  breed 
about  these  mo'intaiiis.''    About  the  last  of  May,  18G3,  Mr.  Bennett 

1  According  to  R.  B.  Ilildreth,  Ksq ,  of  Springfield,  wlio  visited  this  nest  May 
80,  1861,  nnd  noted  the  fact.  The  nest  on  Talcott  ^luuntain,  Conn.,  was  found  the 
same  season,  and  first  visited  only  a  few  days  later,  —  about  Juno  1,  18G1. 

*  Since  the  nbovc  was  written,  I  have  been  innirmcd  by  Mr.  Bennett,  that  a 
pair  of  these  hawks  actually  raised  their  young  on  .Mount  Tom  in  the  summer  of 
1S64,  notwithstanding  one  pair  was  broken  up  the  same  season. 


(JIIKAT-KOOTKI)    HAWK. 


11 


Baw  five  ndult  birds  of  this  species  about  Mount  Tom.  Dr.  W. 
Wood,  of  East-WindHor  Ilill,  Conn.,  informs  me,  liint  two  pnirs  of 
Duck  Hnwks  wore  evidently  breeding  on  Tiilcott  Mountain  in  the 
pummer  of  180.'J. 

^^  Dismver;/  of  the  J'jffffS  on  Mount  Tom,  —  Although  the  Duck 
Hawk  has  been  long  known  to  breed  at  the  loenlities  in  Masflachii- 
Betts  mentioned  above,  those  conversant  witli  the  fact  were  not 
aware  that  any  special  interest  was  attached  to  it,  or  tliat  its  egg» 
and  breeding  iiabits  were  but  very  little  known  to  ornitlioh)gists ; 
and  80,  until  very  recently,  no  particular  efforts  have  been  made  to 
oblain  the  eggs.  Mr.  llennett,  becoming  aware  of  this,  resolved 
to  procure  the  eigs.  lie  accordingly  visited  Mount  Tom  for  this 
purpose,  April  7,  of  the  present  year,  when  he  searched  the  whole 
ridge  of  the  mountain,  discovered  the  old  birds,  and  the  j)articnlar 
part  they  most  frequented,  and  also  the  site  of  a  nest  where  young 
had  been  raised.  The  old  birds  were  continually  near  this  9pot» 
and  manifested  much  solicitude  when  it  was  approached,  often 
flying  within  six  or  eight  rods ;  and  once  the  female  came  within 
three,  screaming  and  thrusting  out  her  talons  witli  an  expression  of 
great  rage  and  fierceness.  The  birds  did  not  appear  at  all  shy, 
being  easily  approached  quite  near  to ;  thougli,  in  walking,  the  crack- 
ing of  sticks  and  the  clinking  of  the  splinters  of  trap-rock  made  no 
little  noise.  One  of  the  birds  appeared  to  keep  close  to  the  eyrie ; 
and  both  would  approach  whenever  it  was  visited,  screaming  at  and 
menacing  the  intruder,  notwithstanding  that  at  that  time  there  were 
no  eggs,  as  was  afterwards  proved.  Mr.  Bennett,  suspecting  that 
incubation  had  already  commenced,  visited  the  locality  again  on  the 
9th,  but  only  saw  the  old  nest ;  the  birds  behaving  as  before.  On 
April  19,  ten  days  later,  he  made  another  visit;  aud  creeping 
carefully  to  the  summit  of  the  cliff,  at  a  point  near  the  eyrie 
already  spoken  of,  he  «aw  the  female,  ou  looking  over  the  cliff, 
sitting  on  the  nest,  and  but  five  or  six  yards  distant.  She  eyed  him 
fiercely  for  an  instant,  and  then,  scrambling  from  the  nest  to  the 
edge  of  the  narrow  shelf  supj)orting  it,  launched  into  the  air:  iu  a 
twinkling,  ]Mr.  Bennett's  unerring  aim  sent  iier  tumbling  dead  at 
the  foot  of  the  precipice,  several  hundred  feet  below.  The  nest 
contained  four  eggs,  which  were  soon  s^afely  secured,  and  the  body 
of  the  female  was  obtained  from  the  foot  of  the  cliff.  The  male, 
soon  coming  about,  was  shot  at ;  but  he  was  too  shy  to  come  within 


i! 
iS 

'1 


IS 


OIINITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOOV. 


rnnpo,  cxcppt  oncp,  wliili;  tlit;  jtwn  was  lu'in<»  rclomlcd.  The  eggs 
WfTo  all  laid  altor  ISIr.  Hi'iiiictl's  vicit,  April  1)  j  and  their  coiUeiil!! 
slinwcd,  April  19,  tlmt  thoy  lind  boon  incubated  but  a  day  or  two. 
Inciiliadiiti  scemx,  in  iliis  cnHc,  to  liavo  commenced  Hcveral  weeks 
later  tlmn  usual,  wliiili  may  be  owiii;;  to  the  late  snows  and  unusual 
coldness  of  the  weatlier  this  year,  diMing  the  first  half  of  April. 

"  Lncntlon  and  Dimriptlon  of  the  Eyrie.  —  The  situation  of  the 
eyrie  was  near  i\w  liij;licst  part  of  the  mountain,  about  one-third  of 
the  li!n;;th  of  the  mountain  from  the  south  end,  on  a  narrow  shelf 
in  the  rock,  ei«»ht  or  ton  fiet  from  the  top  of  n  nearly  perpendiculnr 
clitr,  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred  feet  in  heifjht,  and  was 
inacoessililo  except  to  a  bold  climber,  and  at  one  particular  [mint. 
The  nest  was  merely  a  sli^^ht  excavation,  sulHcient  to  contain  the 
epgs :  no  accessory  material  had  been  added.  The  site  had  been 
previously  occupied,  and  prolmbly  for  several  years  ;  and,  for  weeks 
before  the  cprj^s  were  laid,  was  carefully  guarded  by  the  bold  and 
watchful  birds. 

'^Description  of  the  Eggs.  —  The  eggs,  four  in  number,  as  already 
stated,  diflfer  greatly  both  in  sliape  and  coloring ;  the  extremes  in 
either  being  widely  diverse.  They  are  described  in  detail,  and 
probably  in  the  same  order  as  laid. 

"No.  1.  Longer  diameter,  2.18  inches;  shorter  diameter,  1.71 
inches :  the  shorter  diameter  is  .SS.*)  the  longer.  The  form  is 
somewhat  ovoid,  one  end  being  slightly  larger  than  the  other ;  but 
neither  end  is  very  pointed:  the  point  of  greatest  transverse 
diameter  is  .G45  the  length  of  the  egg  from  the  smallest  end.  In 
form,  this  egg  is  very  nearly  like  the  egg  from  Greenland,  figured 
by  Dr.  Brewer  in  the  '  North- American  Oology'  (pt.  I.  plate  II. 
fig.  11).  The  general  color  is  chocolate-brown,  darker  and  more 
dense  and  uniform  about  the  ends,  the  part  about  the  middle  being 
lighter,  varied  with  small  irregular  blotches  and  specks  of  a  darker 
tint  than  the  ground-color.  The  color  of  the  smaller  end  is  nearly 
a  uniform  dull-red  ochre.  There  is  also  an  irregular  belt  of  scat- 
tered and  apparently  very  superficial  blotches  of  very  dark  brown, 
or  nearly  black.  Something  similar  is  often  noticed  on  the  eggs 
of  many  birds  that  lay  brown  or  speckled  eggs. 

"No.  2.  Longer  diameter,  2.21  inches;  shorter  diameter,  1.67 
inches  :  shorter  diameter,  .755  the  longer.  Form,  nearly  an  ellip- 
Boid,  the  point  of  greatest  transverse  diameter  being  scarcely  to 


UUKAT-FUUTEU    ilAWK. 


18 


one  Hide  of  tlitt  middlo  (ol  thu  length  of  tliu  cjjg  from  ihu  HinuUvr 
end) ;  oikU  vury  nearly  e<|iuil,  und  not  very  pointed.  Thu  distri* 
butiou  of  tho  color  in  tliiti  m  neiirest  of  any  of  tho  four  C)(gfi 
before  ino  to  that  (loured  by  Dr.  IJrewer,  und  only  dilVers  from  it 
in  tint.  One  end  (thu  Hnnilhr?)  in  very  light  reddiiih,  or  reddiish- 
white,  becoming  lighter  horn  thu  middle  towiinU  thix  end,  ubuut 
which  it  is  the  liglitcHt,  and  thinly  mnrked  with  irregular  mottling^ 
of  (link  reddish  chocolate,  which  jux'sent  a  very  Huperlicial  grayish 
tinge  that  is  very  characteristic;  the  other  end  (tho  larger?)  is  of 
a  uniform  dark  ferruginous-brown  or  dull-red  ochre,  varied  towards 
tho  middle  by  the  appearunco  of  tho  light  ground-color  between 
the  there  scarcely  confluent  blotches  of  dark-brown  that  give  the 
uniform  deep  tint  towards  und  about  this  end. 

"  No.  3.  Longer  diameter,  2.32  inches  ;  shorter  diameter,  1.70 
inches :  shorter  diameter,  .733  the  longer.  Form  ovoid,  tho 
smuller  end  elongated  and  much  pointed.  This  egg  is  the  longest, 
and  much  larger  in  })roportion  to  its  diameter  than  either  of  tho 
others.  The  point  of  greatest  diameter  is  .656  tho  length  of 
the  egg  from  tho  smaller  end.  lu  this  specimen,  thu  contrast 
between  the  ground-color  and  the  markings  becomes  very  strong ; 
the  grouud-color,  which  is  seen  chiefly  in  a  broad  bund  about  tho 
middle  of  the  egg,  being  white  or  reddish-white ;  and  the  markings 
very  dark  reddish-brown,  nearly  approaching  purple,  and  arc  (piito 
uniformly  distributed  in  blotches  of  various  sizen,  the  largu-t  being 
near  tiie  larger  end  of  tho  egg :  the  sub-murkiugs  are  of  a  lightei 
reddish-brown,  and  are  more  blended. 

"No.  4.  Longei  diameter,  2.16  inches;  shorter  diameter,  1.G5 
inches:  shorter  diameter,  .765  the  longer.  Fornr.  regular  ovoid, 
the  smaller  end  rather  more  pointed  than  the  same  in  No.  1 ;  point 
of  greatest  transverse  dianjeter  .60  the  length  of  the  egg  from  the 
smaller  end.  In  this  specimen,  the  contrast  of  the  ground-color 
with  the  markings  is  very  striking,  especially  when  compared  with 
specimens  No.  1  and  No.  2 ;  and  the  most  peculiar  part  is,  that  tho 
greater  end  of  the  egg,  which  in  the  eggs  of  most  birds  is  the  end 
usually  most  subject  to  markings  and  to  the  greatest  depth  of  color, 
is  white,  sprinkled  sparingly  with  reddish  spooks,  while  tho  smaller 
end  is  deep,  bright  brick-red,  here  and  there  relieved  by  small 
specks  and  patches  of  white  ground-color.  About  the  middle  of 
tho  egg,  the  colors  are  in  more  equal  proportions ;  the  white  patches 


4 


u 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


beconiiiijr  liir^cr  on  the  smaller  eud  towards  the  middle,  and  tlic 
rod  patclies  on  tlie  larj^cr  end  increase  towards  th<!  same  point, 
where  the  colors  meet  and  bncome  mixed  in  irregular  patches  of 
various  sizes,  from  mere  dots  to  blotches.  The  smaller  end  has  a 
few  streaks  and  blotches  of  dark-purple  overl^'ing  apparently  the 
other  colors,  as  in  specimen  No.  1. 

"  These  specimens  are  very  interesting,  as  indicating  the  great 
amount  of  variation  to  whidi  the  American  Peregrine'-  egas  are 
subject;  and  especially  so  since  they  are  all  the  product  of  one  pair 
of  birds,  laid  in  one  set,  and  identitied  as  such  beyond  question. 
In  coloration,  a  transition  can  be  traced  between  the  extreme  in  the 
order  they  are  numbered,  which  is  undoubtedly  the  order  in  which 
they  were  laid,  as  indicated  by  the  tliljkness  of  the  shell  as  well  as 
Iiy  the  deplii  of  color. 

TABLE  OF   COMrAHATlVE   .MKASUllKMEMS. 

Prop,  of  hrcndlh     Point  of  ffr'-ntcnt  trniin%'orM 
Length.  Urcadth'  tu  k'ngtU.  dianiutur  from  ainall  enij, 

.Vo.  1 2.18  in.  1.71  in.  0.7S5  in.  0.640  length  of  the  egjf. 

N'o.  2 2.21  „  1.67  „  0.756  „  0.540  „  „  „  „ 

No.  3 2.32  „  1.70  „  0.733  „  0.650  „  „  „  „ 

No.  4 2.10  „  1.65  „  0.705  „  0.600  „  „  „  „ 

Average 2.22  „  1.68  „  0.750  „  0.609  „  „  „  „ 

Greater  extreme  .    .    .  2.32  „  1.71  „  0.785  „  0.656  „  „  „  ,, 

Le.-fser  extreme     .    .    .  2.16  „  1.65  „  0.732  „  0.540  „  „  „  „ 

Amount  of  variation     .  0.16  „  0.06  „  0.053  „  0.116  „  „  „  „ 

Dr.  Brewer's  specimen  .  2.00  „  1.56  „  0.780  „ 


"  From  the  above  table,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  range  of  varia- 
lion  in  the  four  specimens  in  length  is  .16  of  an  inch,  or  nearly 
seven  and  a  half  per  cent  of  the  average  length;  in  breadth,  .06 
of  an  inch,  or  about  three  and  a  half  per  cent  of  the  average 
breadth :  in  the  proportion  of  breadth  to  length,  about  fifteen  per 
cent  of  the  length,  or  nearly  twenty  per  cent  of  the  average  pro- 
portion. Tiie  variation  in  the  position  of  the  point  of  greatest 
transverse  diameter  is  about  eleven  and  a  half  per  cent  of  the 
whole  length  of  tiie  egg ;  the  form  of  the  eggs  varying  from  an 
ellipsoid  in  No.  2  to  an  ovoid,  which,  in  No.  3,  has  the  smaller  end 
considerably  elongated.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  egg  meas 
ured  by  Dr.  Brewer  is  considerably  smaller  than  my  smallest 
specimen,  and  that  the  proportion  of  breadth  to  length  scarcely 
differs  from  the  same  proportion  in  No.  1. 


GREAT-roOTED    HAWK. 


l") 


•'In  comparing  the  eggs  ot"  tlie  American  and  the  European 
Peregrine  Falcons,  Dr.  Brewer  observes:  'It  [tiie  American] 
closely  resembles  a  variety  of  the  eggs  of  tlie  European  species, 
but  seems  to  present  differences  siitRcieutly  well  marked  to  be 
regarded  as>  specific.  .  .  .  Tiie  ground-colors  of  both  American  and 
European  are  a  reddisii-ycllow ;  and  both  are  thici<ly  covered  with 
fine  dottings  of  chocolate  and  ferruginous  brown,  diffused  over  the 
\\  hole  egg  in  nearly  equal  degree,  and  to  such  an  extent  as  nearly 
to  conceal  the  ground.  The  length  of  the  American  egg  is  slightly 
less ;  but  it  is  of  equal  or  greater  capacity,  and  varies  in  its  mark- 
ings from  all  the  European  specimens  that  I  have  ever  met  with. 
Theae  variations,  though  readily  traceable  by  the  eye,  are  not  so 
easily  described.  The  shades  of  coloring  in  both  are  closely  alike : 
(lie  variation  consists  more  in  the  distribution  of  these  markings.  In 
the  European  specimens,  the  fine  jnarkings  of  chocolate  are  distri- 
buted with  nearly  exact  uniformity.  In  the  American,  the  secondary 
colorings  are  now  more  thickly  and  now  more  thinly  diffused,  —  here 
leaving  the  ground-color  nearly  unchanged ;  tiiere  be<()ming  con- 
fluent, and  blending  into  waving  lines,  blotches,  and  bold  dashes. 
The  egg,  in  consequence,  presents  a  more  varied  appearance.  These 
markings  are  also  in  greater  proportion  around  the  larger  end  of  the 
egg,  and  the  blotches  are  of  a  f'eeper  shade ;  so  there  is  a  variation 
in  the  shading  between  the  smaller  and  larger  extremities  not  no- 
ticeabla  in  any  European  egg  that  I  have  met  with.' 

"The  amount  of  variation  presented  by  the  eggs  of  the  Duck 
Hawk,  described  above,  shows  that  but  little  dept'ndeiice  can  be 
placed  on  the  eggs  in  deciding  specific  differences.  The  eggs  men- 
tioned by  Dr.  Brewer  are  not  much  different  from  those  of  the 
true  European  Peregrine.  One  or  two  of  the  specimens  bef'oro 
me  considerably  resemble  Dr.  Brewer's,  and  likewise  eggs  of  tho 
European  species,  as  figured  and  described  by  authors,  while 
tho  others  are  very  different,  one  being  remarkably  so. 

"  The  eggs  of  the  different  species  of  this  group  of  Falcons 
seem  to  resemble  each  other  greatly,  and  to  be  subject  to  consider- 
able variation  in  the  same  species.  In  the  manner  of  laying  the 
eggs,  there  is  also  a  similarity,  as  might  be  expected  among  ciosely 
allied  species ;  the  same  species  sometimes  laying  them  on  the  bare 
rock?,  and  again  in  a  bulky  nost  of  sticks  and  other  coarse  materi- 
als.    The  nest  of  this  species  visited  on  Talcott  Mountain,  Conn., 


k 
33 


16 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


was  of  the  latter  kind  ;  wliile  on  Mount  Ilolyoke  the  eggs  were 
laid  on  the  bare  earth. 

"  Audubon  thus  describes  the  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Duck  Hawk, 
as  observed  by  him  at  Labrador :  — 

"'I  Iiave  nowhere  seen  it  so  abundant  as  along  the  high,  rooky  sliores  of 
Labrador  and  Newfoundhuul,  wliere  I  procured  several  adult  individuals 
of  botli  sexes,  as  well  as  some  eggs  and  young.  Tiie  nests  were  placed  on 
tlie  shelves  of  rouks,  a  few  feet  from  the  top,  and  were  flat,  and  rudely  con- 
strutted  of  sticks  and  moss.  In  some  were  found  four  eggs,  in  others  on'y 
two,  and  in  one  five.  In  one  nest  only  a  single  young  bird  was  found.  The 
eggs  vary  considerably  in  color  and  size,  which,  I  think,  is  owing  to  a  differ- 
ence of  age  in  the  females ;  the  eggs  of  young  birds  being  smaller.  The 
average  length  of  four  was  two  niches,  their  breadth  one  and  five-eighths. 
They  are  somewliat  rounded,  though  larger  at  one  end  than  the  other;  then- 
general  and  most  common  color  is  a  reddish  or  rusty  yellowish-brown, 
spotted  and  confusedly  marked  with  darker  tints  of  the  same,  here  and  there 
intermixed  with  lighter.  The  young  are  at  first  thickly  covered  with  soft 
white  down.  ...  In  several  instiuices,  we  found  these  falcons  breeding  on 
the  same  ledge  with  cormorants,  Phalacrocomx  carlo.' "  1 

"  Audubon  adds  that  he  is  perfectly  convinced  that  the  Great- 
footed  Falcon,  or  Duck  Hawk  of  the  later  ornithologists,  is  not 
different  from  the  Peregrine  Falcon  of  Europe.  '  Since  my  first 
acquaintance  witii  this  species,'  he  says,  '  I  have  observed  nothing 
in  its  habits,  form,  or  marking  on  one  continent  that  is  different 
from  what  is  found  on  the  other.'  Since  the  difference  in  breeding 
habits  supposed  to  exist  when  Bonaparte  separated  them  in  1838, 
and  which  influenced  his  judgment  in  the  matter,  has  been  found 
to  be  not  real,  tiiere  seems  to  be  nothing  whatever  in  the  breeding 
habits  or  in  the  appearance  of  the  eggs  to  indicate  specific  differ- 
ence between  the  American  and  European  birds." 


HYPOTKIORCHIS  COLUMBAEIUS.  —  Gray. 

The  Pigeon  Hawk. 

Fdco  cohimbiriiis.  Linn.neus.     Sypt.  Nnt ,  I.  128  (17G6). 
Ftilco  intennixtiis,  Daiidin.     Traite  d'Orn..  II.  141  (1800). 
Falco  temcrnrius,  Awluhon.    Oru.  Biog.,  I.  381  (1831), 
Falco  Aiuluboni.    Blackwall,  Researches,  Zotil.,  1834. 

Description. 
Adult  Male. — Entire  upper  parts  bluish-slate  color,  every  feather  with  a  black 
longitudinal  line;  forehead  and  throat  white;  other  under  parts  pale  yellowish  or 

1  Orn,  Biog.,  vol.  V.  p.  306. 


THE   PIGEON   HAWK. 


17 


reddish  white;  every  feather  with  n  lor.gitiulinal  line  of  browiiish-blaik ;  tibiiv  light 
ferriigini'us,  with  lines  of  black ;  c  uiils  black,  tipped  with  ashy  white ;  tail  light-bluish 
ashy,  tipped  with  white  and  with  a  wide  subterniinal  band  of  black,  and  with 
several  other  transverse  narrower  bands  of  black;  inner  webs  nearly  white;  cere 
and  legs  yellow;  bill  blue. 

Younger.  —  Entire  upper  plumage  dusky-brown,  quite  light  in  some  specimens, 
and  with  a  tinge  of  ashy;  head  above,  with  narrow  stripes  of  dark  brown  and  ferru- 
ginous, and  in  some  specimens  many  irregular  spots  and  edgings  -f  tlio  latter  color 
on  the  other  upper  parts;  forehead  and  entire  under  parts  dull-white,  the  latter 
with  longitudinal  stripes  of  light-brown;  sides  and  flanks  light-brown,  with  pairs  of 
circular  spots  of  white;  tibia;  dull  white,  with  dashes  of  brown;  tail  pale-brown, 
with  about  six  transverse  bands  of  white;  cere  and  legs  greenish-yellow. 

1  oiinff.  —  Upper  plumage  brownish-black,  white  of  the  forehead  and  under  parts 
mora  deeply  tinged  with  reddish-yellow;  dark  stripes  wider  than  the  preceding; 
sides  and  flanks  with  wide  transverse  bands  of  brownish-black,  and  with  circular 
spots  of  3'ellowish-white ;  quills  black ;  tail  brownish-black,  tipped  with  white,  and 
with  about  four  bands  of  white;  cere  and  tijet  greenish-ycUow;  iris  dark-hazel. 

Total  length,  female  twelve  to  fourteen  inches;  wing,  eight  to  nine  inches;  tail, 
tive  to  Ave  and  a  half  inches.  Male,  total  length,  ten  to  eleven  inches;  wing,  seven 
and  a  half  to  eight  inches ;  tail,  tive  inches. 


This  species  is  a  pretty  common  spring  and  fall  visitor  mi 
all  the  New-England  States,  and  is  sometimes  a  resident 
in  the  southern  sections  of  these  States  through  the  winter ; 
specimens  being  occasionally  taken  as  late  as  January,  in 
mild  seasons.  This  bird  is  one  of  the  most  destructive  of 
our  rapacia :  he  kills  all  the  smaller  birds,  robins,  black- 
birds, sparrows  in  great  n\imbers,  and  even  attacks  the 
wild  pigeon  and  dove,  which  he  is  almost  always  able  to 
overtake  and  capture,  as  he  is  possessed  of  very  great 
rapidity  of  flight.  I  have  seen  one  of  these  hawks  make  a 
pounce  at  a  sparrow  that  was  singing  on  a  low  Imsh ;  and 
the  bird  happily  eluding  his  clutch,  as  quick  as  a  flash  of 
light,  he  turned,  and  piirsued  and  captured  a  robin  that  had 
taken  flight  at  his  first  appearance,  and  was  already  quite  a 
considerable  distance  off:  as  the  robin  is  well  known  to 
liave  great  speed  of  flight,  this  circumstance  well  illustrates 
the  velocity  of  this  hawk. 

The  flight  of  the  bird  consists  of  a  scries  of  flaps  of  the 
wings,  with  but  a  very  few  intervals  of  soaring :  in  pursuing 
the  wild  pigeon,  the  strokes  of  the  wings  of  the  two  birds 
are  nearly  simiiltaneous.    As  he  strikes  his  prey,  he  almost 

2 


n 


18 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


always,  instead  of  clutching  it  as  it  falls,  alights  after  it  has 
fallen,  in  tlie  same  manner  as  the  Great-footed  Hawk.  I 
liavo  noticed  the  same  fact  with  the  Red-tailed  Hawk ;  the 
victim  seems  to  fall  dead,  or,  at  any  rate,  perfectly  incapable 
of  motion :  wl  other  this  is  the  result  of  a  kind  of  mesmer- 
ism, as  it  were,  similar  to  the  influence  of  the  cats  on  their 
prey,  or  the  hawk  transfixes  his  quarry  throiigh  the  vitals,  1 
am  unable  to  say. 

The  Pigeon  Hawk,  in  alighting  on  a  branch  or  other 
object,  always  descends  below  the  level  of  it,  and  rises  up; 
and  nsuiilly  turns  abruptly  about,  and  fiices  the  direction 
from  which  it  came,  as  soon  as  it  has  struck  its  perch. 
This  habit  is  observal)le  in  many  of  the  other  hawks. 

"While  perching,  the  tail  is  often  flirted  up  and  down, 
and  the  wings  are  partially  opened  and  shut  in  a  nervous 
manner,  as  if  the  bird  were  anxious  to  be  off"  again  in  the 
pursuit  of  game. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  it  breeds  in  New  England, 
although  I  do  not  remember  of  an  authenticaied  instance. 
I  have  no  egg  of  this  bird  in  my  collection,  and  have  never 
met  with  its  nest.  There  seems  considerable  confusion 
regarding  this  species,  both  as  to  its  nesting-place  and  its 
eggs.  Mr.  Ilutchins  says  ("  Fauna  Boreali  Americana," 
II.  80)  it  "  makes  its  nest  on  rocks  and  in  hollow  trees, 
of  sticks  and  grass,  lined  with  feathers ;  laying  from  two  to 
■four  white  eggs,  marked  wnth  red  spots."  Audubon,  in 
describing  the  eggs,  says  ("  Birds  of  America ")  :  "  Mr. 
Hutchins's  description  of  the  eggs  of  this  bird  is  gi'eatly 
at  variance  with  my  own  observations.  The  eggs,  in  three 
instances  which  occurred  at  Labr.ador,  were  five ;  they 
measured  an  inch  and  three-quarters  in  length,  an  inch  and 
a  quarter  in  breadth,  and  were  rather  elongated ;  their 
ground-color  a  dull  yellowish-brown,  thickly  clouded  with 
irregular  blotches  of  dull,  dark  reddish-brown."  Dr. 
Brewer  says  ("  Synopsis  of  Birds  of  North  America,"  as 
an  appendix  to  Wilson's  "  Ornithology  "")  it  "  nests  in  low 


I'LATK   J. 


Fig.  1.  Pigeon  Hbw1«,  H;/polriorchis  columbarius.    Oray. 

,,     2.  Spnrrow  Iliiwli,  Tinnunrulux  sparverius.     Vieillot. 

„     3.  Simrp-slilimed  Hawk,  Arripitrrfuseus.     Bonaparte. 

,,     4.  Kii(l-.ilinul(l(!recl  Hawk,  Biiteo  tineatuf.    Jardine. 

,,     5.  Ilroail-wiiiKPil  Hawk,  Buttu  Ptnnsylfonicus.     Donaparte. 


fir-trccs,  t\ 
yellowish-b: 
A  single 
and  figure 
the  above  ( 
in  this  voh 
of  rapacioii 
lengtli,  and 


ralco  sparvei 
Fnlco  domim 
Falco  gracili 


Adult.  —  Fro 
the  neck  bchiiK 
from  before  the 
rump  and  tail, '. 
of  the  same  rufi 
the  upper  parts 
black ;  quills  br 
white,  frequcntl; 
outer  frequentlj 
legs  yellow;  ba 
very  few,  or  ent 
times  wanting. 

Younger  Ma 
with  numerous 
longitudinal  str 
external  feather 
wanting. 

Ymng,  —  All 
brownish-black ; 
of  black ;  under 
iris  very  dark  hi 

Tola!  lougth 
to  five  and  a  ha 

This  bcai 
the  New-Ell 
a  resident  t 
epecios  in 


THK  SPARROW   HAWK. 


19 


fir-trccs,  twelve  feet  from   the   ground ;    eggs  three,   dull 
yellowish-brown,  with  dark  reddish-brown  blotches." 

A  single  egg  before  me,  kindly  loaned  for  descriptions 
and  figure  by  George  A.  Boardman  of  Milltown,  Me.,  is  of 
the  above  color.  It  is  admirably  figured,  fig,  1,  plate  I., 
in  this  volume.  It  is  a  trifle  more  pointed  than  tlie  eggs 
of  rapacious  birds  usually  are,  and  measures  1.50  inch  in 
length,  and  1.14  inch  at  its  greatest  breadth. 


TINNUNCDLDS  SPARVEEIUS Wei/tot 

The  Sparrow  Hawk. 

ralco  sparverius,  Linnoeus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  128  (1766). 

Falco  dominicenses,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  285  (1788). 

I'alco  gracilis,  cinnavioninus,  and  isabelUnus.    Sw.  Cab.  Cy.,  p.  281  (1838). 

Description. 

Adull.  — Frontal  band  and  space,  including  the  eyes  and  throat,  white;  spot  on 
the  neck  behind,  two  others  on  each  side  of  the  neck,  and  line  runninff  downwards 
from  before  the  eye,  black;  spot  on  the  top  of  tlie  head,  the  neck  behind,  back, 
rump  and  tail,  light  rufous  or  cinnamon  colo\ ;  under  parts  generally  a  paler  shade 
of  the  same  rufous  as  the  back,  frequently  nearly  white,  but  sometimes  as  dark  as 
the  upper  parts,  and  always  with  more  or  less  numerous  circular  or  oblong  spots  of 
black ;  quills  brownish-black,  with  white  bars  on  their  inner  webs ;  tail  tiptied  with 
white,  frequently  tinged  with  rufous,  and  with  a  broad  subterminal  band  r  black, 
outer  frequently  white,  tinged  with  ashy,  and  barred  with  black;  bill  light-blue; 
legs  yellow ;  back  generally  with  transverse  stripes  of  black,  but  frequently  with 
very  few,  or  entirely  without ;  rufous  spot  on  the  head,  variable  in  size,  and  some- 
times wanting. 

Younger  Male.  —  Upper  parts  as  above;  wing  coverts  and  tail  ferruginous  red, 
with  numerous  transverse  bands  of  brownish-black;  under  parts  with  numerous 
longitudinal  stripes,  and  on  the  sides  with  transverse  bands  of  brownish-black; 
external  feathers  of  the  tail  palest;  broad  subterminal  band  on  the  tail,  obscure  or 
wanting. 

Young, — All  the  rufous  parts  of  the  plumage  with  wider  transverse  bands  of 
brownish-black;  wing  coverts,  dark  bluish-cinereous,  with  large  circular  spots 
of  black ;  under  parts  with  longitudinal  stripes,  and  large  circular  spots  of  black ; 
iris  very  dark  hazel. 

Total  length,  eleven  to  twelve  inches;  wing,  seven  to  seven  and  a  half;  tail,  five 
to  five  and  a  half  inches. 

This  beautiful  little  hawk  is  a  summer  inhabitant  of  all 
the  New-England  States,  and,  in  the  more  southern  districts, 
a  resident  throughout  the  year.  It  is  not  a  very  common 
species  in  any  but  the  most  northern  sections  of  these 


■m 


20 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOOV, 


states,  but  in  tlicsc  localities  it  is  the  most  abundant  of 
the  birds  of  prey.  1  can  add  but  little  to  Wilson's  descrip- 
tion tliat  will  be  of  interest:  it  is  as  follows  :  — 


"  Tlie  habits  and  manners  of  this  bird  are  well  known.  It  flies 
rather  irregularly,  occasionally  snspending  itself  in  the  air,  hover- 
ing over  a  particnlar  spot  for  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  shooting 
off'  in  another  direction.  It  perches  on  the  top  of  a  dead  tree  or 
pole,  in  the  middle  of  a  field  or  meadow,  and,  as  it  alights,  shuts  its 
long  wings  so  suddenly  that  they  seem  instantly  to  disappear:  it 
sits  here  in  an  almost  perpendicular  position,  sometimes  for  an  hour 
at  a  time,  frequently  jerking  its  tail,  and  reconnoitring  the  grouTid 
below,  in  every  direction,  for  mice,  lizards,  &c.  It  approaches  the 
farmhouse,  particularly  in  the  morning,  skulking  about  the  barn- 
yard for  mice  or  young  chickens.  It  frequently  plunges  into 
a  thicket  after  small  birds,  as  if  by  random,  but  always  with  a 
particular,  and  generally  a  fatal  aim.  One  day  I  observed  a  bird 
of  this  species  perched  on  the  highest  top  of  a  large  poplar,  on 
the  skirf-i  of  the  wood,  and  was  in  the  act  of  raising  the  gun  to 
my  eye,  A'hen  he  swept  down,  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow,  into  a 
thicket  of  briers,  about  thirty  yards  off",  where  I  shot  him  dead, 
and,  on  coming  up,  found  a  small  field-sparrow  quivering  in  his 
grasp.  Both  our  aims  had  been  taken  in  the  same  instant ;  and, 
unfortunately  for  him,  both  were  fotal.  It  's  particularly  fond  of 
watching  along  hedge-rows  and  in  orchards,  where  small  birds 
usually  resort.  Wlien  grasshoppers  are  plenty,  they  form  a  con- 
s'derable  part  of  its  food. 


THE  SPAUBOW   UAWK. 


21 


•Though  small  snakes,  mice,  lizards,  &c.,  are  favorite  morsels 
with  this  active  bird,  yet  we  are  not  to  suppose  it  altogether  desti- 
tute of  delicacy  in  feeding.  It  will  seldom  or  v.oyer  eat  of  any 
thing  that  it  has  not  itself  killed ;  and  even  that,  if  not  (as  epicures 
would  term  it)  in  <jood  eating  order,  is  sometimes  rejected.  A  very 
respectable  friend,  througlv  the  medium  of  Mr.  Uartram,  informs 
me,  that  one  morning  he  observed  one  of  these  hawks  dart  down 
on  the  ground,  and  seize  a  mouse,  which  he  carried  to  a  fence-post, 
where,  after  examining  it  for  some  time,  he  left  it,  and,  a  little 
while  after,  pounced  upon  another  mouse,  which  he  instantly  car- 
ried off  to  his  nest  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree  hard  by.  The  gentle- 
man, anxious  to  know  why  the  hawk  had  rejected  the  first  mouse, 
went  up  to  it,  and  found  it  to  be  almost  covered  with  lice,  and 
greatly  -imaciated.  Here  was  not  only  delicacy  of  taste,  but  sound 
and  prudent  reasoning :  "  If  I  carry  this  to  my  nest,"  thought  he, 
"  it  will  fill  it  with  vermin,  and  hardly  be  worth  eating." 

"  The  Blue  Jays  have  a  particular  antipathy  to  this  bird,  and 
frequently  inklt  it  by  following  and  imitating  its  notes  so  exactly 
as  to  deceive  even  those  well  acquainted  with  both.  In  return  for 
all  this  abuse,  the  Hawk  contents  himself  with  now  and  then 
feasting  on  the  plumpest  of  his  persecutors,  who  are,  therefore,  in 
perpetual  dread  of  him ;  and  yet,  through  some  strange  infatuation, 
or  from  fear  that,  if  they  lose  sight  of  him,  he  may  attack  them 
unawares,  the  Sparrow  Hawk  no  sooner  appears  than  the  alarm  is 
given,  and  the  whole  posse  of  jays  follow." 

Although  I  have  had  quite  a  number  of  the  eggs  of  this 
bird,  I  have  been  able  to  meet  with  but  one  nest,  notwith- 
standing I  have  repeatedly  searched  for  it  in  many  localities. 
This  was  built  in  a  crow's  nest  of  the  previous  year,  in  a 
hemlock-tree,  about  thirty  feet  from  the  ground.  There 
had  been  apparently  but  few  alterations  of  the  old  nest ; 
these  consisting  principally  of  the  addition  of  a  few  loose 
sticks  and  twigs  to  the  interior  of  the  nest,  making  it 
nearly  a  flat  platform.  The  locality  was  the  valley  of  the 
Magalloway  River,  about  twenty-five  miles  north  of  Lake 
Umbagog,  Me.  The  eggs  Averc  four  in  number ;  and 
these,  with  several  other  specimens  collected  in  Upton,  Me., 


ip3 


22 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Ciiliiis,  Mo.,  ami  Williamstowii,  Msiss.,  aro  boforo  mo.  i  am 
iiicliiK.'d  to  tliiiik,  from  what  I  can  loani  from  collectors  and 
others,  that  four  is  tlio  usual  nuiul)er  laid  hy  this  bird,— 
probal)ly  seldom  more.  Their  ground-color  varies  from  a 
deep  cream  or  yello\vish-l)ulf  to  a  pale  reddish-white:  this 
is  cov""ed,  more  or  loss  thickly  in  dilTerent  specimens,  with 
spots  and  conllucnt  blotches  of  reddish-brown  and  Vandyke- 
brown,  or  chocolate.  Their  form  is  nearly  spherical,  being 
but  very  little  pointed  at  either  end.  Their  dimensions 
vary  from  1.40  inch  by  l.lo  inch  to  1.30  inch  by  1.13  inch. 
This  species  breeds  later  than  most  of  the  other  birds 
of  prey,  as  the  eggs  which  I  found  in  Maine  on  the  11th  of 
June,  1864,  were  newly  laid.  This  species  usually  nests  ia 
a  hollow  tree  or  a  deserted  woodpecker's  nest. 


Suh-Family  AcciPiiiiiNiE.  —  The  Hawks. 

Form  ratlier  long  and  slender;  tail  and  legs  long;  wings  rather  short;  bill  short, 
Looked;  upper  mandible  lobcd,  but  not  toothed.  Very  active  and  vigil  int,  and  swift 
of  fliglit;  pursuing  their  prey,  which  consists  of  birds  and  small  quadrupeds,  into 
the  woods  and  fon-sts. 

ASTUR,  Lac. 

Astur,  Lacki'kde,  Mem.  Inst.,  IIL  p.  508. 

The  largest  birds  of  this  sub-family.  General  form  strong,  but  rather  long  and 
slender;  wing  rather  short;  tail  long  and  broad;  tarsi  long,  covered  in  front  with 
rather  wide  transverse  scales;  toes  and  claws  moderate,  the  latter  fully  curved, 
sharp;  bill  short,  curved;  nostrils  large,  ovate,  inserted  in  the  cere.  This  genua 
contains  about  twelve  speeies  of  all  countries. 

ASTUK  ATEICAPILLUS.  —  Bonnjm-te. 

The  Goshawk. 

Falco  atricnjHllus,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VL  80  (1812). 
Falco  rer/nlis,  Temm.    PI.  col.  L  (liv.  84,  about  1827). 
JJie(lnlio7i pictum,  Lesson.    Tmite  d'Om.,  L  67  (1831). 

Desckiption. 

Adult.  —  Head  above,  neck  behind,  and  stripe  from  behind  the  eye,  black, 
generallj'  more  or  less  tinged  with  ashj';  other  upper  parts  dark  ashy  bluish  or 
slate  color,  with  the  shafts  of  the  feathers  black,  and  frequently  with  the  feathers 
naiTowly  edged  with  black,  presenting  a  squamate  or  scale-like  ajipcarance;  a  con- 
^piiiiDiis  stripe  over  the  eye,  and  an  obscure  and  partially  concealed  occipital  and 


THE   GOSHAWK. 


28 


nuchal  band,  white ;  entire  under  purt:4  inoltk'd  with  white  and  lit;ht  n»lj)--brown; 
evorv  (I'OlhtT  vith  ii  IdiifjitiKlliial  line  ot'itailt-liniwn  on  its  -ilml^,  iiiid  willi  imnii'roiifi 
iiTC'giilur  uiid  iiiiptTlcit  transviTsu  lines  or  iiariow  Hlripes  ol  li^jiit  a^lly-b|•()Wll,  uiuiu 
distinct  und  rt'(;ulur  uii  the  ubduiiivu  mid  libiii';  i|iiill.i  brown,  with  liaiidi*  ot'a  dccpir 
glindu  of  the  saiiio  color,  and  of  ashy-white  on  tlu'ir  iiiiur  wbs;  tail  naiiiu  color  iw 
other  upper  parts;  under  surfuio  very  pale,  nearly  white,  uud  liuvint;  about  four 
obscure  bands  of  u  deeper  shade  of  ashy-brown,  and  'uiToAvly  tipju'il  with  white: 
under  tail  eoverln  white. 

Yuuny.  —  Knlire  upper  |iurtn,  including;  head,  dark-brown,  with  II  feathers, 
cnpccially  on  the  head  and  neck  behind,  ed;,'eil  ami  spotteil  with  linht-reddish,  or 
nearly  white ;  tail  light-ashy,  with  about  live  wide  ami  conspicuous  bands  of  ashy- 
brown,  and  naiTowly  tipped  with  ashy-white;  quills  brown,  with  wide  burs  of  u 
darker  shade  of  the  fame  color,  and  wide  bands  of  reddish-white  on  their  inner 
webs;  under  parts  white,  Kt'uerally  tinged  with  yellowisli,  and  fre(iu('nlly  with  red- 
dish; every  feather  with  a  longitudinal  stripe  termiuutiiig  in  an  ovate  spot  of  brown; 
sides  and  tibito  frc(|uently  with  circular  and  lanceolate  i^pots  and  irrcgidar  bands 
of  the  same  color,  t'.ie  tibiu)  generally  very  conspicuously  marked  in  this  manner; 
under  tail  coverts  white,  with  a  (c\i  large  lanceolate  spots  of  brown. 

'■* Adult.  —  Hill  blutk,  light-blue  at  the  base;  cere  greenish-yellow;  eyebrow 
greenish-blue;  iris  reddish-orange ;  feet  yellow. 

^^  YouiKj.  —  Bill  as  in  the  adult;  iris  light-yellow;  feet  greenish-yellow."  — 
AununoN. 

Total  length,  female,  twenty-two  to  twenty-four  inches;  wing  about  fourteen; 
tail,  ten  and  u  half  to  eleven  inches.  Mule,  about  twenty  inches;  wing,  twelve  and 
B  half;  tail,  nine  and  a  half  inches. 

This  handsome  hawk  is  a  not  very  common  winter  visitor 
ill  the  New-England  States ;  at  least,  such  is  my  observa- 
tion, which  is  corroborated  by  many  others,  although  Mr. 
Verrill,  in  his  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Maine,^  says  it  is 
common,  and  that  it  breeds  there.  I  have  never  met  with 
a  nest  of  this  species,  and  have  no  authentic  specimen  of 
its  egg  in  my  collection.  In  1864,  a  gentleman  brought 
me  two  eggs  that  ho  found  in  a  large  hawk's  nest  in 
Woburn,  Mass.  Ho  described  the  hawk,  which  he  killed, 
and  which  corresponded  pretty  closely  with  that  of  this  bird. 
I  showed  him  mounted  specimens  of  the  Goshawk,  and  ho 
thought  them  identical  with  his  bird.  As  there  was  still  a 
doubt  concerning  the  identity  of  the  eggs,  I  did  not  label 
them  as  of  this  species,  and  for  the  same  reason  will  not 
figure  them  in  this  work.  So  far  as  description  goes,  they 
are  almost  exactly  like  the  eggs  of  the  Red-tailed  Ilawk 


i 


-i 

3 


Troceedings  Esisex  Institute,  vol.  III.  p.  140. 


S4 


OUNITIIOLOOY    AND   OOLO(JY. 


( liuteo  horml'm),  l)ut  iuo  a  littlo  moro  ul"  u  l»liii«h-wliite;  in 
fli('  ^i()Uii(l-(;oIor. 

Fur  Honio  reason,  this  si)c;ci(;s  was  (luito  abuiidaut  in 
llio  iii;io|il)()ilioo(l  of  Hostoii  in  (lie  winter  of  iHoU-OO; 
prolialily  a  (i()/,(Mi  or  (il'leen  siK.rimcMs  were  sent  to  mo  in 
llie  (lill'cnMit  plumages,  and  1  liavo  hoard  of  many  othora 
lioiiig  shot  in  the  sanio  season. 

1  luivo  liad  l)ut  few  opporUinities  for  stndyinj,^  the  hahita 
of  this  hawk,  and,  as  my  observations  have  boon  very 
niiMurc,  I  will  jiivc  Anihilton's  deseription,  which,  so  far  as 
jny  experience  goi;s,  is  very  accurate;  it  is  as  follows:  — 

"TIk'  fli;i;Iit  (if  lliti  fjosliiiwk  m  cxtrciiicly  rapid  uiid  protracte(l. 
lie  tswcfps  iddiii;  t!io  iniirgiiis  of  tho  liclds,  tliroii^'li  the  wooda,  and 
by  tlio  c(l,i,'i's  of  ponds  and  rivers,  with  such  speed  as  to  cuablo  hira 
to  seize  his  prey  by  merely  deviating  a  few  yards  from  Ids  course; 
assistin-,'  binisi  If  on  siieli  occasions  Ity  Ids  long  tail,  which,  like  a 
rudder,  he  lluows  to  the  right  or  left,  upwards  or  downwards,  to 
cheek  his  jtrogress,  or  enable  him  snddeidy  to  alter  his  course. 
At  times  he  passes  like  a  meteor  through  tho  underwood,  wliere 
he  secures  s(pdrrels  and  hares  with  ease.  Sliould  a  Hock  of  wild 
pigeons  pass  him  when  on  these  predatory  excursions,  ho  imme- 
diately gives  elmse,  soon  overtakes  them,  and,  forcing  his  way  into 
the  very  centre  of  the  flock,  scatters  them  in  confusion,  when  you 
may  see  him  emerging  with  a  bird  in  his  talons,  and  diving  towards 
the  depth  of  the  forest  to  feed  upon  his  victim.  When  travelling, 
he  flies  high,  with  a  constant  beat  of  tho  wings,  seldom  moving  in 
large  circles  like  other  hawks ;  and,  when  he  does  this,  it  is  only 
a  few  times  in  a  hurried  manner,  after  which  lie  continues  his 
journey. 

"Along  the  Atlantic  Coast,  this  species  follows  the  numerous 
flocks  of  ducks  that  are  foinid  there  during  the  autumn  and  winter; 
and  greatly  aids  in  the  destruction  of  mallards,  teals,  black  ducks, 
and  other  species,  in  company  with  the  Peregrine  Falcon  (^Falco 
anatum).  It  is  a  restless  bird,  apparently  more  vigilant  and  indus- 
trious than  many  other  hawks,  and  it  seldom  alights  unless  to 
devour  its  prey;  nor  can  I  recollect  ever  having  seen  (  lo  alighted 
for  many  nunutes  at  a  time,  without  having  a  bird  in  its  talons. 


THE  00811 AWK. 


S6 


U'lii'ii  tlius  eiignged  with  iu  proy,  it  Btuuds  nearly  ii|iri|»ht;  ntid  in 
gi'iutnil,  when  pcrclied,  it  keop8  itHclf  moru  oruct  than  must  spucioi 
of  hinvka.  It  is  t'xtrenicly  fxpert  at  ciitchin;;  siiipos  on  tho 
wiiij,';  and  so  well  do  tlicso  birds  know  their  insocnrily,  that,  on  its 
tt[)proa(rh,  they  prefer  stpnitting  to  eudeavoring  to  escape  by  flight. 

"  When  tho  pnasenger  pigeons  are  abundant  in  the  western 
country,  tho  (Joshawk  li  Hows  their  close  niassos,  and  sul)sist3 
n[ion  them.  A  single  iMwk  snllices  to  spread  the  greatest  terror 
among  their  ranks ;  and  tho  moment  he  Hwccps  towards  a  flock, 
tho  whole  immediately  divo  into  tho  deepest  woods,  where,  not- 
withstanding their  great  speod,  tho  marauder  suceeeds  in  clutching 
the  fattest.  Wiiile  travelling  along  the  Ohio,  1  oltserved  several 
liawks  of  this  Bpecies  in  tho  train  of  millions  of  these  pigeons. 
Towards  tho  evening  of  tho  same  day,  I  saw  one  abandoning  itii 
course  to  give  chaso  to  a  larg(!  Hock  of  Crow  IJlackbirds  (Quis- 
calus  irrsirolor),  then  crossing  tho  river.  Tho  hawk  approached 
them  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  when  the  blackbirds  rushed 
together  so  closely  that  the  Hock  looked  like  a  dusky  ball  passing 
through  the  air.  On  reaching  tho  mass,  he,  with  the  greatest  ease, 
seized  first  one,  then  another  and  another,  giving  each  a  squeeze 
with  his  talons,  and  suflering  it  to  drop  upon  the  water.  In  this 
manner  he  had  procured  four  or  five,  before  the  poor  birds  reached 
the  woods,  into  which  they  instantly  plunged,  when  ho  gave  up  tho 
chase,  swept  over  tho  water  in  graceful  curves,  and  picked  the  fruits 
of  his  industry,  carrying  each  bird  singly  to  the  shore.  Reader,  is 
this  instinct  or  reason  ? 

"  Tho  nest  of  tho  Goshawk  is  placed  on  the  branches  of  a  tree, 
near  the  trunk  or  main  stem.  It  is  of  great  size,  and  resembles 
that  of  our  crow,  or  some  species  of  owl ;  being  constructed  of  with- 
ered twigs  and  coarse  grass,  with  a  lining  of  fibrous  strips  of  plants 
resembling  hemp.  It  is,  however,  much  flatter  than  that  of  tho 
crow.  In  one  I  found,  in  tho  month  of  April,  three  eggs  ready  to 
be  hatched :  they  were  of  a  dull  bluish-white,  sparingly  spotted 
with  light  reddish-brown.  In  another,  which  I  found  placed  on  a 
pine-tree,  growing  on  the  eastern  rocky  bank  of  the  Niagara  River, 
a  few  miles  below  the  great  cataract,  the  lining  was  formed  of 
withered  herbaceous  plants,  with  a  few  feathers :  the  eggs  were 
four  in  number,  of  a  white  color  tinged  with  greenish-blue,  large, 
mucJj  rounded,  and  somewhat  granulated. 


26 


OUNrrUOLOGY   AND   GOLOGY. 


t*  '."i 


"  In  another  nest  were  four  young  birds  covered  witli  buff-col- 
ored down,  their  legs  and  feet  of  a  pale  yellowish  flesli-color,  the 
bill  light-blue,  and  the  eyes  pale-gray.  They  differed  greatly  in 
size,  one  being  quite  small  compared  with  the  rest.  I  am  of 
opinion  that  lew  breed  to  the  south  of  the  State  of  Maine." 

I  once  witnessed  an  iittcmpt  of  tliis  bird  to  capture  a 
common  gray  squirrel,  that  was  quite  interesting  to  the 
beholder,  but  certainly  not  to  the  animal.  While  on  a  col- 
lecting excursion,  a  few  miles  from  Boston,  as  I  was  seated 
beneatli  a  huge  oak,  observing  the  movements  of  some  small 
birds,  I  heard  the  barking  of  a  squirrel;  and,  while  looking 
for  his  whereabouts,  I  suddenly  heard  a  whistling  sound  as 
of  a  body  fidling  through  the  air,  and,  as  quick  as  thought, 
a  Goshawk  struck  on  the  limb,  on  the  spot  where,  a  second 
l)efore,  the  squirrel  had  been  seated :  luckily  for  the  squirrel, 
the  hawk  missed  his  aim,  the  animal  giving  a  sudden  dodge 
beneath  the  limb  the  moment  the  hawk  appeared.  All 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  habits  of  this  quadruped 
know  that  it  is  very  successful  in  dodging  behind  the  limb 
of  a  tree,  and  hugging  it  closely.  The  hawk  sat  a  few 
u'oments,  apparently  surprised  at  his  disappointment,  when, 
suddenly  k  .iching  into  the  air,  he  espied  it  beneath  the 
limb,  hugging  for  dear  life.  As  soon  as  he  had  iroved, 
the  S(iuirrcl  turned  adroitly  on  the  limb,  still  keeping  it 
between  itself  and  its  enemy.  After  several  trials,  the 
hawk  always  alighting  and  remaining  perched  on  the  limb  a 
few  seconds,  he  succeeded,  by  a  dexterous  feint,  in  securing 
his  prey,  ■'vhen,  on  the  instant,  I  fired,  bringing  the  hawk 
and  his  victim  to  the  ground.  The  hawk  dropped  dead; 
but  the  squirrel,  after  lying  on  the  grotind  a  moment,  got 
up,  and  staggered  olF  beneath  a  pile  of  rocks,  and  I  neither 
saw  nor  heard  any  thing  more  of  it. 


ACCIPITER,  BmssoN. 

Accipitcr,  Bkisson,  Orii.,  I.  310  (1760). 

General  form  more  sleiuler  and  pmallcr  than  Astur,  I)iit  other\vi8e  similar;  wings 
ihort,  tali  long,  tursi  Ioiik  and  slender.  iVoqucntly  with  the  sciiles  in  front  nearly 


THE  COOPER  S   HAWK. 


27 


ybsolete.  Contains  about  twenty  species  of  uil  rouutries,  several  of  which  intimately 
resemble  each  other.  Colors  in  No"th-American  species  very  similar  to  eatli  other 
especially  in  adult  specimens,  though  they  differ  materially  in  size. 

ACCIPITEE  COOPESII,  —  Bomparte. 
The  Cooper's  Hawk. 

fd/eo  Cc«V)C)'//,  Bonaparte.    Am.  Orn.,  II.  1  (1828). 
Falco  StaiiliiU,  Audubon.    Oni.  Bicg.,  I.  186  (1831). 

Desc«ii»i'1on. 

Adult.  —  Head  above  brownish-black,  mixed  with  white  on  the  occiput,  othei 
upper  parts  dark  ashy-brown,  with  the  shiills  of  the  featliers  brownish-black;  an 
obscure  rufous  collar  on  the  neck  behind;  throat  and  under  tail  coverts  white,  the 
tbrnier  with  linos  of  dark-brown ;  other  under  parts  transversely  barred  with  light 
rufous  and  white;  quills  ashy-brown,  with  darker  bands,  and  white  irregular 
markings  on  their  inner  webs;  tail  dark  cinereous,  tipped  with  white,  and  with  four 
wide  bands  of  brownish-black. 

Younij.  —  Head  and  neck  behind  yellowish -white,  tinged  with  rufous,  and  with 
longitudinal  stripes  and  oblong  spots  of  brown;  oAer  upper  parts  light  amber- 
brown,  with  large  partially  concealed  spots  and  bars  of  white;  upper  tail  coverta 
tipped  with  white;  under  parts  white,  with  narrow  longitudinal  stripes  of  light- 
brown;  tail  as  in  adult;  bill  bluish  horn-color;  tarsi  yellow;  iris  in  adult,  reddish- 
orange;  in  young,  bright  j-ellow. 

Total  length,  male  lifteen  to  sixteen  inches;  wing,  nine;  tail,  eight  inches. 
Female,  total  length,  seventeen  to  eighteen  inches;  wing,  nine  and  a  half  to  ten; 
tail,  nine  inches. 

It  is  a  noticeable  fact  in  the  history  of  many  of  our  birds, 
that  in  different  periods,  from  some  cause  or  other,  many 
species  have  increased  in  number  to  a  remarlcable  extent, 
while  otlicrs  have  diminished  in  like  proportion.  Some 
have  moved  from  sections  in  which  they  were  for  years 
common  residents,  to  others  in  which  they  were,  compara- 
tively, strangers. 

The  Cooper's  or  Stanley  Hawk  of  Audubon  has  had  one 
of  these  changes  ;  and  throughout  New  England,  where  it 
was  formerly  a  comparatively  rare  species,  it  is  now  one  of 
the  most  abundant  of  our  birds  of  prey. 

The  habits  of  the  Cooper's  Hawk  are  generally  well 
known.  It  is  the  smallest  of  those  known  by  the  name,  of 
"  Hen  Hawk  ;  "  and  the  mischief  it  does  among  domestic 
poultry  well  earns  for  it  this  title. 


53 


'2S 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Powei-ful,  active,  and  gifted  with  great  rapidity  of  ^ight, 
lie  is  able  to  attack  and  conquer  birds  and  animals  greatly 
his  superior  in  size  and  weight.  The  Common  Hare  (Lepua 
Americanus)  often  falls  a  victim  to  his  voracity.  Ducks, 
grouse,  squirrels,  and  small  birds,  are  destroyed  by  him ; 
and  I  have  known  of  his  capturing  and  eating  snakes  and 
other  reptiles,  and  even  grasshoppers  and  crickets. 

In  hunting  for  prey,  he  usually  flies  just  above  the  trees 
in  the  forast,  and  quite  near  the  earth  in  the  open  country. 
His  flight  consists  of  a  rapid  succession  of  beatings  of  tho 
wings,  with  intervals  of  equal  periods  of  soarings.  On 
discovering  a  bird  or  other  object  that  he  may  wish  to 
capture,  he  immediately  gives  chase.  If  tho  bird  takes  to 
tlie  foliage  of  the  trees,  he  immediately  follows,  tui'ning  at 
every  tiu-n,  doubling  and  twisting  through  the  trees  with 
wonderful  speed  and  success ;  and  the  chase  is  usually  but 
a  very  short  one  indeed  before  he  alights  to  feed  on  the 
quarry  that  he  has  secured. 

He  is  very  destructive  to  tho  flocks  of  young  ducks  that 
breed  in  the  wilder  districts  of  the  country.  I  remember 
an  instance  of  one  of  his  raids  on  these  birds  that  is  not 
without  interest. 

While  on  a  hunting  and  collecting  excursion  in  the  wilds 
of  Maine,  up  the  Magalloway  River,  —  a  beautiful  stream 
that  empties  into  the  Androscoggin,  near  Lake  Umbagog, — 
I  wandered  down  the  river  banks,  that  are,  for  nearly  the 
entire  length  of  the  stream,  fringed  with  a  thick  growth  of 
trees,  away  from  the  camp  perhaps  a  mile.  I  was  watching 
an  old  Black  Duck  (^Anas  obsourd)  and  her  brood  of  eight 
"  flappers  "  disporting  themselves  in  the  water,  and  impa- 
tiently waiting  for  an  opportunity  for  a  shot;  for,  kind 
reader,  I  can  assure  you  that  a  "  broiled  flapper,"  or  wild 
duck  about  half  grown,  is  a  delicacy  which,  once  enjoyed,  is 
eagerly  sought  for  by  the  frequenters  of  tho  wilderness.  As 
I  was  creeping  cautiously  within  shot  of  the  birds,  I  sud 
denly  heard  a  "  quack  "  and  splash,  and  the  whole  bevy  was 


THE   cooper's   hawk. 


29 


gone.  At  that  instant,  a  Cooper's  Hawk,  that  had  evidently 
just  made  a  swoop  at  the  flock  and  missed  it,  alighted  on  a 
small  tree  that  hung  over  the  water,  and  remained  perfectly 
motionless.  Now,  when  man  attempts  to  secure  any  of 
these  young  ducks,  the  parent  almost  always  flies  oft',  while 
the  young  dive  and  swim  under  water  to  the  banks  of  the 
stream  or  pond  where  they  may  be.  When  a  bird  of  prey 
makes  his  appearance,  the  whole  family  dives  beneath  the 
surface,  and  swims  off;  the  mother  in  one  direction,  the 
young  in  another.  I  have  noticed  the  same  fact  several 
times,  and  conclude  that  the  parent,  who  frequently  makes 
her  appearance  above  the  surface,  does  so  because  she  is 
ca^jable  of  endurir.g  submersion  better  than  her  young, 
and  shows  herself  often,  a  little  farther  from  her  offspring 
every  time,  imtil  she  had  led  their  pursuer  away  from 
them ;  giving  them,  in  the  mean  time,  a  chance  to  swim  off, 
and  conceal  themselves.  The  hawk,  in  this  instance,  was 
not  to  be  deceived.  He  followed  the  parent  but  once,  and 
then  immediately  returned  to  his  perch.  Tlie  banks  of  the 
river  at  this  place  were  steep,  there  was  no  vegetation 
growing  in  the  water,  and  the  chances  for  obtaining  a  meal 
from  one  of  the  young  ducks  were  decidedly  in  the  hawk's 
favor. 

The  young  ducks  are  very  expert  divers.  They  have  the 
faculty  of  sinking  beneath  the  surface  at  any  alarm,  and 
will  remain  there  perhaps  half  a  minute.  Unfortunately 
for  them,  they  cannot  8wim  beuf^ath  the  surface  a  great 
distance,  and  generally  come  up  quite  near  the  place  where 
they  went  down.  The  hawk  sat  attentively  inspecting  the 
river  in  different  places ;  and,  as  one  of  the  young  birds 
made  its  appearance,  he  marked  it  for  his  victim.  The 
moment  it  rose  to  the  surface,  he  made  a  swoop  for  it, 
when,  of  course,  it  dove.  This  was  repeated  several  times, 
the  young  duck  remaining  beneath  the  water  a  shorter 
length  of  time  at  each  dive.  Soon  it  was  manifest  that  the 
nawk  would    obtain    his  quarry,  when,  as   ho    flew  fo" 


:3 
% 

5 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


the  duck  tlio  last  time,  I  pulled  trigger  on  him;  for  wo  are 
all  ciniiiontly  selfish,  and  when  one  of  tiic  lower  animals, 
as  wc  regard  them,  interferes  with  us  in  our  pleasures  or 
comforts,  oven  if  they  are  fulfilling  the  dictates  of  their 
natures,  wc  brush  them  from  existence,  as  if  lue  were  the 
only  rightful  possessors  of  this  beautiful  world.  Fortu- 
nately for  the  hawk,  unfortunately  for  the  flapper,  and 
muoli  to  my  chagrin,  the  cap  failed  to  explode,  and  the  poor 
duck  was  borne  off  for  food  for  the  family  of  the  hawk. 

The  Cooper's  Hawk  breeds  in  all  the  New-England  States, 
and  is  partial  to  no  particiilar  locality.  I  have  found  the 
nest  in  sections  not  a  mile  from  the  seacoast ;  in  the  deepest 
woods  of  Northern  Maine ;  and  have  had  the  eggs  sent  me 
from  different  localities  in  Khode  Island,  Connecticut,  and 
New  Hampshire. 

The  nest  of  tliis  species  is  more  often  found  than  that  of 
any  other.  In  my  collecting  trips,  my  experience  has  been 
that  I  have  found  certainly  two  nests  of  this  to  one  of  all 
others.  Audubon  says,  "  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  the 
foi'ks  of  the  branch  of  an  oak-tree,  towards  its  extremity. 
In  its  general  appearance,  it  resembles  that  of  the  common 
crow,  for  which  I  have  several  times  mistaken  it.  It  is  com- 
posed externally  of  numerous  crooked  sticks,  and  has  a  slight 
lining  of  grasses  and  a  few  feathers."  This  does  not  agree 
with  my  observation  ;  for,  in  great  numbers  of  nests  that  I 
have  examined,  in  which  I  have  found  no  great  variation  in 
character,  they  were  almost  invariably  in  a  fork  of  a  tall 
tree  near  the  top,  —  in  three  cases  out  of  five  in  the  differ- 
ent innes.  They  were  large,  bulky  affairs,  constructed  of 
twigs  and  sticks,  some  of  them  nearly  half  an  inch  in 
iiamcter:  they  were  decidedly  hollowed,  and  often  lined 
with  leaves  and  the  loose  bark  of  the  cedar.  The  eggs  of 
this  species  vary  in  number  from  two  to  four.  I  do  not 
remember  ever  having  found  more  than  four,  which  number 
is  usually  laid.  Their  ground-color  is  a  dirty  bluish-white, 
with  often   thinly   scattered   spots   of  brown,  or   obscure 


THK  SHAUP-SHINNKD    HAWK. 


31 


blotches  and  markings  of  a  shade  darker  than  the  ground- 
color of  the  egg.  A  groat  number  of  specimens  in  my  col- 
lection exhibit  a  variation  in  dimensions  of  from  1.82  inch 
to  2  Indies  in  length,  by  from  1.50  inch  to  1.62  in  breadth. 
The  average  dimensions  are  about  1.78  inch  by  1.52  inch. 
The  breeding  season  varies  considerably  with  this  species, 
even  in  the  same  latitude.  I  have  found  nests  with  eggs  as 
early  as  the  first  week  in  May,  and  as  late  as  the  first  week 
in  June.  Usually  the  eggs  are  laid  before  the  20th  of  May 
in  Massachusetts.  The  season  for  the  northern  district  of 
New  England  seems  to  be  from  one  to  two  weeks  later  than 
this  ;  that  of  the  southern  district,  about  a  week  earlier. 

A  pair  of  birds  that  nested  in  Newton,  Mass.,  in  the 
summer  of  1866,  were  robbed  of  their  eggs  four  times  in 
the  season.  They  built  different  nests  in  the  same  grove, 
and  laid  in  the  four  litters  four,  four,  five,  and  three  eggs 
respectively.  The  eggs  of  the  last  litter  were  very  small ; 
but  little  larger  than  the  eggs  of  the  Sharp-shinned  '  '^awk. 

ACCIPITER  FDSCDS.  — GmeKn. 
The  Sharp-shinned  Hawk. 

Fakofuscus  et  dubius,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  280,  281  (1788). 

Accijnter  stiiatm,  Vicillot.     Ois.  d'Am.  Sept.,  I.  42  (1807). 

Falco  velox  et  Pcnnsijlvimicus,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  V.  116,  and  VI.  p.  13  (1813). 

Spnrrm.1  Unentiis,  Viuillot.    Ency.  Meth.,  III.  126G  (1823). 

jV(6«s  Mdljini,  Lesson.    Traite  d'Orn.,  I.  58  (1831). 

Description. 

Adult.  —  Small;  tail  rather  long;  legs  and  toes  slender;  entire  upper  parts 
browiiisli-black,  tinged  witli  ashy;  occiput  mixed  witli  white;  throat  and  under  tail 
coverts  wliite,  tiie  former  with  lines  of  black  on  the  shafts  of  the  feathers;  other 
under  parts  fine  liglit  rufous,  deepest  on  the  tibiie,  and  with  transverse  bands 
of  white;  shafts  of  the  feathers  with  lines  of  ilark-brown;  tail  ashy-brown  tipped 
with  white,  and  with  about  four  bands  of  brownish-black;  quills  brownish-black, 
with  bands  of  a  darker  shade,  and  of  white  on  their  inner  webs:  secondaries  and 
tertiaries  with  I'l-ge  partially  concealed  spots  of  white. 

Youni]. — Entire  upper  parts  dull  umber-brown,  tinged  with  ashy;  neck  behind 
mixed  with  white;  greater  wing  coverts  and  shorter  quills  with  large  partially  con- 
cealed .spots  of  wliite;  under  parts  white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  and  circular  and 
ovate  tspots  of  reddish-brown,  changing  into    transverse    bands   on  the    tanks 


i 

A 


5 


32 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOOY. 


and  til,irc;  under  fail  oovcrf.s  white;  bill  dark  bluish  horn-color;    cere  and  tarsi 
yellow;  iris  reddish-vollow. 

Total  length  of  t'oniiile,  twelvn  to  fourteen  inches;  winff,  seven  and  a  half  to 
eight;  tail,  six  and  a  half  to  seven  inches.  Male,  ten'to  eleven  inches;  wing,  six 
to  six  and  a  liaii';  tail,  live  to  five  and  a  half  inches. 

Tliis  well-known  little  species  is  a  general  and  common 
fiummcr  inhal)itant  of  all  the  New-England  States:  it 
makes  its  appearance  with  the  arrival  of  the  earliest  flight 
of  the  smaller  migratory  birds  in  spring,  and  remains  until 
the  latter  part  of  autumn  ;  and,  in  the  southern  portions  of 
these  States,  even  thronghout  the  winter  The  habits  of  the 
uird  are  so  well  described  by  Audubon,  that  I  cannot  do 
better  than  include  tlie  description  here.     He  says :  — 

""Wliile  in  search  of  prey,  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  passes 
over  tlie  country,  now  iit  a  moderate  height,  now  close  over  the 
land,  in  so  swift  a  manner,  tliat,  although  your  eye  has  marked  it, 
you  feel  surprised  that  tlie  very  next  moment  it  has  dashed  off,  and 
is  fiir  away.  In  fact,  it  is  usually  seen  when  least  expected, 
and  almost  always  but  for  a  few  moments,  unless  when  it  has 
procured  some  prey,  and  is  engaged  in  feeding  upon  it.  The  kind 
of  vacillation  or  wavering  with  which  it  moves  through  the  air 
appears  perfectly  adapted  to  its  wants  ;  for  it  undoubtedly  enables 
this  little  warrior  to  watch  and  to  see  at  a  single  quick  glance  of  its 
Keen  eyes  every  object,  whether  to  the  right  or  to  the  left,  as  it  pur- 
sues its  course.  It  advances  by  sudden  dashes,  as  if  impetuosity 
of  movement  were  essential  to  its  nature,  and  pounces  upon  and 
strikes  such  objects  as  best  suit  its  appetite,  but  so  very  suddenly 
that  it  appears  quite  hopeless  for  any  of  them  to  try  to  escape. 
]Many  have  been  the  times,  reader,  when  watching  tliia  vigilant, 
active,  and  industrious  bird,  I  have  seen  it  plunge  headlong  among 
the  briery  patches  of  one  of  our  old  fields,  in  defiance  of  all  thorny 
obstacles  ;  and,  passing  through,  emerge  on  the  other  side,  bearing 
off  with  exultation  in  its  sharp  claws  a  sparrow  or  finch,  which  it 
had  surpri.-ed  when  at  rest.  At  other  times,  I  have  seen  two  or 
three  of  theee  hawks,  acting  in  concert,  fly  at  a  Golden-winged 
Woodpecker  while  alighted  against  tlie  bark  of  a  tree,  where  it 
thought  itself  secure,  but  was  suddenly  clutched  by  one  of  the 
hawks  throwing,  as  it  were,  its  long  legs  with  the  quickness  of 


'^- 


I  .IS 


SuAui'-suiiNNEU  Hawk,  Accipiter  fuscus.     BouaparUi. 


/ 


tliought,  proti 
back  of  tlie 
the  harassing 
tree.  Then  < 
full,  the  wood 
liawk  would  i 
its  vitals,  put 
at  once  comnn 

Nuttall  in 
upon  its  qua 
the   glass  ol 
Garden ;  anc 
tition,  he  w£ 
though  littlo 
much   torn 
impeded  as 
Whilst  tra 
the  Sharp-slii 
manner,  with 
times,  as  if 
below,  movej 
seen  to  desc 
height  of  on 
were,  every  < 
be  inhabited 
feeds.     Agai 
rises  to  a  gn 
discernible  fj 
Notwithstj 
cies,  its  nes 
J'ound.     Au{ 
hor  Nuttall 
find  severalJ 
were  built  ii] 
from  the  grj 
and  twigs. 


THE  SHAnP-SIIINNED   HAWK. 


33 


thought,  protruding  its  sharp  talons,  and  thnisting  them  into  the 
back  of  the  devoted  bird,  while  it  was  endeavoring  to  elude 
the  harassing  attacks  of  another,  by  hopping  and  twis'Mig  around  the 
tree.  Then  down  to  the  ground  assailants  and  assailed  would 
fall,  the  woodpecker  still  offering  great  resistance,  until  a  second 
hawk  would  also  seize  upon  it,  and,  with  claws  deeply  thrust  iuto 
its  vitals,  put  an  end  to  its  life,  when  both  the  marauders  would 
at  once  commence  their  repast." 

Nuttall  informs  us  that  "  descending  furiously  and  blindly 
upon  its  quarry,  a  you!ig  hawk  of  this  species  broke  through 
the  glass  of  the  greenhouse  at  the  Cambridge  Botanic 
Garden ;  and,  fearlessly  passing  through  a  second  glass  par- 
tition, he  was  only  brought  up  by  the  third,  and  caught, 
though  little  stunned  by  the  effort.  His  wing-feathers  were 
much  torn  by  the  glass,  and  his  flight  in  this  way  so 
impeded  as  to  allow  of  his  being  approached." 

Whilst  travelling  to  some  point  at  a  considerable  distance, 
the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  flies  high,  though  in  a  desultory 
manner,  with  irregular  quick  flappings  of  its  wings ;  and  at 
times,  as  if  to  pause  for  a  while  and  examine  the  objects 
below,  moves  in  short  and  unequal  circles,  after  which  it  is 
seen  to  descciid  rapidly,  and  then  follow  its  course  at  the 
height  of  only  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  visiting,  as  it 
were,  every  clump  of  low  bushes  or  brier  patches  likely  to 
be  inhabited  by  the  smaller  birds,  on  which  it  principally 
feeds.  Again,  after  having  satisfied  its  hunger,  it  at  times 
rises  to  a  great  height,  and  indeed  now  and  then  is  scarcely 
discernible  from  the  ground. 

Notwithstanding  the  comparative  abundance  of  this  spe- 
cies, its  nest,  until  quite  recently,  has  been  quite  rarely 
?;bund.  Aiidubon  met  with  biit  three,  and  neither  Wilson 
hor  Nuttall  ever  saw  one.  I  have  been  so  fortiinate  as  to 
find  several,  two  of  which  had  in  each  four  eggs.  They 
were  built  in  the  forks  of  pine-trees,  about  twenty-five  feet 
from  the  ground :  they  were  loosely  constructed  of  sticks 
and  twigs,  were  not  much  hollowed,  and  were  lined  with 

8 


4 

k 


34 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOOV. 


smaller  twigH  ami  a  fow  loaves.  Fourteen  eggs  in  my  col- 
l(!clion,  from  dillerent  ])'.\vtH  of  New  England,  exliil)it  but 
slight  vaiiations ;  they  arc  of  a  bluish-white  color,  and 
covered  at  the  larger  end  with  spots  and  blotches  of 
chocolat(!-brown  :  in  some  specimens  these  blotches  arc  con- 
Ihient,  making  a  ring  near  the  largo  end;i  others  are 
covered  nearly  over  their  entire  surface  with  those  markings. 
Tiio  form  of  the  egg  is  nearly  spherical ;  the  length  varying 
from  l.AO  inch  to  1.23  inch,  and  the  breadth  from  1.24 
inch  to  1.0(3  inch.  Average  dimensions  about  1.40  inch  by 
1.20  inch.  I  have  found  the  eggs  as  early  as  the  10th  of 
May ;  but  usually  they  arc  not  laid  before  the  20th,  in  the 
latitude  of  Massachusetts.  The  same  nest  is  occupied  by 
the  parent  birds  for  several  years,  and  the  female  is  a  per- 
sistent layer.  A  case  came  to  my  knowledge  in  the  spring 
of  18G4,  when  the  nest  was  robbed  three  times :  fourteen 
eggs  were  removed ;  and,  if  the  female  had  not  been  killed 
when  the  last  eggs  were  taken,  she  would  probably  have 
laid  another  litter,  as  there  were  several  found  in  her 
nearly  formed.  Both  sexes,  as  with  nearly  all  the  other 
birds  of  prey,  incubate 


Sub-Family  Bcteoninje.  —  The  Buzzard-Hawh. 

General  form  heavy ;  fiight  vigorous  and  long  continued,  but  not  bo  rapid  as  in 
the  preceding  sub-families.    Subsist  mainly  on  small  quadrupeds  and  reptiles. 


liUTEO,  CuviEH. 

Jiufen,  Cl'VIEU,  Rcgne  Animal,  I.  323  (1817). 

Bill  short,  wiile  at  base;  edges  of  upper  mandible  lobed;  nostrils  large,  ovate, 
winpts  long,  wide,  fourth  and  fii^h  quills  usually  longest;  tail  moderate,  rather  wide; 
tarsi  moderate,  robust,  with  transverse  scales  before  aud  behind,  laterally  with  small 
ririular  and  hexagonal  scales;  toes  moderate,  or  rather  short;  cluwn  strong.  Con- 
tains about  thirty  species,  inhabiting  all  countries. 

1  The  specimen,  fig.  3,  plate  I.,  is  marked  with  a  ring  of  confluent  blotches  at  thu 
tmiiller  end,  a  peculiarity  rarely  met  with. 


•3 


'■'•'■ 


H 


5 


'WSn 


Fnico  bortnlit,  Ltv 
t'liU'o  iiifuiliiiut,  \ia 
Hilled  J'trrui/inckn 
Aceijiiler  rujicnwln 
Bitlto  J'ulmut  Bnd 


AiMt.  —  laW  brif; 
oal  bund  of  black ;  ci 
edKiiif^s  on  Ibo  licad  t 
brown  epoU  and  ban 
other  under  parta  pale 
brown,  tinged  witli  fu 
band  across  the  abda 
white,  unspotted,  but 
light  rufous;  under  sii 

young.  —  Tail  iLsu 
tlie  same  color,  and 
bands  of  dark-brown 
with  dull  white  and 
white,  si  lea  of  the  bre 
irregular  band  on  tlu 
coverts  and  tibioi  witli 
bill,  blue-black;  cere  i 
iris  pale  amber. 

Total  lengtli  of  f 
Inches;  tail,  eight  anc 
fourteen  inches;  tail,  i 

The  Rcd-tail( 
New-England  S 
so  well  known 
Every  one  has  r 
able  height,  so£ 
oft-repeated  crj 
beneath  him  fo 
the  bird  emitted 
notice  of  birds 
fly  to  a  place  ol 
of  their  wherea 
for  he  is  ofter 
towards  a  bird 


THK   RKD-TAILKU    HAWK. 


35 


BUTEO  B0REAUS.-riVi7/(><. 

Tht  Hed-tailed  Hawk. 

Fnlco bortnlU,  Ltrtrinnut,  and  Jamnuftuii,  Um.    Syit.  Nat.,  !■  26rt  ( 17(18) 

/'(i/<-o  aifuiliiitu,  Itartrnm.     Truv.,  p.  2U0  (1791). 

JJuUn  ftrniyiniiiitwliit,  Vicillot.     ()in.  d'Aiii.  .Si-pt.    I.  82  (1S07). 

Acri/iiler  rujicnwlut,  VifiUiit.     Oi*.  d'Aiii.  Sept.,  1.  4:1  (1M)7). 

li-'itto  J'ulvuxu  and  Amcvkanus,  Vicillot.     Nouv.  Diet.,  IV.  472,  477  (1816). 

DEBCHIITln.N. 

AdvU.  —  TaW  briglit  riifoui,  narrowly  lipped  with  white,  nnd  having  a  lulitprmi- 
nal  hand  of  hliak;  ciitiro  upper  piirtii  darit  uinlier-lirown,  iiKlitor  ami  witli  I'tdvuus 
edging!)  on  the  liead  and  neelt;  \ippcr  tail  coverts  yellowish-white,  with  rul'oun  and 
brown  »\io\»  and  baiid!i;  thront  wliite,  with  narrow  loii^^itiidinal  Htripex  ol'  brown; 
other  under  parts  pale  ycllowisU-wliitc,  with  longitudinal  lines  and  spots  of  recUlish- 
brown,  tinged  with  fulvous;  most  numerous  on  the  brca.st,  and  forming  on  irre>;ul.ii 
band  across  the  abdomen;  under  tail  coverts  and  tibiw  generally  clear  yellowish- 
whito,  unspotted,  but  the  latter  frequently  spotted  and  transversely  barred  with 
light  rufous;  under  surface  of  tail  silvery-white. 

Young.  —  Tail  usually  ashy-brown,  with  numerous  bands  of  a  darker  shade  ot 
the  same  color,  and  narrowly  tipped  wi'.h  white;  upper  tail  co\crl  white,  with 
bands  of  dark-brown;  other  upper  parts  dark  uuiber-brown,  many  illiers  edged 
with  dull  wliito  and  with  portially  concealed  spots  of  white;  enlire  under  parts 
white,  sides  of  the  breast  with  largo  ovote  spots  of  brownish-bl.itk,  ond  with  a  wide 
irregular  band  on  the  abdomen,  composed  of  spots  of  the  same  color;  under  tail 
coverts  and  tibiiu  with  irregular  transverse  stripes  and  sagittate  spots  of  dork-brown ; 
bill,  blue-black;  cere  and  sides  of  the  mouth,  yellow  tinged  with  green;  legs  yellow; 
iris  pale  amber. 

Total  lengtli  of  female,  about  twenty-three  inches;  wing,  flfleen  to  sixteen 
Inches;  tail,  eight  and  a  half  inches.  Male,  nineteen  to  twenty-one  inches;  wing, 
fourteen  inches;  tail,  seven  and  a  half  to  eight  inches. 

The  Red-tailed  Hawk  is  a  common  resident  of  all  the 
New-England  States  thronghout  the  year.  Its  habits  are 
so  well  known  that  a  description  hero  is  hardly  needed. 
Every  one  has  noticed  this  hawk  np  in  the  air,  at  a  consider- 
able height,  soaring  in  extended  circles,  and  uttering  the 
oft-repeated  cry,  kae,  kae,  kae,  as  he  examine.'}  the  earth 
beneath  hiin  for  prey.  Audubon  was  of  the  opinion,  that 
the  bird  emitted  this  shriek  for  the  purpose  of  attracting  the 
notice  of  birds  and  animals  beneath,  and  causing  them  to 
fly  to  a  place  of  concealment,  thus  giving  him  a  knowledge 
of  their  whereabouts.  Tliis  supposition  is  not  improbable ; 
for  he  is  often  observed  descending  with  great  rapidity 
towards  a  bird  that  has  taken  flight  at  his  outcries. 


Jil 


86 


OUNITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


This  Hawk  is  very  destructive  among  domestic  poultrj', 
and  is  generally  regarded  with  dislike.  I  have  known  of 
instances  when  he  has  ti.nost  completely  depopulated  a 
poultry-yard  before  he  could  be  captured. 

It  is  the  custom  of  the  Hawk,  when  he  has  once  had  a 
taste  of  a  flock  of  fowls,  to  visit  it  regularly  every  day  at 
about  the  same  time ;  sometimes  in  tiie  afternoon,  oftener 
in  the  morning. 

The  moment  his  cry  is  heard,  the  shrill  alarm  of  the  cock 
is  given,  when  the  hens  run  hither  and  thither,  cackling, 
and  adding  to  their  o^m  affright;  the  guinea-fowls  rattle 
their  discordant  notes ;  the  mother  with  her  chickens  becomes 
almost  frantic  in  her  efforts  to  protect  her  young  from 
the  inevitable  destroyer.  In  the  niidst  of  this  clatter,  the 
pii'ate  who  has  been  its  sole  cause  comes  on  eager  wing, 
and,  selecting  the  fattest  of  the  flock,  pounces  upon  it,  and, 
with  scarcely  an  effort,  bears  it  off  to  feast  his  mate  and 
young.  The  Ruffed  Grouse  (^Bonasa  umbellus')  and  Com- 
mon Hare  (^Lepus  Americanus)  both  fall  victims;  and  the 
number  he  destroys  is  very  great. 

The  Red-Tailed  Hawk  builds  its  nest  in  a  lofty  fork  of  a 
large  tree.  The  nest  is  one  of  the  largest  of  our  rapacious 
birds,  —  in  one  case,  to  my  knowledge,  exceeding  two  feet 
in  width  and  twenty  inches  in  depth.  It  is  constructed  of 
large  sticks  and  twigs ;  is  but  slightly  hollowed ;  and  is 
lined  with  smaller  twigs,  leaves,  and  moss.  The  eggs  are 
generally  three  in  number,  se'idom  more :  their  ground- 
color is  a  dirty  yellowish-white,  with  blc  i\es  of  a  yellow 
ish-brown,  and  sometimes  distinct  blotcl  es  of  a  darker 
brown.  Their  form  varies  from  nearly  spherical  to  ovoidal ; 
but  they  are,  in  general,  nearly  as  large  at  one  end  as  at  the 
other.  Dimensions  of  specimens  vary  fron^  2.12  to  2.25 
inches  in  length,  by  from  1.68  to  2  inches  in  breadth. 

Three  eggs  that  I  took  from  a  nest  in  the  southern  part 
of  Ohio,  early  in  the  month  of  April,  measure  2.18  by  1.62 ; 
2.14  by  1.70;  and  2.20  by  2  inches,  —  averaging  a  little 


THE  RED-SHOULDKUED  HAWK. 


87 


smaller  than  specimens  collected  in  New  England.  Thesu 
egga  must  have  been  laid  by  the  2i3th  of  March.  In  Now 
England,  they  are  seldom  laid  before  the  lust  weelc  in  April 
to  the  first  week  in  May. 


BUTEO  LINEATUS Janline. 


The  Red-shouldered  Hawk. 

F(Uco  lineatut  and  liyemalis,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  208,  274  (1788). 
Falco  buteuidea,  NuttuU.    Man.,  I.  100  (1st  edition,  1832). 

Dkschiition. 

Adult.  —  Wing  coverts,  from  its  flexure  to  tlie  body,  fine  bright  riifo'i-  breast 
and  otlier  lower  parts  of  tlie  body  paler  orange  rufous,  many  feathers  witli  transverse 
bars  and  spots  of  white,  wliich  predominate  on  the  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts; 
entire  upper  parts  brown;  on  tlie  head  mixed  with  rufous,  and  witli  wliito  spots  on 
the  wing  coverts  and  shorter  quills  and  rump ;  quills  brownish-blacli,  with  wliite  spots 
on  their  outer  webs,  and  with  bars  of  a  lighter  shade  of  brown  and  of  white  on 
their  inner  webs;  tail  brownish-black,  witli  about  live  transverse  bands  of  white, 
and  tipped  with  white. 

Youny.  —  Entire  upper  parts  yellowish-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  and 
oblong  spots  of  dark-brown ;  throat  dark  brown;  upper  parts  lighter  ashy-brown, 
with  manj"  partially  concealed  spots  and  bars  of  white;  quills  dark-biown,  with 
wide  transverse  bars  of  rufous  and  white  on  both  webs;  tail  ushy-brown,  with 
numerous  bands  of  pale-brow^nish  and  rufous  white;  tail  beneath  silvery-white; 
bill  light-blue  at  the  base,  bluish-black  at  the  tip;  cere,  basal  margin  of  the  bill, 
edges  of  the  eyelids  and  the  feet,  bright-yellow ;  iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  lemale,  twenty -one  to  twenty-three  inches;  wing,  fourteen;  taii, 
nine  inches.    Male,  eighteen  to  twenty  inches;  wing,  twelve;  tail,  eight  inches. 

Tliis  bird  is  a  rather  common  resident  of  all  New  Eng- 
land throughout  the  year.  Its  habits  are  so  nearly  like 
those  of  the  preceding,  that  I  can  add  nothing  to  that  I 
have  already  written. 

Tlie  best  account  of  the  bird's  habits  in  the  breeding 
season,  that  I  remember,  is  given  by  Audubon.  It  is  as 
follows :  — 

"  This  bird  is  one  of  the  most  uoisy  of  its  genus,  during  spring 
especially,  when  it  would  be  diificult  to  approach  the  skirts  of  woods 
borderinif  a  large  plantation  without  hearing  its  discordant  shrill 
notes,  —  ka-hee,  ka-hee,  —  as  it  is  seen  flailing  in  rapid  circles  at  a 
very  great  elevation.     Its  ordinary  flight  is  even  and  protracted, 


1^ 


15 


8 


~*<«-.-«»—^  ^_»  ».. 


38 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


excepting  when  it  is  describiug  tlie  circles  just  mentioned,  when  it 
often  dives  and  gambols.  It  is  a  more  general  inhabitant  of  the 
woods  than  most  of  our  other  species,  particularly  during  the  sum- 
mer, and  in  autumn  and  winter ;  now  and  then  only,  in  early  spring, 
showing  itself  in  the  open  grounds,  and  about  the  vicinity  of  small 
lakes,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  red-winged  starlings  and  wounded 
ducks. 

"  The  interior  of  woods  seems,  as  I  have  said,  the  fittest  haunts 
for  the  Red-shouldered  Hawk.  He  sails  through  them  a  few  yards 
above  the  ground,  and  suddenly  alights  on  the  low  branch  of  a 
tree  or  the  top  of  a  dead  stump,  from  which  he  silently  watches, 
in  an  erect  posture,  for  the  appearance  of  squirrels,  upon  which 
he  pounces  direct'.y,  and  kills  in  an  instant,  afterwards  devour- 
ing them  on  the  ground.  If  accidentally  discovered,  he  essays  to 
remove  the  squirrel ;  but,  finding  this  difficult,  he  drags  it,  partly 
through  the  air  and  partly  along  the  ground,  to  some  short  distance, 
until  he  conceives  himself  out  of  sight  of  the  intruder,  when  he 
Hgain  commences  feeding.  The  eating  of  a  whole  squirrel,  which 
this  bird  often  devours  at  one  meal,  so  gorges  it,  that  I  have  seen 
it  in  this  state  almost  unable  to  fiy,  and  with  such  an  extraordinary 
protuberance  on  its  breast  as  seemed  very  unnatural,  and  very 
injurious  to  the  beauty  of  form  which  the  bird  usually  displays. 
On  all  occasions  sucli  as  I  have  described,  when  the  bird  is  so 
goi'ged,  it  is  approached  with  the  greatest  ease.  On  the  contrary, 
when  it  is  in  want  of  food,  it  requires  the  greatest  caution  to  get 
within  shooting  distance  of  it. 

"  At  the  approach  of  spring,  this  species  begins  to  pair ;  and  its 
flight  is  accompanied  with  many  circlings  and  zigzag  motions, 
during  wliich  it  emits  its  shrill  cries.  The  male  is  particularly 
noisy  at  this  time.  He  gives  chase  to  all  other  hawks,  returns  to 
the  branch  on  which  his  mate  has  chanced  to  perch,  and  caresses 
her.  This  liappens  about  the  beginning  of  March.^  The  spot 
adapted  for  a  nest  is  already  fixed  upon,  and  the  fabric  is  half 
finished.  The  top  of  a  tall  tree  appears  to  be  preferred  by  this 
hawk,  as  I  have  found  its  nest  more  commonly  placed  there,  not 
far  from  the  edges  of  woods  bordering  plantations. 

"When  one  ascends  to  the  nest  (which,  by  the  way,  is  not 

1  May  in  New  Englnnd. 


"V.T  -,■ 


THE   RED-SHOULDERED    HAWK. 


39 


always  an  easy  matter,  as  our  beech-trees  are  not  only  very 
smooth,  but  frequently  without  uuy  boughs  to  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  ground,  as  well  as  of  rather  large  size),  the  female 
bird,  if  slie  happens  to  be  sittuig,  flies  off  silently,  and  alights  on  a 
neighboring  tree  to  wait  tlie  I'esult;  but  should  the  male,  who 
supplies  her  with  food,  and  assists  in  incubation,  bo  there,  or  make 
his  appearance,  he  immediately  sets  up  a  hue  and  cry,  and  plunges 
toward  the  assailant  with  such  violence  as  to  astonish  him. 

•'  When,  on  several  occasions,  I  have  had  the  tree,  on  wliich  the 
nest  was  placed,  cut  down,  I  have  observed  the  same  pair,  a  few 
days  after,  build  another  nest  on  a  tree  not  far  distant  from  the 
spot  m  which  the  first  one  had  been. 

"  The  mutual  attachment  of  the  male  and  the  female  continues 
during  life-  They  usually  hunt  in  pairs  during  the  wliole  year ; 
and,  although  they  build  a  new  nest  every  spring,  they  are  fond  of 
resorting  to  the  same  parts  of  the  woods  for  that  purpose.^ 

"  The  young  remain  in  the  nest  until  fully  fledged,  and  are  fed 
by  the  parents  for  several  weeks  after  they  have  begun  to  fly  ;  but 
leave  them,  and  begin  to  shift  for  themselves,  in  about  a  month, 
when  they  disperse,  and  hunt  separately,  until  the  approach  of  the 
succeeding  spring,  at  which  time  they  pair. 

"  Tills  Hawk  seldom  attacks  any  kind  of  poultry,  and  yet  fre- 
quently pounces  on  partridges,  doves,  or  wild  pigeons,  as  well  as 
red-winged  blackbirds,  and  now  and  then  young  rabbits.  On  one 
or  two  occasions,  I  have  seen  them  make  their  appearance  at  the 
report  of  my  gun,  and  try  to  rob  me  of  some  blue-winged  teals, 
shot  in  small  ponds.  I  have  never  seen  them  chase  any  other 
small  birds  than  those  mentioned,  or  quadrupeds  of  smaller  size 
than  the  Cotton  Rat." 


■•I 

n 

-Ml 
3 


S 


My  experience  has  been  different  from  the  above  para- 
graph ;  for  I  havo  known  of  this  Hawk  attacking  poultry, 
and,  even  several  times  in  the  same  flock,  killing  a  fowl  each 
time.  The  breeding  habits  of  this  and  the  Red-tailed  Hawk 
are  so  exactly  similar,  that  the  above  description  well 
answers  for  both. 


1  I  have  known  of  the  same  nest  being  occupied  by  a  pair  of  these  birds  foi 
Huvcro.  suasons.  —  E.  A.  S. 


40 


OHNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


I  have  found  several  nests  of  this  species  in  diirercnt 
localities,  all  of  which  were  placed  in  high  forks  of  trees. 
They  were  huilt  of  twigs  and  sticks  of  different  size3,  and 
usually  were  of  large  size.  A  nest  that  I  found  in  Milton, 
Mass.,  was  built  in  a  fork  of  a  largo  oak,  against  the  trunk, 
about  forty  feet  from  the  ground.  It  was  of  a  bulk  nearly 
suflicient  to  fdl.  a  bushel-basket:  it  was  considerably  hoi- 
hwed,  and  lined  witli  dry  grass  and  leaves.  The  eggs, 
two  in  number,  are  i"  the  cabinet  of  Dr.  Brewer,  who 
describes  tliem  as  foil  >•  a:  — 

"  Two  others  belonging  to  this  species,  obtained  in  Milton,  Mass., 
by  ]Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels,  aud  identified  by  securing  the  parent  birds, 
may  be  tiius  described:  One  measures  2~^  by  l|g  inch.  The 
gi'ound-color  is  a  dirty-white,  aud  is  marked  wi'th  large  blotches, 
lines,  and  duttings  of  umber-brown  of  various  shades,  from  quite 
dark  to  light.  The  other  is  2  inches  by  Ijg,  has  a  bluish-white 
ground,  and  is  only  marked  by  a  number  of  very  faint  blotches  of 
yellowish-brovn  and  a  slate-drab.  Except  in  their  shape,  which  is 
an  oval  spheroid,  slightly  pointed  at  one  end,  these  bear  but  very 
slight  resemblance  to  each  other,  though  taken  at  the  same  time 
from  one  nest." 

A  number  of  specimens  in  my  collection  exhibit  as  great 
a  variety  as  the  above  instances;  and  one  specimen,  obtained 
in  Connecticut,  whic.  measures  2.12  by  1.65  inches,  has  a 
dirty  ycUowish-whito  ground-color,  which  is  nearly  covered 
with  blotches  of  faint-purple ;  the  appearance  being  as  if 
the  purple  spots  were  laid  on,  and  then  a  coating  of  white- 
wash laid  over  them. 


BDTEO  PENNSTLVANICUS Bonaparte. 

The  Broad-winged  Hawk. 

Falco  Peiwsijkankm,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  VI.  92  (1812).    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  1. 161. 
Fako  WiUonii,  Bonaparte.    Jour.  Pliila.  Acad.,  III.  348  (1824). 

Deschiption. 

.i4(/i//<.  — Entire  upper  ports  umber-brown;  feathers  on  the  occiput  and  back  of 
the  neck  white  at  their  bases;  turoat  white,  witli  longitudinal  lines  of  brown  and 


THE   BROAD- WINGED   HAWK. 


4J 


«rith  a  patch  of  brown  on  each  side  running  from  tho  base  of  the  lower  niaiidil>le; 
breast  with  a  wide  band  composed  of  large  cordate  and  sagittate  spots  and  trans- 
verse bands  of  reddisli-ferruginous  tinged  with  asliy;  utiier  under  parts  white,  with 
numerous  sagittate  spots  of  reddish  on  the  Hanks,  abdomen,  and  tibiu;.  In  some 
specimens,  tho  ferruginous  color  predominates  on  all  the  under  parts,  except  tho 
under  tail  coverts,  and  all  the  feathers  have  large  circular  or  ovate  spots  of  white 
on  both  edges;  under  tail  coverts  white;  quills  brownish-black,  widely  bordered 
with  white  on  their  inner  webs;  tail  dark-brown,  narrowly  tipped  with  white,  and 
^tlth  one  wide  band  of  white  and  several  narrower  bands  near  the  base. 

I'ouHi/.  — Upper  parts  dull  umber-brown,  many  feathers  edged  with  fulvous  and 
ashy-whiie;  upper  tail  coverts  spotted  with  white;  under  parts  white,  generally 
tinged  with  yellowish,  and  having  longitudinal  stripes  and  oblong  and  lanceolate 
spots  of  brownish-black ;  a  stripe  of  dark-brown  on  each  side  of  the  neck  from  the 
base  of  the  under  mandible;  tail  brown,  with  several  bands  of  a  darker  shade  of 
the  same  color,  and  of  white  on  the  inne'  webs,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white. 
Hill  bluish-black  at  tho  tip,  blue  towards  the  base;  cere  and  margin  yellow;  iris 
hazel;   feet  gamboge-yellow;   claws  brownish-black. 

Total  length,  female,  seventeen  to  eighteen  inches;  wing,  eleven;  tail,  six  and  a 
'  „.,  to  seven  inches.  Alale,  total  length,  sixteen  to  sixteen  and  a  half  inches;  wing, 
ten  inches;  tail,  six  to  sL  and  a  half  inches. 

Tliis  bird,  until  quite  recently,  has  been  regarded  as  rare 
in  all  the  New-Englaud  States;  and  even  now  it  is  by  no 
means  common,  although  it  is  much  oftener  found  here  than 
formerly.  It  occurs  in  these  States  only  as  a  summer 
visitor,  arriving  in  the  spring  about  tho  middle  of  April,  and 
departing  for  the  South  in  October.  The  flight  of  this 
Hawk  is  quite  rapid,  consisting  of  long  intervals  of  soaring, 
with  shorter  periods  of  flappings  of  tlie  wings.  It  seems  to 
prefer  the  wilder  districts  to  the  more  thickly  settled  ones, 
and  is  most  often  met  with  in  the  interior  of  the  country. 
I  noticed  several  individuals,  in  the  course  of  a  day's  march 
in  Northern  Maine,  soaring  above  the  hemlock  and  pine 
forests,  and  uttering  their  shrill  key,  hy-ah,  ky-ah-ke-ee, 
ke-ee,  as  they  were  searching  for  prey  beneath  them.  Small 
birds,  reptiles,  squirrels,  and  insects  constitute  the  principal 
portion  of  their  food ;  and  they  seldom  attack  a  bird  larger 
than  a  pigeon  or  quail. 

Once,  while  listening  to  the  beautiful  song  of  the  White- 
throated  Sparrow,  I  was  startled  by  tho  sudden  appearance 
of  one  of  these  hawks,  which,  flying  within  a  yard  of  my 
head,  as  I  sat  in  some  bushes  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Umba- 


il3 


53 

K 


S 


42 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND  OOLOGY. 


gog,  pounced  at  a  Rod  Siiuirrel  (»S'.  Iladsonlui),  that  was 
chattering  at  me  from  tlio  top  of   a  hollow  stump:    tho 
squirrel  barely  escaped  by  diving  into  tho  hollow,  when 
the  hawk,  turning  suddenly,  rushed  at  my  little  songster, 
and,   clutching   him  through  the  vitals,  bore  him   off  in 
exultation.     So  sudden  was  tho  attack,  that  I  had  no  time 
to  cock  my  gun  before  he  was  half  a  dozen  rods  off,  when  I 
lired,  and  brought  him  to  the  ground :  the  sparrow  was,  of 
course,  dead.     The  hawk  was  only  wing-tipped;  and,  throw- 
ing himself  on  his  back,  his  feet  extended,  he  awaited  my 
approach.     As  I  drew  near  him,  he  emitted  a  sort  of  hiss  ; 
and,  as  he  glared  at  mo  with  rage-enkindled  eye,  he  appeared 
the  very  incarnation  of  wrath.    On  killing  him,  I  found  that 
he  had  had  one  of  his  tarsi  broken  before,  apparently  by  a 
shot :  it  had  heulcd,  but  had  lost  none  of  its  strength  ;  for,  as 
I  touclicd  him  witli  a  stick,  he  grasped  it  with  both  feet  so 
powerfully  that  all  his  claws  were  thrust  deep  into  the  wood. 
The  nest  is  rarely  found.    One  that  I  visited  in  West  Rox- 
bury,  Mass.,  on  the  20th  of  May,  1864,  had  four  eggs ;  it 
was  bailt  in  a  tall  pine-tree,  in  a  fork  near  the  top ;  it  was 
composed  of  coarse  sticks  and  twigs,  and  was  lined  with 
tlie  bark  of  the  red  cedar  and  a  few  leaves  and  feathers. 
The  eggs,  which  are  now  before  me,  vary  from  2  by  1.70 
inches,  to  2.15  by  1.72  inches  ;  their  color  is  a  dirty  yellow- 
ish-white, covered  more  or  less  thickly  in   the   different 
specimens  with  spots  and  blotches  of  reddish-brown :  an- 
other egg,   obtained  in  Newton,  Mass.,  in   the  previous 
season,  is  somewhat  smaller,  and  the  markings  arc  fainter, 
and  of  a  lighter  color.     Two  other  specimens  in  my  collec- 
tion,   collected  in   New    Hampshire,    correspond    to    this 
description ;  but  the  spots  are  much  liner  and  of  a  darker 
color. 

ARCIIIBUTEO,  Brehm. 

Archibuteo,  Brehm,  Isis,  1828,  p.  1269. 

Tarsi  densely  feathered  to  the  toes,  but  more  or  less  naked  beliind,  and  then  cov- 
ered with  scales.  Wings  long  and  wide;  toes  short;  claws  moderate;  tail  rathei 
short,  wide.    Other  characters  very  similar  to  those  of  Buteo 


111 


THE   ROUGH-LEGGED   HAWK. 


4R 


Tlii8  genus  contains  six  or  seven  species,  inhabiting  Europe,  Asia,  and  North 
America,  all  birds  of  heavy  tliougli  robust  organization,  subsisting  mainly  on  small 
i)uadrupcds  and  reptiles.  The  species  of  this  genus  are  easily  recognized  by  their 
having  the  tarsi  feathered. 


ABCHIBUIEO  LAGOPUS.— 6'ray. 
The  Bough-legged  Hawk. 

Falco  layopui,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.,  260  (1788).  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  877,  uid 
Wilson. 

Fako plumipeSf  Caudin.  Traite  d'Orn.,  II.  163. 
/Vco^jenna/t/g,  Cuvier.  Reg.  An.,  I.  323  (1817). 
Archibuteo  alticeps,  Brehm.    Vog.  Deutsch,  I.  40. 

Description. 

Tarsus  densely  feathered  in  front  to  the  toes,  naked  behind;  wing  long;  tail 
rather  short. 

Adult.  —  Head  above  yellowish-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brown  tinged 
with  reddish,  especially  on  the  occiput;  back  scapular,  and  shorter  quills  pale  cine- 
reous, with  partiallj'  concealed  transverse  bands  of  white  and  dark-brown,  the  latter 
frequently  predominating,  and  giving  the  color  on  the  back ;  rump  dark  umber-brown ; 
longer  quills  and  wing  coverts  umber-brown;  primaries  edged  externally  with  ashy, 
and  with  a  large  space  on  their  inner  webs  at  their  base,  white  with  a  silky  lustre; 
under  parts  white ;  throat  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  dark-brown ;  breast  with  large 
spots  and  concealed  stripes  of  reddish-brown ;  abdomen  with  numerous  transverse 
narrow  bunds  of  brownish-black,  most  conspicuous  on  the  flanks,  and  tinged  with 
ashy;  tibia;  and  tarsi  barred  transversely  with  white  and  dark-brown,  and  tinged 
with  reddish;  under  tail  coverts  white;  upper  tail  coverts  white  at  base  and 
tipped  with  brownish-black;  tail  white  at  base,  with  a  wide  subterminal  band  of 
black,  and  about  two  other  bands  of  black  alternating  with  others  of  light-cinere- 
ous; cere  and  toes  yellow;  iris  hazel;  under  wing  coverts  white,  with  spots  of 
brownish-black,  and  on  the  longer  coverts  with  a  large  space  of  ashy-brown. 

Younff.  — Upper  parts  light  umber-brown,  many  feathers,  especially  on  the  head 
and  neck  behind,  edged  with  yellowish-white  and  pale-reddish ;  a  wide  transverse 
band  or  belt  on  the  abdomen  brownish-black;  other  under  parts  yellowish-white, 
with  a  few  longitudinal  lines  and  spots  of  brownish-black;  quills  ashy-brown,  with 
a  large  basal  portion  of  their  inner  webs  white;  tail  at  its  base  white,  with  a  sub- 
terminal  band  of  light  umber-brown,  tip  white ;  tibias  and  tarsi  pale  reddish-yellow, 
with  longitudinal  stripes  and  spots  of  dark-brown;  cere  and  toes  yellow;  iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  female,  twenty-one  to  twenty-three  inches ;  wing,  sixteen  to  seven- 
teen inches;  tail,  nine  inches.  Male,  total  length,  nineteen  to  twenty-one  inches; 
wing,  fifteen  to  sixteen  inches;  tail,  eight  to  eight  and  a  half  inches. 

This  Hawk  is  rarely  seen  in  Now  Eugland,  appearing  only 
in  the  late  fall  and  winter  months.  I  have  had  no  opportu- 
nities of  studying  its  habits  and  characteristics,  and  will 
p;ive  the  short  description  by  Audubon.     He  says,  — 


i^ 


44 


OUNITHOLOOY    AND   OOLOGY. 


"The  Rough-Ieg;;,'ed  Hawk  sisldom  goes  further  soutli  along  our 
Atlantic  Coast  tiian  the  eastern  portions  of  North  Carolina ;  nor 
liiive  I  ever  seen  it  west  of  the  AUeghanics.  It  is  a  sluggish  bird, 
and  confines  itself  to  the  meadows  and  low  grounds  bordering  the 
rivers  and  salt  marshes  along  our  bays  and  inlets.  In  such  places, 
you  may  see  it  perched  on  a  stake,  where  it  remains  for  hours  at  a 
time,  unless  some  wounded  bird  comes  in  sight,  when  it  sails  after 
it,  and  secures  it  without  manifesting  much  swiftness  of  flight.  It 
feeds  princi])ally  on  moles,  mice,  and  other  small  quadrupeds,  and 
never  attacks  a  duck  on  the  wing,  although  now  and  then  it  pursues 
a  wounded  one.  When  not  alarmed,  it  usually  flies  low  and 
sedately,  and  does  not  exhibit  any  of  the  courage  and  vigor  so  con- 
spicuous in  most  other  hawks,  suff'ering  thousands  of  birds  to  pass 
without  pursuing  them.  The  greatest  feat  I  have  seen  it  perform 
was  scrambling  at  the  edge  of  the  water  to  secure  a  lethargic 
frog. 

"  They  alight  on  trees  to  roost,  but  appear  so  hungry  or  indolent 
at  all  times,  that  they  seldom  retire  to  rest  until  after  dusk. 
Their  large  eyes,  indeed,  seem  to  indicate  their  possession  of  the 
faculty  of  seeing  at  that  late  hour.  I  have  frequently  put  up  one 
that  seemed  watching  for  food  at  the  edge  of  a  ditch,  long  after 
sunset.  Whenever  an  opportunity  off"er,  they  eat  to  excess, 
and,  like  the  Turkey  Buzzards  and  Carrion  Crows,  disgorge 
their  food,  to  enable  themselves  to  fly  off.  The  species  is  more 
nocturnal  in  its  habits  than  uny  other  liawk  found  in  the  United 
States." 

I  have  never  met  with  the  nest  of  this  bird,  and  know 
but  Utile  of  its  breeding  habits.  It  does  not  breed  in  New 
England,  or,  if  it  does,  only  very  rarely,  preferring  the  more 
northern  sections  of  the  continent.  Two  eggs  in  mj  collec- 
tion, from  Canada,  are  of  the  following  dewcription.  Their 
ground-color  is  a  dirty  bluish-white,  which  is  covered  more 
or  less  thickly  on  different  parts  of  their  sui'face  with 
obscure  spots  and  blotches  of  different  shades  of  brown- 
ish-ochre and  faint-umber.  They  are*  broadly  ovate  in 
form,  and  are  2.87  by  1.75  inch  and  2.87  by  1.63  inch  iu 
dimensions. 


THE  BLACK   HAWK. 


AHCHIBUTEO   SANCTI-JOHANNIS.  -Gray. 
The  Black  Hawk. 

Falcc  lancli-jii/innmi,  Gm.     Syst.  Nat.,  273  (1788). 
Falco  nwa-terrai,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat,  I.  274  (1788). 
Faico  niger,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VI.  82  (1812). 

Desckiption. 

Adult.  —  Entire  plumage  glossy  black,  in  many  specimens  wiHi  a  brown  tinge) 
foielicad,  throat,  and  large  partially  concealed  spot  on  occiput,  white;  tail  with 
one  transverse  well-defined  band  of  white,  and  irregularly  marked  towards  the  base 
with  the  same  color;  quills  with  their  inner  webs  white,  readily  seen  from  below; 
cere  and  toes  yellow;  iris  hazel;  tarsi  densely  feathered  in  front,  naked  behind. 
Other  specimens  are  entirely  dark  chocolate-brown,  with  the  head  more  or  less 
striped  with  yellowish-white  and  reddish-yellow;  tail  with  several  transverse 
bands  of  white,  more  or  less  imperfect  and  irregular. 

Younr/. — Upper  parts  liglit  umber-brown,  with  the  feathers  more  or  less  edged 
with  dull-white  and  reddish-yellow;  abdomen  with  a  broad  transverse  band  of 
brownish-black;  other  under  parts  pale  yellowish-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes 
of  brownish-black,  frequently  giving  the  predominating  color  on  the  breast  and 
sides;  wings  and  tail  brown,  tinged  with  cinereous,  the  former  marked  witli  white 
on  their  inner  webs,  the  latter  white  at  their  base;  tarsi  and  tibias  pale  reddish- 
yellow,  spotted  with  brown;  cere,  feet,  and  iris  the  same  as  In  adult. 

Total  length,  female,  twenty-two  to  twenty-four  inches;  wing,  seventeen  to  seven- 
teen and  a  half;  tail,  nine  inches.  Male,  twenty  to  twenty-two  inches;  wing, sixteen 
to  sixteen  and  a  half;  tail,  eight  to  eight  and  a  half  inches. 

This  species,^  so  often  confounded  in  tlie  immature  plu- 
mage with  the  preceding,  but  which  may  be  separated 
from  it  by  its  greater  size  and  more  numerous  dark  spots 
beneath,  is  a  rare  winter  visitor  in  New  England.  Like 
the  Rough-legged  Hawk,  it  prefers  the  marshes  and  low, 
swampy  woods  to  the  higher  localities,  and  preys  upon 
mice,  wounded  ducks,  and  small  birds.  I  have  known  of  it 
being  killed  while  pursuing  a  flock  of  Snow  Buntings 
(^Plectrophanes  nivalis'),  and  have  heard  of  its  attacking  a 
flock  of  domestic  poultry.  Its  habits,  therefore,  are  ditTer- 
ent  from  those  of  the  A.  lagopus,  as  given  by  Audubon  ; 
but  it  lacks  the  courage  and  vigor  of  most  of  our  other 
rapacious  birds,  and  is  hardly  worthy  of  the  immortality  it 
has  received  from  the  pens  of  some  of  our  writers. 

The  distribution  of  this  species  is  limited  to  the  north- 
ern regions  of  the  continent  in  summer,  and  is  very  rarely 

^  See  Appendix. 


■i3 

k 

;3 


5 


46 


ORNITHOLOOY  AND   OOLOGY. 


founJ  south  of  Massaclmsctts  in  winter.  I  do  not  remem- 
ber of  an  instance  of  its  being  captured  far  inland,  although 
J.  A.  Allen,  before  quoted,  includes  it  in  the  catalogue  of 
the  birds  of  Springfield,  Mass. 

A  single  egg  in  my  collection,  from  Northern  America,  is 
of  the  following  dimensions :  2.17  by  1.70  inch.  Its  form 
is  a  perfect  ovoidal.  Its  primary  color  is  a  dirty  white; 
and  it  is  marked  with  obscure  blotches  of  lilac,  and  some 
obscure  blotches  of  brown  and  brownisli-yellow.  None  of 
the  markings  are  decided  ;  and,  Pt  a  little  distance,  the  egg 
has  the  appearance  of  being  of  a  dirty-white  color. 


Suh-Famibj  Milvin^.  —  The  Kites. 

Size  various,  usually  medium  or  small ;  general  form  usually  rather  slender,  and 
not  strong;  wings  and  tail  usually  long;  bill  short,  weak,  hooked,  and  acut' ;  tarsi 
and  toes  usually  slender,  and  not  strong,  sometimes  short.  Tlie  birds  of  this  group 
habitually  feed  on  reptiles  and  other  small  animals,  and  are  deficient  in  the  st  ength 
and  courage  of  the  other  groups  of  the  falcons. 

CIRCUS,  Lacepedk. 

Circus,  Lacepede,  Mem.  d'Inst.  Paris,  III.  CXI.  506  (1803). 

Face  partially  encircled  by  a  ring  or  ruff  of  short  projecting  feathers,  as  in  the 
owls;  head  rather  large;  bill  short,  compressed,  curved  from  the  bai;e;  nostrils 
large;  wings  long,  pointed;  tail  rather  long,  wide;  tarsi  long  and  slender;  toes 
moderate;  claws  rather  slender  and  weak. 

CIECUS  HUDSONIUS.  —  rieUlot 
The  Marsh-hawk;  Harrier;  Mouse-hawk. 

fako  ITudsonius,  Linnoeus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  128  (1766). 

Fnlco  uliginosiis,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  278  (1788). 

Falco  uUginosua,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VI.  67.  I 

Falco  cynneus,  Aububon.    Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  396. 

Description. 

Adult.  — Yorm  rather  long  and  slender;  tarsi  long;  ruff  quite  distinct  on  the 
neck  in  front:  entire  upper  parts,  head,  and  breast,  pale  bluish-cinereous,  on 
the  back  of  the  head  mixed  with  dark-fulvous;  upper  tail  coverts  white;  under 
parts  white,  with  small  cordate  or  hastate  spots  of  light-ferruginous ;  quills  brownish- 
black,  with  their  outer  webs  tinged  with  ashy,  and  a  large  portion  of  their  inner 


THE   marsh-hawk;    MAKKIKIi;    MOUSK-HAWK. 


47 


webs  white  i  fail  lifflit-cincrcous,  nearly  white  on  the  inner  webs  of  tlio  fcathorn,  and 
with  obsciiri!  transverse  bands  of  brown;  iindcr  mirfnoc  Killty-wljte;  iiiidcr  winjj 
i'overt«  white;  bill  blue-bliu  k  at  the  extremity;  core  and  IcK*  yellow,  tlie  fonncr 
with,  a  tinge  of  ((recn;  iris  Imzel. 

Younrjrr. —  Kntire  upper  parts  dull  umber-brown,  many  feathers  edRcd  with  dull 
rufous,  especially  on  the  neck;  under  parts  dull  reddish-white,  with  lou^itudinnl 
•tripes  of  brown,  mcst  numerous  on  the  tliroat  and  neck  before;  tibiio  tinged  with 
reddish;  npper  tail  coverts  white. 

i'liunr/.  —  Kntire  upper  parts  dark  umber-brown;  upper  tail  coverts  white; 
U!!der  parts  rufous,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brown  on  the  breast  and  sidfldi 
tail  reddish-bi'own,  with  about  three  wide  bands  of  dork-fulvous,  paler  on  the  inner 
wel)s,  tarsi,  cere,  and  iris  as  in  the  adult. 

Total  length,  female,  nineteen  to  twenty-one  inches;  wing,  fifteen  and  a  half; 
tail,  ten  inches.  Male,  total  length,  sixteen  to  eighteen  inches;  wing,  fourteen  and  a 
half;  tail,  eight  and  a  half  to  nine  inchcij. 


This  species  is  pretty  generally  diffused  throughout  New 
England  as  a  summer  visitor.  It  is  one  of  the  least  mis- 
chievous of  all  the  hawks,  as  it  destroys  but  few  of  the 
smaller  birds.  It  is  more  common  in  districts  that  are  low 
and  marshy  than  in  others ;  and  tliis  fact  gives  it  the  name, 
in  many  localities,  of  the  "  Bogtrotter." 

Its  flight  is  low  and  rapid,  consisting  of  long  intervals 
of  flappings,  with  shorter  periods  of  soaring.  I  do  not 
remember  of  ever  hearing  it  cry  out  in  the  manner  that 
other  hawks  do,  and  think  that  it  hunts  silently.  It  arrives 
from  the  South  from  about  the  middle  of  April  to  the  first 
of  May.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  birds  are  generally 
mated  before  their  arrival ;  for  they  are  almos'  always  seen 
in  pairs  from  their  first  appearance.  In  choosing  a  situation 
for  a  nest,  both  birds  arc  remarkably  nervous  and  restless : 
they  are  almost  constantly  on  the  wing,  prying  into,  and 
apparently  taking  into  account,  every  thing  with  reference  to 
future  comfort.  The  following  circumstances  came  to  my 
observation,  and,  as  I  improved  every  opportunity  to  watch 
the  proceedings,  will  serve  to  illustrate  the  breeding  habits 
of  this  bird :  A  pair  made  their  appearance  about  the 
middle  of  April,  a  few  years  since,  in  a  large  meadow  in 
Dedham,  Mass.  Tliey  were  apparently  mated  from  the 
first ;  and,  as  the  neighborhood  gave  promise  of  an  abun- 


•4 


8 


*p 


48 


OUNITII()L()(iY    AND   OOLOOY. 


daiico  of  food  ((MiM-inicn),  I  conoliidod  tliiU  this  would  bo 
soloolod  118  ft  broiHliiig- place,  and  watcliod  accordingly. 
Tlio  nialo  was  very  attontivo  to  hia  iiiato,  often  talking  to 
and  caressing  her.  If  she  should  alight  on  the  ground  or 
on  a  fence-rail,  ho  would  alight  with  her,  luid  ol'ten  fly  and 
wali<  around  her,  l)owing  and  ciiattering  in  u  ludicrous 
niamier.  After  a  situation  (luckily  where  I  could  watch 
tiieni  unobserved)  was  fi.xod  upon  for  a  nest,  both  birds 


were  very  active  in  its  construction.  It  was  bunt  on  a 
hunnuock,  perhaps  eighteen  inches  above  the  level  of  the 
meadow.  The  materials  used  in  its  construction  v.ero 
dried  grasses,  which  were  woven  together  rati  t  neatly.  It 
was  considerably  liollowed, — perhaps  an  inch  and  a  half, — 
and  lined  with  very  soft  grass.  The  external  diameter  of 
tiio  nest  was  about  eighteen  inches ;  internal  diameter, 
about  eight  inches.  Tiie  female  laid  four  eggs  of  a  dirty- 
white  color,  with  a  faint  tinge  of  blue.  In  one  specimen 
there  were  a  few  faint  spots  of  brown  ;  but  I  think  that 
generally  the  eggs  of  this  species  are  without  spots. ^  I 
have  seen  a  great  many,  and  but  a  very  few  had  spots,  and 
these  not  at  all  distinct.  A  great  number  of  specimens 
exhibit  a  variation  of  from  1.62  to  1.90  inch  in  length,  and 
from  1.32  to  1.2o  inch  in  breadth.  The  habits  of  this  bird 
entitle  it  to  the  protection  of  the  farmer.  It  subsists  almost 
entirely  upon  the  injurious  field-mice,  and  the  numbers  of 
these  animals  which  it  destroys  in  the  breeding  season  are 
incredible  :  from  early  dawn  to  dim  twilight  it  may  be  seen 
busily  searching  for  these  pests,  seldom  molesting  the  small 
beneficial  birds  or  poultry. 

1  Dr.  Brewer,  in  describing  the  eggs  of  this  species,  says :  "  With  but  a  single 
exception,  all  these  eggs  (six)  are  very  distinctly  blotched  and  spotted.  Their 
ground-color  is  a  dirty  bluish-white,  which  in  one  is  nearly  unspotted;  the  markings 
so  faint  as  to  be  hardly  perceptible,  and  only  upon  close  inspection.  In  all  the 
others,  spots  and  blotclies  of  a  light  shade  of  pnrplish-brown  occur,  in  a  greater  or 
less  degree,  over  their  entire  surface.  In  two,  the  blotches  are  large  and  well 
marked;  in  the  otherr,  less  strongly  traced,  but  quite  distinct.  This  has  led  to  a 
closer  examination  of  eggs  from  other  parts  of  the  country,  and  nearly  all  are  per- 
ceptibly spotted." 


THE  GOLDEN   EAOLE ;    THE  RINQ-TAILED   EAOLE. 


49 


Sub-Family  AQUiLiNiE.  —  T/ie  Eaylei. 

Size  large,  and  all  parts  very  atronKly  organized;  bill  lurt{i>,  coinpreKRed,  drniKlit 
tX  baw,  iiirved  and  ucuto  at  tip;  wiiiga  lung,  pointed;  tail  uinple,  geneiully  ruundrd; 
tarsi  moderate,  very  strung;  claws  curved,  very  ahurp  and  strung.  There  are  about 
st.'venty  i>pecies  of  eagles  of  all  countries. 


AQUILA,  MociiiiiNO. 


Aqnila,  Moeiihino,  Av.  Ocn.,  49  (1762). 

General  fonii  liirgu  and  very  strong,  and  adapted  to  long-continued  and  swift 
flight;  bill  large,  strong,  compreitsod,  and  hooked  at  the  tip;  wing.t  long,  pointed; 
tarsi  ratiier  short,  very  strong,  feathered  to  the  toes;  claws  nharp,  strong,  curved. 
This  genus  includes  about  twenty  species,  which  are  rtganled  as  the  tiue  eagles. 

AQUILA   CANADENSIS.  —  CifMin. 

The  Golden  Eagle ;  the  Sing-tailed  Eagle. 

Fulco  Cdiiadensis,  Linnieus.    tsyst.  Nut.,  I.  126  (1760). 
Fulfil  uiyer,  Gm.     .Syst.  Xut.,  I.  259  (1788). 
A((uU<t  nobitii,  I'allas.     Zoug.  Koss.  As.,  I.  338  (1811). 
Fiilco  chrysielui,  Wilson.     Aud.,  II.  401. 

DESCHU'TION. 

Adulc.  —  Large;  tarsi  densely  feathered  to  tho  toes;  head  and  neck  behind  light 
brownish-fulvous,  varying  in  shade  in  ditTerent  specimens,  frequently  light  orange- 
fulvous,  generally  darker;  tail  at  base  white,  which  color  frequently  occupies  the 
greater  part  of  the  tail;  other  terminal  portion  glossy  black;  all  other  parts  rich 
purplish-brown,  frequently  very  dark,  and  nearly  clear  binck  on  tho  under  parts  of 
the  body;  primaries  shining  black;  secondaries  purplish-brown;  tibiaj  and  tarsi 
brownish-fUlvous,  generally  mixed  with  dark-ashy;  cere  and  toes  yellow:  iris 
reddish-hazel. 

Youjif/er.  —  Entire  plumngc  lighter,  and  mixed  with  dull -fulvous;  under  parts  of 
tho  body  nearly  unifonu  with  the  upper  parts;  cere,  toes,  and  iris  like  adult. 

Total  length,  female,  thirty-three  to  forty  inches;  wing,  about  twenty-tive;  tail, 
about  tirteen  inches.  Male,  total  length,  thirty  to  thirty-live  inches ;  wing,  twenty 
to  twenty-three:  tail,  twelve  to  fourteen  inches. 

The  above  description  is  incomplete,  so  far  as  the  markings  of  the  tail  are  men 
tioned;  for  in  the  adult  bird  the  tail  is  entirely  black,  and  the  young  have  more  or 
less  white  in  proportion  to  their  age,  —  the  youngest  birds  having  the  widest  white 
band  at  the  base. 

This  bird  is  so  extremely  rare  in  New  England,  that  1 
have  had  no  opportunities  for  studying  its  habits.  It  is 
occasionally  found  here  in  different  seasons  of  the  year, 

4 


13 


:.1 
33 


8 


60 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


^1 


and  it  uiidmihtcdly  breeds  in  the  wildest  districts  of  those 
States.  Tiio  following  are  the  moat  iii^^^eresting  facts,  given 
by  Audubon,  in  relatiou  to  this  species :  — 

"The  Golden  Eagle,  although  a  permanent  resident  in  tho 
United  States,  is  of  rare  occurrence  there ;  it  being  seldom  that 
one  sees  more  than  a  pair  or  two  in  the  course  of  a  year,  unless  he 
be  an  inhabitant  of  tlie  mountains,  or  of  the  large  plains  spread  out 
at  their  base.  I  liave  seen  a  few  of  them  on  the  wing  along  the 
shores  of  the  Hudson,  others  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  Mississippi, 
some  among  the  Alleghanies,  and  a  pair  in  the  State  of  Maine. 
At  Labrador,  we  saw  an  individual  sailing,  at  the  height  of  a  few 
yards,  over  the  moss-covered  surface  of  the  dreary  rocks. 

"Although  powerful  in  fliglit,  it  has  not  the  speed  of  many 
liawks,  nor  even  of  the  White-headed  Eagle.  It  cannot,  like  the 
latter,  pursue  and  seize,  on  the  wing,  the  prey  it  longs  for;  but  is 
obliged  to  glide  down  through  the  air  for  a  certain  height  to  insure 
tlie  success  of  its  enterprise.  The  keenness  of  its  eye,  however, 
makes  up  for  this  defect,  and  enables  it  to  spy,  at  a  great  distance, 
tlie  objects  on  which  it  preys ;  and  it  seldom  misses  its  aim,  as  it 
falls  with  the  swiftness  of  a  meteor  towards  the  spot  on  which  they 
are  concealed.  Wlien  at  a  great  height  in  the  air,  its  gyrations  are 
uncommonly  beautiful,  being  slow  and  of  wide  circuit,  and  becom- 
ing the  majesty  of  the  king  of  birds.  It  often  continues  them  for 
hours  at  a  time,  with  apparently  the  greatest  ease. 

"  The  notes  of  this  species  are  sharp  and  harsh ;  resembling,  at 
times,  the  barking  of  a  dog ;  especially  about  the  breeding  season, 
when  the  birds  become  extremely  noisy  and  turbulent,  flying  more 
swiftly  than  at  other  times,  alighting  more  frequently,  and  evincing 
a  fretfulness  which  is  not  so  observable  after  their  eggs  are  laid. 

"  They  are  capable  of  remaining  without  food  for  several  days  at 
a  time,  and  eat  voraciously  whenever  they  find  an  opportunity. 

"Young  fawns,  raccoons,  hares,  wild  turkeys,  and  other  large 
birds,  are  dieir  usual  food ;  and  they  devour  putrid  flesh  only  when 
hard  pressed  by  hunger,  none  alighting  on  carrion  at  aiiy  other 
time. 

I  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  add  any  thing  to  our  knowl- 
edge of  its  habits  and  breeding  peculiarities.     Dr.  Brewer 


THE   WHITE-llEADfiD   EAGLE. 


51 


says,  "It  breeds  in  the  mountainous  portions  of  Maine, 
New  Hampsliire,  Vermont,  and  New  York."  The  Golden 
Eagle  usually  constructs  its  nest  on  the  sides  of  steep  rocky 
crags,  where  its  materials  are  coarsely  heaped  together  on 
a  projecting  shelf  of  rock.  These  consist  of  large  sticks 
loosely  arranged.  In  rare  instances,  they  are  said  to 
have  been  built  on  trees  in  the  Western  States,  where 
rocky  cliffs  arc  not  to  bo  met  with.  The  eggs  are  usually 
tlu'ee  in  number ;  sometimes  two,  or  only  o).e.  Mr.  Audu- 
bon describes  them  as  measuring  three  and  a  half  inches  in 
length  by  two  and  a'  half  in  breadth  ;  the  shell  thick  and 
smooth,  dull-white,  brushed  over  v/ith  undefined  patches 
of  brown,  which  are  most  numerous  at  the  larger  end. 

HALI^TUS,  Savigny. 

Size  large;  tarsi  short,  naked,  or  fcatliercd  for  a  short  distance  helow  tlie  joint 
of  the  tibia  and  tarsus,  and  with  the  toes  covered  with  scales;  toes  rather  long; 
claws  very  strong,  curved,  very  sharp;  bill  large,  very  strong,  conijiressed ;  margin 
of  upper  mandible  slightly  lobed;  wings  long,  pointed;  tail  moderate. 

HALI£TUS  LEUCOCEFHALUS. 

The  White-headed  Eagle;  the  Bald  Eagle;  the  Gray  Eagle. 

Falco  leucoceplialiis,  Linnoeus.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  124  (1766). 
Falco pygaryus,  Daudin.     Traite  d'Oni.,  II.  62  (1800). 
Fcdco  ossifrayut,  Wilson.    Am.  Oro.,  VII.  16  (1813). 

DESCUimoN. 

Bill  large,  strong,  straight  at  the  base,  rather  abruptly  hooked;  wings  longj 
tarsi  rather  short. 

Adult.  — Head,  tail,  and  its  upper  and  under  coverts,  white;  entire  other  plumage 
brownish-black,  generally  with  the  edges  of  the  feathers  paler;  bill,  feet,  and  irides, 
or  iris,  yellow. 

Younyer,  —  Entire  plumage,  including  head  and  tail,  dark-brown;  paler  on  the 
throat;  edges  of  the  feathers  paler  or  fulvous,  especially  on  the  under  parts;  tail 
more  or  loss  mottled  with  white,  which  color,  in  more  advanced  age,  extends  over  a 
large  portion  of  the  tail,  especially  on  the  inner  webs;  bill  brownish-black;  irides 
blown. 

Total  length,  female,  about  thirty-five  to  forty  inches;  wing,  twenty-three  to 
twecty-five  inches ;  tail,  fourteen  to  fifteen  inches.  Male,  tliiity  to  thirty-four  inches; 
wing,  twenty  to  twenty-two  inches;  tail,  thirteen  to  fourteen  inches. 


!::!, 


;^%V%.^%%-^%wvv^^y«^^%<%/%/%vw\. 


J  LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY  J 
1;  OF  ALCv^RTA  I 


b2 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY, 


This  beautiful  and  well-known  bird  is  occasionally  seen  in 
different  parts  of  New  England  throughout  the  year,  most 
commonly  near  the  seacoast  or  in  the  neighborliood  of  large 


tracts  of  water.  I  liave  had  several  opportunities  of  observ- 
ing and  studying  its  habits,  but  have  discovered  nothing  that 
has  not  been  already  presented  to  the  public.     Its  flight  is 


THE   WHITE-HEADED   EAGLE. 


03 


rapid  and  graceful,  and  is  ofton  prolonged  for  hours  witli 
apparent  ease.  It  feeds  upon  wild-fowl,  wild  geese,  and 
small  animals,  and  is  very  partial  to  tisli,  which  it  robs  from 
the  Fish  Hawk  (P.  Carolinensis),  and  linds  cast  upon  the 
shore,  dead. 

Wiison,  in  describing  its  attacks  on  the  Fish  Hawk, 
says :  — 

"  Formed  by  nature  for  braving  the  severest  cold ;  feeding 
equally  on  the  produce  of  the  sea  and  of  the  land ;  possessing 
powers  of  flight  capable  of  outstripping  even  the  tempests  them- 
selves; unawed  by  any  thuig  but  man;  and,  from  the  ethereal 
heights  to  which  he  soars,  looking  abroad,  at  one  glance,  on  an  im- 
measurable expanse  of  forests,  fields,  lakes,  and  ocean,  deep  below 
him,  —  he  appears  indifferent  to  the  little  change  of  localities  or 
seasons ;  as,  in  a  few  minutt-s,  he  can  pass  from  summer  to  winter, 
from  the  lower  to  the  higher  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  the  abode 
of  eternal  cold,  and  thence  de;:.v.end,  at  will,  to  the  torrid  or 
the  arctic  regions  of  the  earth.  He  is  therefore  found  at  all 
seasons  in  the  countries  he  inhabits,  but  prefers  such  places  as 
have  been  mentioned  above,  from  the  great  partiality  he  has  for 
fish. 

"  In  procuring  these,  he  displays,  in  a  very  singular  manner, 
the  genius  and  energy  of  his  character,  which  is  fierce,  contempla- 
tive, daring,  and  tyrannical,  —  attributes  not  exerted  but  on  par 
ticular  occasions,  but,  when  put  forth,  overpowering  all  opposition. 
Elevated  on  the  high  dead  limb  of  some  gigantic  tree  that  com- 
mands a  wide  view  of  the  neighboring  shores  and  ocean,  he  seems 
calmly  to  contemplate  the  motions  of  the  various  feathered  tribes 
that  pursue  their  busy  avocations  below,  —  the  snow-white  guLs 
slowly  winnowing  the  air ;  the  busy  tringoe  coursing  along  the 
sands ;  trains  of  ducks  streaming  over  the  surface ;  silent  and 
watchful  cranes,  intent  and  wading ;  clamorous  crows ;  and  all  the 
winged  multitudes  that  subsist  by  the  bounty  of  this  vast  liquid 
magazine  of  nature.  High  over  all  these  hovers  one  whose  action 
instantly  arrests  his  whole  attention.  By  his  wide  curvature  of 
wing  and  sudden  suspension  in  air,  he  knows  him  to  be  the  Fish 
Hawk,  settling  over  some  devoted  victim  of  the  deep.  His  eye 
kindles  at  the  sight ;  and,  balancing  himself,  with  half-opened  wings, 


^.2 


s 


OUNITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


on  the  branch,  lie  watclies  the  result.  Down,  rapid  as  an  arrow 
from  heaven,  descends  the  distant  object  of  his  attention ;  the  roar 
of  its  wings  reaching  the  ear  as  it  disappears  in  the  deep,  making 
the  surges  foam  around.  At  this  moment,  the  eager  looks  of  the 
Eagle  are  all  ardor;  and,  levelling  his  neck  far  flight,  he  sees 
the  Fish-hawk  once  more  emerge,  struggling  ^^  ith  his  prey,  and 
mounting  in  the  air  witli  screams  of  exultatior.  These  are  the 
signal  for  our  hero,  who,  launching  into  the  air.  instantly  gives 
cliase,  and  soon  gains  on  the  Fish-hawk :  each  exerts  his  utmost  to 
mount  above  the  other,  displaying  in  these  rencontres  the  most 
eleirant  and  sublime  aerial  evolutions.  The  unencumbered  Eagle 
rapidly  advances,  and  is  just  on  the  point  of  reaching  his  opponent, 
when,  with  a  sudden  scream,  probably  of  despair  and  honest 
execration,  the  latter  drops  his  fish  :  the  Eagle,  poising  himself  for 
a  moment,  as  if  to  take  a  more  certain  aim,  descends  like  a  whirl- 
wind, snatches  it  in  his  grasp  ere  it  reaches  the  water,  and  bears 
his  ill-gotten  booty  silently  away  to  the  woods. 

"These  predatory  attacks  and  defensive  manoeuvres  of  the 
Eagle  and  the  Fish-hawk  are  matters  of  daily  observation  along 
the  whole  of  our  seaboard,  from  Georgia  to  New  England,  and 
frequently  excite  great  interest  in  the  spectators.  Sympathy, 
however,  on  this  as  on  most  other  occasions,  generally  cides  with 
the  honest  and  laborious  sufferer,  in  opposition  to  the  attacks 
of  power,  injustice,  and  rapacity ;  qualities  for  which  our  hero  is 
so  generally  notorious,  and  which,  in  his  superior,  man,  are  cer- 
tainly detectable.  As  for  the  feelings  of  the  poor  fish,  they  seem 
altogether  out  of  the  question. 

"  When  driven,  as  he  sometimes  is,  by  the  combined  courage 
and  perseverance  of  the  fish-hawks,  from  their  neighborhood,  and 
forced  to  hunt  for  himself,  he  retires  more  inland,  in  search  of 
,'O'ing  pigs,  of  which  he  destroys  great  numbers.  In  the  lower 
parts  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  where  the  inhabitants  raise 
vast  herds  of  those  animals,  complaints  of  this  kind  are  very 
general  against  him.  He  also  destroys  young  lambs  in  the  early 
part  of  spring ;  and  will  sometimes  attack  old  sickly  sheep,  aiming 
furiously  at  their  eyes." 

It  generally  chooses  for  a  breeding-place  a  retired  spot 
ill  the  neighborhood  of  a  tract  of  water.     The  nest  is 


•   it* 


0 


^-  /, 


(11    I.M'J    I. Ill'   MiMl|ll>l'i('.     .■1.|.CI«MIIII> 


////y/r////    (   ^y//////. 


usually  plac 
occupied  by 
am  inrormod 
of  years  pas 
cliff  on  the  f 
few  miles  S( 
(Catalogue  ( 
of  Essex  Ini 
"  sometimes 
north  of  S] 
ever,  except 
sticks,  twigs 
of  these  stic 
is  a  bulky  a 
thickness  frc 
and  is  nearl; 
this  bird,  tl 
difference  a 
spherical,  a 
of  specimer 
from  2.31 


Pandion,  Sav 
AVings  very 
flight  like  the  pr 
thicli  and  strong 
sharp  i  toes  bene 
This  genus  c 
inhabiting  all  tei 


Falco  Caroli! 
Aquiln  piscat 
Pandion  Amc 
Falco  halicetu 
Falco  haluttu 


THE   FISH-HAWK. 


5b 


usually  placed  in  the  fork  of  a  largo  dead  tree,  and  is 
occupied  by  the  same  pair  of  birds  for  successive  years.  I 
am  informed,  that  a  pair  of  these  birds  have,  for  a  number 
of  years  past,  made  their  eyrie  ou  a  shelf  of  an  inaccessible 
cliff  on  the  side  of  what  is  called  "Diamond  Mountain,"  a 
few  miles  south  of  the  Umbagog  lakes.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen 
(Catalogue  of  Birds  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  "Proceedings 
of  Essex  Institute,"  vol.  IV.,  No.  2)  says  that  this  species 
"  sometimes  breeds  on  Mount  Tom,  about  twenty  miles 
north  of  Springfield,  Mass."  These  are  probably,  how- 
ever, exceptional  cases.  The  nest  is  constructed  of  largo 
sticks,  twigs,  branches  of  seaweeds,  tiirf,  and  moss  :  some 
of  these  sticks  are  nearly  or  quite  an  inch  in  thickness.  It 
is  a  bulky  affair ;  its  diameter  often  being  five  feet,  and  its 
thickness  from  two  to  three  foot.  It  is  not  much  hollowed, 
and  is  nearly  level  across  the  top.  Of  numbers  of  eggs  of 
this  bii'd,  that  T  have  examined,  I  could  see  no  material 
difference  as  to  shape  or  color ;  the  form  being  nearly 
spherical,  and  the  color  a  dirty  yellowish-white.  Length 
of  specimens  varies  from  2.93  to  3.07  inches;  breadth, 
from  2.31  to  2.47  inches. 

PANDION",  SAviojnr. 

Pandion,  Savigny,  Hist.  Nat.  d'Egypt,  I.  95  (1809). 

AVing3  very  long;  general  form  heavy,  and  not  adapted  to  vigorous  or  swift 
flight  like  the  preceding  cnglcsj  bill  short,  curved  from  the  base,  compressed;  tarsi 
thick  and  strong,  and  covered  with  small  circular  scales;  claws  large,  curved,  very 
Eharp ;  toes  beneath  rough ;  tail  moderate  or  rather  short. 

This  genus  contains  three  or  four  species  only,  nearly  allied  to  each  other,  and 
inhabiting  all  temperate  regions  of  the  world. 


5 


PANDION  CAEOLINENSIS Bonaparte. 

The  Fish-hawk.    Osprey. 

Falco  CaroUnetms,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  263  (1788). 
Aquiln  piscatrix,  Vieillot.    Ois.  d'Am.  Sept.,  I.  29  (1S07). 
Pandion  Americamis,  Vieillot.    Gal.  Ois.,  I  83  (1825). 
Falco  halicetus,  Linngcus.    Wilson,  '  -  '^  14. 

Fako  haluetut,  Linneeus.    Aud.  ;.,  ..  415. 


5G 


ORNITIIOLOOY  AND   OOLOGY. 


Deschiption. 

Whgs  !oiogi  legs,  foes,  and  claws  very  robust  and  strong. 

Adult.  —  Head  and  entire  under  parts  wliite;  stripe  tliriHigh  the  eye,  top  of  th« 
head,  and  upper  parts  of  the  hody,  wings  and  tail  dcop  unili'T-brown,  tail  having 
about  eiglit  bands  of  blacltish-brown;  breast  with  nUmurous  cordate  and  circular 
spots  of  pale  yellowish-brown;  bill  and  claws  bluish-black;  tarsi  and  toes  green- 
ish-yellow; iris  reddish-yellow. 

Youny.  —  Similar  to  the  adult,  but  v,:tli  :i.e  upper  plumage  edged  and  tipped 
with  pale-brownish,  nearly  whit  ^  i* .  or  tue  breast  more  numerous  and  darker 
colored. 

Total  length,  female,  about  tw  five  iii'ies;  wing,  twenty-one  inches;  ^»", 
ten  and  a  half  inches.    Male,  rather  .    r.Ier. 


"  Soon  as  the  sun,  great  ruler  of  the  3'ear, 
Bends  to  our  northern  climes  his  bright  career, 
And  from  the  caves  of  Ocean  calls  from  sleep 
The  finny  shoals  and  myriads  of  the  deep  ; 
When  freezing  tempests  back  to  Greenland  ride, 
And  day  and  night  the  equal  hours  divide,  — 
True  to  the  season,  o'er  our  sea-beat  shore, 
The  sailing  Osprey  high  is  seen  to  soar 
With  broad,  unmoving  wing ;  and,  circling  slow, 
Marks  each  loose  straggler  in  the  deep  below, 
Sweeps  down  like  lightning,  plunges  with  a  roar, 
And  bears  liis  struggling  victim  to  the  shore. 

The  long-houoed  fisherman  behfiUls  with  joy 
The  well-known  signals  of  his  rough  employ ; 
And,  as  he  bears  his  nets  and  oars  along, 
Thus  hails  the  welcome  season  with  a  song :  ~ 


TIIE  FISHERMAN'S  HYMN. 

The  Osprey  sails  above  the  sound ; 

The  geese  are  gone,  the  gulls  are  flying; 
The  herring-shoals  swarm  thick  around  ; 
The  nets  r.re  launched,  the  boats  are  plying. 
Yo,  ho,  my  hearts  I  let's  seek  the  deep. 

Raise  high  the  song,  and  cheerly  wish  her, 
Still,  as  the  bending  net  we  sweep, 
'  God  bless  the  Fish-hawk  and  the  flsher ! ' 

She  brings  us  fish  :  she  brings  us  spring. 
Good  times,  fair  weather,  warmth,  and  plenty; 

Fine  store  of  shad,  trout,  herring,  ling. 
Sheep's  head  and  drum,  and  old-wives  dainty. 


"  As  soon  1 


THE   FISH-HAWK. 


57 


To,  lio,  my  lieartg !  let's  seek  tlie  deep, 

Ply  every  oar,  and  clicerly  wish  her, 
Still  as  the  bending  net  we  sweep, 

'  God  bless  the  Fish-liawk  and  the  flsher  ! ' 

She  rears  her  young  on  yonder  tree ; 

She  leaves  her  faithful  mate  to  mind  'em  ; 
Like  us,  for  fish,  she  sails  to  sea, 
And,  plunging,  shows  us  where  to  find  'em. 
Yo,  ho,  my  hearts  !  let's  seek  the  deep, 
Ply  every  oar,  and  cheerly  wish  her. 
While  the  slow-bending  net  we  sweep, 
'  God  bless  the  Fish-hawk  and  the  flsher ! ' " 

Alexander  Witsos. 


The  common  and  well-known  bird  which  furnishes  tho 
theme  of  tho  above  beaxxtiful  verses  is  a  stimmcr  inliabitant 
of  New  England  along  the  whole  coast,  and  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  large  sheets  of  water.  The  males  arrive  from  the 
south  about  the  middle  of  April,  and  the  females  abotit  a 
week  later.  I  believe  that  the  same  pair  arc  constant  to 
each  other  for  several  years:  those  that  commence  their 
matrimonial  career  in  tho  spring  nsnally  mate  about  the 
first  week  in  May,  in  our  latitude.  The  movements  of 
the  male,  while  paying  court  to  the  female,  are  interesting; 
and,  as  Audubon  has  described  them  better  than  I  can 
myself,  I  will  give  his  description :  — 

"  As  soon  as  the  females  make  their  appearance,  which  happens 
eight  or  ten  days  after  the  arrival  of  the  males,  the  love-season 
commences,  and,  soon  after,  incubation  takes  place.  The  loves  of 
these  birds  are  conducted  in  a  different  way  from  those  of  the 
other  falcons.  The  males  are  seen  playing  through  the  air  amongst 
thoms'^'es,  chasing  each  other  in  sport,  or  sailing  by  the  side  or 
after  the  female  which  they  have  selected,  uttering  cries  of  joy 
and  exultation,  alighting  on  the  branches  of  the  tree  on  which 
their  last  year's  nest  is  yet  seen  remaining,  and  doubtless  congratu- 
lating each  other  on  finding  their  home  again.  Their  caresses  are 
mutual.  They  begin  to  augment  their  habitation,  or  to  repair  the 
injuries  which  it  may  have  sustained  during  the  winter,  and  are 


,,3 


13 


8 


68  OIlMTnOLOCiY   AND   OOLOGY. 

seen  siiiling  tn<,'ftli('r  towards  the  shores,  to  collect  the  drifted 
sejuvoods,  with  which  tlicy  line  the  nest  niicw.  They  filight  on  the 
l)cach,  Hciirch  for  the  dryest  find  largest  weed^-,  collect  a  mass  of 
them,  clench  them  in  tlnir  talons,  and  fly  towards  their  nest,  with 
the  materiiils  dangling  beneath.  They  both  alight  and  labor 
together.  In  a  fortnight,  the  nest  is  complete,  and  the  female 
deposits  her  eggs." 


The  nest  is  generally  placed  in  a  largo  tree  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  water,  either  along  the  seashore,  on  the 
margins  of  the  inland  lakes,  or  by  some  large  river.  It  is, 
however,  sometimes  to  bo  seen  in  the  interior  of  a  wood,  a 
mile  or  more  from  the  water.  I  have  concluded,  that,  in 
tlio  latter  case,  it  was  on  account  of  frequent  disturbance, 
or  attempts  at  destruction,  that  the  birds  had  removed  from 
their  usual  haunts.  Tlie  nest  is  very  large,  sometimes  meas- 
uring fully  four  feet  across,  and  is  composed  of  a  quantity 
of  materials  sulTicicnt  to  render  its  depth  equal  to  its  diam- 
eter. Large  sticks,  mixed  with  seaweeds,  ttifts  of  strong 
grass,  and  other  materials,  form  its  exterior,  while  the  in- 
terior is  composed  of  seaweeds  and  finer  grasses.  I  havo 
not  observed  that  any  particular  species  of  tree  is  preferred 
by  the  Fish-liawk.  It  places  its  nest  in  the  fork  of  an  oak 
or  a  pine  with  equal  pleasure.  But  I  have  observed  that 
the  tree  chosen  is  usually  of  considerable  size,  and  not  un- 
frcquently  a  decayed  one. 

The  Fish-hawk  is  gregarious,  and  often  breeds  in  colonies 
of  three  or  four  nests  in  an  area  of  a  few  acres.  The  males 
assist  in  inctibation. 

I  have  heard  of  instances  of  as  many  as  a  dozen  nests 
being  found  in  the  distance  of  half  a  mile  on  the  coast  of 
New  Jersey. 

In  New  England,  the  species  is  not  so  plentiful,  and  sel- 
dom more  than  one  nest  can  be  found  in  one  locality.  The 
flight  of  the  bird  is  strong,  vigorous,  and  well  sustained. 
(Vs  lie  flies  over  the  ocean,  at  a  height  of  perhaps  fifty 


THE   FISH-HAWK. 


0«.» 


foot,  his  long  winps,  ns  thoy  boat  the  nir  in  quick,  sharp 
strukt's,  giv  the  hird  (hf  appoaraiico  of  Ixing  nuicli  lurgor 
than  ho  really  is.  Wiion  lie  plunges  into  the  water,  he 
invariably  seizes  the  fish,  his  prey,  in  his  talons,  ami  is 
sometimes  immersed  to  the  depth  of  a  foot  or  eigiitecn 
inches  in  his  etVorts  to  capture  it.  He  is  of  a  peaeeatile 
disposition,  and  never  molests  any  of  his  feathered  neigh- 
bors. If  the  nest  is  plundered,  the  parent  attacks  the  in- 
truder, and  often  inflicts  ugly  wounds  in  its  defence. 

Mr.  Allen,  in  his  notes  on  the  "  Rarer  Birds  of  Massa- 
chusetts," remarks  while  the  osprey  "breeds  abundantly 
on  the  New  Jersey  coast,  on  portions  of  Long  Island,  on 
the  coast  of  Maine  and  about  the  large  lakes  in  the  interior, 
it  is  now,  only  seen  in  this  state,  (Massachusetts,)  so  far  as 
I  can  learn,  during  its  migrations." 

During  the  past  winter,  I  have  had  frequent  conversa- 
tions with  hunters  and  others,  interested  in  our  birds,  who 
are  residents  of  Plymouth  and  Barnstable  counties,  and 
their  testimony  is  that  in  the  large  tracts  of  woodland  in 
those  counties,  such  as  the  Plymouth  and  Sandwich  woods, 
the  osprey  nests,  not  in  communities,  but  so  frequently  that 
the  birds  and  nests  are  often  found. 

The  eggs  are  usually  laid  before  the  10th  of  May :  they 
are  generally  three  in  number.  They  vary  considerably, 
both  in  shape,  size,  and  markings.  In  a  mnjority  of  speci- 
mens in  my  collection,  the  ground-color  is  a  rich  reddish- 
cream,  and  covered  with  numerous  blotches  of  different 
shades  of  brown.  In  a  number  of  specimens,  these  blotches 
are  confluent,  and  the  primary  color  is  nearly  hidden.  Their 
form  varies  from  nearly  spherical  to  ovoidal,  and  the  dimen- 
sions from  2.28  to  2.44  inches  in  length,  and  from  1.65  to 
1  83  in  breadth. 


In 


§ 


«iO 


OUNITHOLOlJY   AND   OOLOOY. 


FAMir.v  STIJrGID.i:.     liii-  Owi.s. 

l-'orin  iimmlly  Nlmrt  nii.l  lieiivy,  with  lln'  lifml  (lixproportinnatcly  Inrge,  ntid  fre- 
qiii-iillv  liirtii-liiMl  with  cri^tih)  tiil'tn  <>l  iWithtr^  n'scinhlinn  thi"  fiim  of  (|uiulriii>(Ml><. 
(ii'iicnil  iirKiiiiiziilion  mliiiilcd  to  viffonuis  niid  iidisch'ss,  but  nut  rapid,  fliKht,  niid  in 
Iht'  cniitiiii'  "f  ii'iiniiil^  ill  till'  iiKiniinj,'  and  livcniiiK  twili^'lit. 

KvoH  iifinriily  very  hir),'i',  diiictcd  t'orwnrdr',  nnd,  in  tin'  j,'rintiT  number  of  spccioi, 
fornit'd  f<r  vocinK  by  twiliKht  or  in  tlie  iiiKlit!  bill  rntlior  strong,  curved,  nearly 
concealed  by  prifjertinjf,  bristle  like  feathers;  winj?s  ((eneriilly  lonn,  outer  c<lKe8  of 
priiiiiirv  iiuilU  frin^jed;  |e^;«  -eiiernlly  rather  short,  and  in  all  Kpecics,  except  in  one 
Asiatic"  ^vniii  (Kitnjui),  more  or  less  fenthereil,  generally  densely;  cavity  of  t'le  car 
verv  larj,'!!;  I'aco  encircled  by  a  more  or  lesc  perfect  ilisc  of  nhort,  risid  t'lnthcrs, 
whicli,  with  the  large  eyed,  gives  to  those  birds  uii  entirely  peciiliur  and  frequently 
catlike  expression.    Feinule  larger  than  the  male. 

Sub-Fv.mihi  Brn()M\.F..  —  The  Ifurned  Owh. 

Head  large,  with  erectile  and  prominent  car-tnlts;  eyes  large;  facial  disc  not 
complete  above  the  eyes  and  bill;  legs,  feet,  and  claws  usually  very  strong. 

BUBO,  CuviEB. 

Bubo,  CuvtKn,  Rfgne  Animal,  I.  331  (1817). 

Size  large;  general  form  very  robust  and  powerful;  head  large,  with  conspicuoua 
ear-tufts;  eyes  very  lar^e ;  wings  long;  tail  short;  legs  and  toes  very  strong,  densely 
feathered;  claws  very  strong;  bill  rather  short,  strong,  curved,  covered  at  base  by 
projecting  feathers. 

This  genus  includes  the  large  Horned  Owls,  or  Cat  Owls,  as  they  are  sometimes 
called.  These  birds  are  most  numerous  in  Asia  and  Africa,  and  there  are  in  all 
countriei  ibout  fifteen  species. 


■  i 


BUBO   VIBGINIANUS.  — flonnyjnrte. 

The  Great  Horned  Owl. 

Strix  Virginiana,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  287  (1788).    Bonap.  Syn.,  p.  37.    Nutt.,  I. 
124.    Wilson,  Audubon,  and  others. 

Suio  «r(ieu».  Swains.    Faun.  Mor.    Am.  Birds,  p.  86  (1831). 

Desciiiption. 
A'luU.  —  T.arge  and  strongly  organized;  ear-tufts  large,  erectile;  bill  strong, 
fully  cur\'ed;  wing  rather  long;  third  quill  usually  longest;  tail  short;  legs  and 
toes  robust,  and  densely  covered  with  short,  downy  feathers;  claws  very  strong, 
sharp,  curved;  variable  in  plumage,  from  nearly  wliite  to  dark-brown,  nsiially 
with  the  upper  parts  dark-brown,  every  feather  mottled,  and  with  irregular  trans- 
feree lines  of  pale-ashy  and  reddish-fulvous,  the  latter  being  the  color  of  all  the 
plumage  at  the  bases  of  the  feathers;  ear-t;  fti  Jaik-brown,  nearly  black,  edged  on 


lUki  UHEAT   UOU.ED  OWL. 


01 


IliPir  iMiifr  H'ciM  uilli  iliirk-riiUiiiM;  n  lilnck  i|i<i(  n))ov«  tliu  ey«;  riKliiilin^  rralticri 
lii'liiiid  (111'  I'vi,',  viin  iiiK  ill  ciil(ir  Injiii  nearly  whiti'  to  ilark  nililisli-fiihcui-',  ii«iially 
tliu  liiltir;  li'atlii'rn  nl'dii:  taiiul  illxi  li|i|iri|  wlili  hlai  k;  llirnat  and  neck  bL'liiii',  wliilf; 
lirra-t  with  wide  luii(;itiRiiiiiil  htii|H'H  ol  blai  k ;  cither  under  part!*  vurioKaled  w'th 
wliite  and  t'lilviiim.  and  every  tout licr  Imvinn  transverse,  narrow  lines  ot'diirk-lirowii, 
middle  (if  tlie  aliddiniii  l're(|iienlly.  but  nut  ulwayn,  white;  le^jt  and  tnes  varying 
t'roni  white  Id  daik-liilvmiH,  usually  iiale-Culvoiis;  in  iiii>»t  ciieeinieiH  un-iidtled,  but 
(Vei|iiently,  and  |ii'i)liably  always  in  lully  mature  h<ipeiinii'iis,  with  (niiisverne,  narrow 
liarH  of  dark-broun;  i|uilN  brown,  with  wi<lu  tiiiii»vei>e  baiuls  of  eiiiereous,  niiil 
usually  tiiii;ed  un  the  inner  wibi  with  pale  fulvoii-';  tail  the  saiii'',  with  the  fulvous 
predoiiiiiiatin^  on  the  outer  feathers;  iris  yellow;  bill  and  elawx  bluisli-blaek. 

DiiiH imioiit.  —  I'Viiiiile,  length,  twenty-one  to  tweiity-llvu  iiulies;  wing,  tburtepo 
and  u  half  to  sixteen;  tail,  ten  iiiehes.  Male,  eighteen  to  tweiityonu  inches;  wint;, 
Iburteea  tu  lllieeii;  tail,  niiit!  inches. 

rilUIS  woll-knowii  bird  is  a  resident  in  nil  tliuNew-En^lund 
A  States  tliruugliout  tlie  year.  It  is  not  so  cuniinou  in  Mas- 
saeliusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Rliode  Island  as  in  tlie  other 
States,  where,  iu  the  vast  tracts  of  forest,  it  is  tiuite  abun- 
dant ;  so  nmeli  so,  that  1  htive  heard  several  of  them  at  the 
same  time  making  ''  night  hideous  with  their  discordant, 
mournful  cries."  Never  shall  1  forget  a  serenade  1  once  had 
the  pleasure  of  hearing  in  the  State  of  Maine,  in  which  this 
bird  maintained  the  basso.  We  were  encamped  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Umbagog :  our  tent  was  pitched  on  a  blulV 
overlooking  the  lake,  and  behind  us  was  the  deep,  dark 
forest  of  pines  and  licudocks.  We  had  just  got  lairly  into 
our  first  nap,  the  sweet  follower  of  our  day's  toils,  when  we 
were  awakened  by  the  hootings  of  one  of  these  owls,  "  IVuw/h, 
hoo,  hoo,  hoo!"  or  "Who  cooks  for  you?"  as  the  Western 
traveller  understood  it,  which  seemed  to  be  addressed  to  us 
from  a  tree  almost  over  our  teut.  We  listened :  i)rcsently 
another  took  up  the  theme,  and  then  both  together.  They 
had  scarcely  finished  their  duet,  when,  from  away  up  the 
lake,  came  the  shrill,  xiioun  "ul  cry  or  scream  of  the  Loon : 
this  was  continued  and  answi  red  by  others,  until,  with  owls 
and  loons,  the  night  was  vocal  with  melodious  sounds. 
After  this  had  died  away,  and  all  was  still,  there  came  from 
a  bush  near  our  tent  the  almost  heavenly  song  of  the  White- 
throated  Sparrow,  the  "  Nightingale  of  the  North."     One 


•3 

5 


(J2 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND    OOLOGY. 


cannot  imagine  the  effect  produced  by  the  contrast :  he  must 
be  on  tlie  spot  in  the  dark  night,  and,  through  the  sighing  of 
the  winds  amid  the  grand  old  trees,  hear  tlie  owls  and  loons  ; 
then,  silence,  broken  by  the  beautiful  song  of  the  Nightin- 
gale. 

The  lliglit  of  the  Great  Horned  Owl  is  rapid,  noiseless, 
and  vigoi'ous:  he  passes  through  the  mazes  of  the  forest 
with  great  dexterity  and  case ;  and,  wlien  flying  above  the 
trees,  frequently  soars  in  the  manner  of  the  Hawks.  He  is 
very  destructive  among  domestic  poultry,  frequently  pouncing 
on  fowls  that  arc  roosting  on  trees  in  the  night,  and  bearing 
them  off  in  his  jxnvcrful  grasp.  This  habit  has  rendered 
him  obnoxious  to  the  farmers,  who  lose  no  opportunity  for 
destroying  him.  Rabbits,  grouse,  and  other  birds,  fall  vic- 
tizns  to  his  rapacity ;  and  I  have  often  shot  individuals  of 
tliis  species,  whose  feathers  were  so  impregnated  with  the 
peculiar  odor  of  the  skunk  as  to  be  unbearable  at  a  near 
approach. 

When  a  flock  of  crows  discover  the  presence  of  one  of 
these  birds,  they  immediately  collect  from  all  quarters,  and 
attack  him  on  every  side,  uttering  their  harsh,  discordant 
cries:  the  owl  is  kept  dancing  and  dodging  on  the  limb^  his 
perch,  in  a  ludicrous  manner ;  if  he  takes  to  flight,  l>e  is 
pursued  by  his  enemies,  and  soon  forced  to  alight.  I  have 
often  been  enabled  to  procure  a  specimen,  by  following 
a  noisy  mob  of  this  descrii)tion ;  just  as  we  often  are  able 
to  secure  one  of  the  smaller  owls  by  proceeding  to  the  copse 
where  numbers  of  small  birds  —  cat-birds,  chewinks,  and 
thrushes  —  are  scolding  at  their  enemy. 

I  have  had  several  specimens  of  the  Great  Horned  Owl 
in  captivity:  tliey  make  amusing  pets.  When  fed  with  raw 
moat,  they  seldom  take  it  freely  from  the  hand  or  tongo ; 
and  often  can  be  made  to  swallow  it,  only  by  our  opening 
their  bills,  and  putting  in  the  meat.  They  seem  to  have 
the  power  of  seeing  by  daylight ;  for,  if  a  living  animal  is 
introduced  into  their  cage,  they  instantly  seize  it.     I  have 


Grf.at  Ho 


.-^st^** 


t) 

0 


Grf.at  HouNF.n  Owl.   Puho  Virginianus.     RonapBrte. 


m  ; 
I  d 


often  put 
by  whicli 
seized  it,  as  if 
pertilio  Oaroh 
seized,  but,  a 
musky  seeut  ] 
reasou  for  the 
for  it. 

In  eating  its 
tears  it  with  i 
is  thrown  bael 
of  tlie  tliroat 
small  object, 
while  the  othc 
Owl,  as  iudee( 
and  follows  li 
time  snappiu} 

In  drinking 
are  taken,  aft* 

The  Great  ] 
most  retired  a 
tlie  student  m 
it  unless  by  a 
tree,  but  is  S( 
top  of  a  stub  ( 
of  rocks.  It 
with  leaves,  g 
in  number; 
white  color,  a\ 
nearly  spheric 
2  inches. 

A  nest  tilt 
about  the  mit 
stub  of  a  be( 
being  examin 
bers  sufficient 


THE   GREAT   HOIINED   OWL. 


m 


oftou  put  ill  a  (load  mouse,  with  a  string  attached  to  it, 
by  wliicli  I  dragged  it  across  the  cage :  an  owl  instantly 
seized  it,  as  if  it  were  alive,  and  ate  it.  A  living  bat  (  Ves- 
pertilio  CaroUnensis') ,  on  being  introduced,  was  instantly 
seized,  but,  after  being  killed,  was  rejected.  Tlie  strong 
musky  scent  peculiar  to  these  animals  may  have  been  the 
reason  for  the  owl's  not  eating  it:  if  not,  I  cannot  account 
for  it. 

In  eating  its  prey,  the  Owl  stands  on  it  with  both  feet,  and 
tears  it  with  its  bill :  if  the  piece  torn  off  is  large,  the  head 
is  thrown  back,  and  the  I'cpeated  contraction  of  the  muscles 
of  the  throat  forces  it  down.  In  holding  a  mouse  or  other 
small  object,  all  the  talons  of  one  foot  are  clenched  in  it, 
while  the  other  foot  is  left  free.  On  being  approached,  this 
Owl,  as  indeed  do  almost  all  the  others,  faces  the  intruder, 
and  follows  his  motions  by  turning  his  head,  at  the  same 
time  snapping  his  bill. 

In  drinking,  the  bill  is  immersed,  and  repeated  swallows 
are  taken,  after  the  manner  of  the  pigeons. 

The  Great  Horned  Owl  chooses  for  its  breeding-places  the 
most  I'ctired  and  inaccessible  places  in  the  deep  forests  ;  and 
the  student  might  search  for  weeks  for  its  nest,  and  not  find 
it  unless  by  accident.  It  is  usually  built  in  a  fork  of  a  tall 
tree,  but  is  sometimes  made  in  a  hollow  of  a  tree  or  in  the 
top  of  a  stub  or  stump.  Audubon  found  it  twice  in  fissnres 
of  rocks.  It  is  constructed  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and  is  lined 
with  leaves,  grasses,  and  moss.  The  eggs  are  usually  three 
in  number;  sometimes  four,  rarely  more:  they  are  of  a 
white  color,  with  a  very  faint  yellowish  tint ;  their  shape  is 
nearly  spherical,  and  they  average  in  size  2.2o  inches  by 
2  inches. 

A  nest  that.  I  found  a  few  miles  from  Marietta,  Ohio, 
about  the  middle  of  March,  18G5,  was  built  in  a  tall,  hollow 
stub  of  a  beech,  which  was  cut  down  for  the  purpose  of 
being  examined.  It  was  built  of  twigs  and  sticks,  in  num- 
bers sufficient  to  fill  the  cavity :  in  the  middle  of  these  were 


1-3 


0 


64 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY, 


arranged  a  few  leaves  and  pieces  of  moss,  and  a  few  feath- 
ers from  the  body  of  the  parent;  on  this  nest  were  found 
tliree  young  biids,  apparently  but  a  few  days  old,  as  they 
were  covered  witli  gray  dov.ii,  and  a  few  grayish  feath- 
ers. On  being  taken  in  tlie  hand,  they  clutclied  it  tight 
with  tlieir  claws,  and  squatted  perfectly  still.  The  iris 
oi'  tlieir  eyes  was  a  light-grayish  color:  tlie  inside  of  their 
mouths,  eyelitls,  and  ears,  were  yellowish.  At  the  foot  of 
the  stump  were  found  small  pellets  of  feathers,  smull  bones, 
and  liairs.  I  liave  heard  of  tlie  deserted  nest  of  a  crow  or 
hawk  being  occupied  by  this  Owl ;  but  usually  it  builds  its 
own  nest. 

SCOPS,  SAViG.N-y. 

Savignv,  Nut.  Hist.  Kgypt,  I.  105  (1809). 

SizcfiiiaM;  ear-l lifts  conspicuous;  he:i(l  large;  facial  disc  iniporfcct  in  front  and 
about  the  eyes;  bill  short,  nearly  covered  by  projecting  feathers;  wings  long;  tail 
rather  short,  and  lVcr|uently  curved  inv.'ards;  tarsi  rather  long,  more  or  less  fully 
covered  with  short  feathers;  toes  long,  generally  partially  covered  with  hair-like 
fe.'ithers;   head  large. 

General  form  short  and  compact.  This  genus  contains  twenty-fu'e  to  thirty 
species  of  small  owls,  inhabiting  all  parts  of  the  world  except  Australia. 


SCOPS  ASIO.  —  Bannjmrte. 
The  Mottled  Owl ;  Scriech  Owl ;  Bed  Ow;. 

S^ri'a;  ylsfV),  I.innKus.    Syst.  Nat.,  L  132  (176i.i).    Audubon,  ^ V :;   •     and  others 

Sirix  nm-iii,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  269  (1788). 

Bubo  slriatus,  Vieillot.     Ois.  d'Am.  Sept.,  L  54  (1808). 

«  Deschiption. 

"  Short  and  compact;  ear-tufts  prominent;  tail  short;  tarsi  rather  long. 

".!'/«/(.  —  Upper  parts  pale  ashy-brown,  with  longitudinal  lines  of  brownish-black, 
and  mottled  irregularly  with  the  same  and  with  cinereous;  under  parts  a.'hy-white, 
with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brownisb-blaek,  and  with  transverse  lines  of  the  .same 
color;  face,  lliriiat,  and  tarsi  ashy-white,  irregularly  lined  and  mottled  with  pale- 
brownish;  (piills  liniwn,  with  transverse  bands,  nearly  white  on  the  outer  wel)s; 
tail  pale  ashy-brown,  with  about  ten  transverse  narrow  bands  of  pale-cinereous; 
under  wing  coverts  white,  the  larger  tipped  with  black;  bill  and  claws  light  horn- 
;■  ilor;  iri'b;&  yellow. 

"  Younyo.r.  —  Kntire  upper  parts  pale  brownish-red,  with  longitudinal  lines  of 
firownish-black,  e:  ••. .  ially  on  the  head  and  scapidars;    face,  throat,  under  wing 
eoveils,  and  tarsi  reddish-v.'hite;  quills  reddish-brown;  tail  rufous,  with  bauds  of 
(irowM,  dari.er  on  the  inner  webs. 


■\p^ 


THE   MOTTLKD    OWL. 


65 


'^  Young.  —  Entire  piuma,  e  transversely  striped  with  asliy-whitc  and  pale-brown; 
wings  and  tail  pale-rul'ous. 

"  Total  Icngfli,  nine  and  a  half  to  ten  inches;  wing,  seven;  tail,  three  and  a  half 
inches.     Sexes  nearly  alike  in  size  and  color. 

•'  The  stages  of  plumage  described  above  have  been  regarded  as  characterizing 
distinct  species;  and  they  do  present  a  problem  scarcely  to  be  considered  as  fiillv 
solved.  This  bird  pairs  and  rears  young  while  in  the  red  plumage;  and  it  is  not 
nnusual  to  find  a  mottled  male  and  red  female  associated,  or  the  reverse  "  —  John 
Cassin. 

As  with  many  of  the  other  birds  of  prey,  tlic  different 
plumages  in  which  this  owl  is  taken  have  caused  great  con- 
fusion ;  and,  as  Mr.  Casr.in  truly  remarks,  the  matter  is  not 
yet  settled  beyond  doubt.  The 
observation  has  generally  been,      .^.-J^ 


that  the  young  birds  are  in  the 
red  plumage ;  but  I  have  cer-  ^J 
tainly  known  of  one  instance  % 
when  the  young  bird  was  in 
the  gray.  A  nest  was  found 
in  a  liollow  tree  in  Milton, 
Mass.,  in  which  there  were 
three  yoimg  birds.  They  were 
permitted  to  remain  ;  and  I  vis- 
ited the  nest  as  often  as  every ' 
two  days  until  they  flew  off.i 
The  last  time  that  I  saw  them,' 
—  the  day  before  they  left  the 
nest, —  they  were  fully  fledged,  and  they  had  very  few  marks 
of  brownish-red  in  their  plumage.  Whether  this  was  an 
exceptional  case,  I  know  not ;  but  I  will  present  the  obser- 
vations of  different  ornithologists  wiiich  conflict  with  my 
own.  I  will  also  quote  Audubon's  description  of  the  habits 
of  the  bird,  as  it  is  better  than  I  can  give  from  my  own 
experience,  though  it  corresponds  to  nay  observations  so  far 
as  they  go.    Ho  says,  — 

"  The  flight  of  the  Mottled  Owl  is  smooth,  rapid,  protracted,  and 
noiseless.  It  rises  at  times  above  the  top  branches  of  the  highest 
of  our  forest  trees  whilst  in  pursuit  of  largo  beetles  ;  and  at  other 

5 


■;3 


^ 


? 


66 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


times  sails  low  and  swiftly  over  the  fields,  or  through  the  woods, 
in  searcli  of  small  birds,  field-mice,  moles,  or  wood-rats,  from  which 
it  chiefly  derives  its  siihsistence.  On  alighting,  —  which  it  does 
phimply,  —  the  Mottled  Owl  immediately  bends  its  body,  turns  its 
head  to  look  behind  it,  performs  a  curious  nod,  utters  its  notes, 
then  shakes  and  plumes  itself,  and  resumes  its  flight  in  search  of 
prey.  It  now  and  then,  while  on  the  wing,  produces  a  clicking 
sound  with  its  mandibles,  but  more  frequently  when  perched  near 
its  mate  or  young.  This  I  have  th.ougiit  was  done  by  tiie  bird  to 
manifest  its  courage,  and  let  the  hearer  know  that  it  is  not  to  be 
meddled  with ;  although  few  birds  of  prey  arc  more  gentle  when 
seized,  as  it  will  suffer  a  person  to  touch  its  feathers  and  caress  it 
without  attempting  lo  bite  or  strike  with  its  talons,  unless  at  rare 
intervals. 

"  The  notes  of  this  Owl  are  uttered  in  a  tremulous,  doleful 
manner,  and  somt;\',liat  resemble  the  chattering  of  the  Leeth  of  a 
persou  under  the  influence  of  extreme  cold,  although  much  louder. 
They  are  heird  at  a  distance  of  several  hundred  ;''^rds,  and  by 
some  people  a  -e  thoutiht  to  be  of  ominous  import." 

These  notes  almost  exac^^ly  resemble  the  whimpering 
whine  of  a  smtJl  dog,  for  which  I  have  mistaken  them  on 
different  occasions. 


"  The  little  fellow  is  gtiicrally  found  about  farm-houses,  or- 
chards, and  gardens.  It  alights  on  the  roof,  the  fence,  or  the 
garden-gate,  and  utters  its  mournful  ditty,  at  intervals,  for  hours  at 
a  time,  as  if  it  ^vere  in  u  state  of  great  suffering ;  although  this  is 
far  from  being  the  c;isn,  —  the  song  of  all  birds  being  an  indication 
of  content  and  ItTppiness.  In  a  state  of  confinement,  it  utters  its 
notes  with  at  roi'cli  satiifuction  as  if  at  liberty.  TLey  are  chiefly 
heard  during  tne  latter  jiart  of  winter,  —  that  being  the  season  of 
love,  when  the  male  bird  is  particularly  attentive  to  the  fair  one 
which  excites  his  tender  em(n  j.is,  and  around  which  he  flies  and 
struts  much  in  the  m;inner  of  die  common  Pigeon,  .idding  numer 
ous  nods  and  bows,  tlu;  sight  of  which  is  verv  amusing. 

"  The  young  remain  in  the  nest  until  tlidj  are  able  to  fly.  At 
first,  they  .ii'c  covered  witii  a  downy  substance  of  a  dull  yellowish- 
white.     ^Sy  tlio  middle  of  August,  they  are  fully  feathered,  and 


THE   MOTTLED   OWL. 


«7 


lire  then  generally  of  a  rerldish-brown,  although  coiisiflerublo  differ- 
ences exist  between  individuals,  as  I  have  seen  some  of  a  dcep- 
chopolate  color,  and  others  nearly  black.  The  feathers  change 
their  colors  as  the  pairing  season  advances,  and  in  the  first  spring 
the  bird  is  in  the  perfect  dress." 

J.  P.  Norris,  writing  in  the  "  Country  Gcntir man," 
Jan.  11, 18G6,  says  that  he  secured  two  young  birds  of  this 
species  when  covered  with  down,  and  kept  them  until  they 
liad  become  feathered,  when  their  plumage  was  decidedly 
red  in  color. 

J.  P.  Giraud,  in  his  "  Birds  of  Long  Island,"  gives  a 
letter  from  J.  G.  Bell,  of  New  York,  in  which  that  gentle- 
man says,  that  he  lias  taken  the  yoting  birds  from  the  nest, 
covered  with  grayish-brown,  and  kept  them  through  their 
first  plumage,  which  was  red  in  color. 

These  and  other  writers  seem  to  agree  that  the  red  plum- 
age is  that  of  the  bird  in  tlie  first  year.  I  leave  it  to 
future  experimenters  to  deterniine  the  matter  beyond  a 
doubt. 

This  bird  feeds  largely  on  tlie  injurious  night-flying 
moths  and  beetles.  Numbers  of  specimens  tliat  I  have 
examined,  contained  in  their  stomachs  parts  of  these  in- 
sects and  small  mammals :  very  seldom  indeed  did  they 
have  feathers  or  other  parts  of  birds. 

The  Mottled  Owl  selects  for  a  nesting-place  a  hollow 
tree,  often  in  the  orchard,  and  commences  laying  at  about 
the  first  of  May,  in  the  latitude  of  the  middle  of  Massachu- 
setts. The  nest  is  made  at  the  bottom  of  the  hollow,  and 
is  constructed  of  grass,  leaves,  moss,  and  sometimes  a  few 
feathers.  It  is  not  elaborately  made,  being  nothing  more 
than  a  heap  of  soft  materials.  The  eggs  are  usually  four 
in  number:  they  are  pure-white,  smooth,  and  nearly  spher- 
ical in  form.  Their  length  varies  from  1.80  to  1.37  inch ; 
breadth  from  1.18  to  1.25  inch.  The  eggs  are  often  laid  on 
the  chips  at  the  bottom  of  the  hollow;  no  attempt  at  a 
nest  being  made. 


:3 


0 


68 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


OTUS,  CuviER. 

Otui,  CirviFH,  Rbgnc  Animal,  I.  327  (1817). 

General  form  longer  iiiid  more  slemler  than  in  the  preceding  genera;  head  mod 
erute;  ear-tut'ts  long,  erectile;  bill  rather  short,  curs-cd  from  the  base;  facial  disc 
more  perfect  than  in  the  ])ruceding;  wings  long;  tail  moderate;  tarsi  and  toes  cov- 
ered with  short  feathers;  claws  Inn;;,  curved;  eyes  rather  small,  and  surrounded  by 
radiating  feathers. 

This  genus  contains  ten  or  twelve  species  of  various  countries,  nil  of  which  are 
mure  handaume  birds  than  are  usually  met  with  in  this  family. 


OTUS  WILSONIANUS.  -Lesson. 

The  LoDg>eared  Owl, 

0<u»  inVsonmnw*,  Lesson.    Traite  d'Om.,  L  110  (1831). 

Olus  Ame.ricamis,  Bonaparte.     Comp.  List,  7  (1838).     Syn.,  37. 

Stvix  otiis,  Wilson,    lionaparte's  edition,  449. 

Strix  otiis,  Linnfciis.    Aud.  Orn.  IJiog.,  IV.  572.     Nuttall,  L  130. 

Description. 

Ear-tufts  long  and  conspicuous;  eyes  rather  small;  wings  long;  tarsi  and  toes 
densely  feathered;  upper  parts  mottled  with  brownish-blacl<,  fulvous,  aud  ashy- 
white,  the  former  predominating;  breast  pale-fulvous,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of 
brownish-black;  abdomen  white;  every  feather  with  a  wide  longitudinal  stripe,  and 
with  transverse  sitripos  of  lironiiisli-blnck;  legs  and  toes  pale-fulvous,  usually 
unspotted,  but  frequently  with  irregular  narrow  transverse  stripes  of  dark-brown ; 
eyo  nearly  eiK'ircled  with  black;  other  leathers  of  the  face  ashy-white,  with  minute 
lines  of  black;  .•..'•-tufts  brownish-black  edged  with  fulvous  and  ashy- white;  quills 
pylc-fulvous  at  tiieir  bases,  with  irregular  transverse  bands  of  brown;  inferior 
coverts  of  the  wing  pale-tulvous,  frequently  nearly  white :  the  larger  widely  tipped 
with  black;  tail  brown,  with  several  irregular  tran'  erse  bands  of  a.'ihy-fulvous, 
which  are  mottled,  as  on  the  quills;  bill  and  claws  dark  horn-color;  irides  yellow. 

Total  length,  female,  about  fifteen  inches;  wing,  eleven  to  eleven  and  a  h.ilf;  tail, 
six  inches.    Male  rather  smaller. 

This  species  is  rather  common  in  New  England,  rather 
preferring  the  less  settled  districts  to  the  others.  It  is 
eminently  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  and  has  the  power  of  see- 
ing in  the  daytime  to  a  less  degree  than  any  of  the  other 
species  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 

A  specimen  that  I  once  had,  as  a  pet,  could  not  see  my 
hand  as  it  approached  him,  and  would  permit  my  finger  to 
touch  his  eye  before  he  drew  over  it  the  thin  nictitating 
membrane  given  to  all  birds  to  protect  this  delicate  organ. 

I  do  not  remember  of  ever  hearing  this  owl  utter  a  cry 


THE  LONO-EAUED   OWL. 


69 


in  its  nocturnal   .•ambles;   and  I  think  that   it  hunts  ir 
silence,  except,  i,er)iaps,  in  the  mating  season. 

The  specimen  in  my  possession  would  not  eat  in  the  day- 
time ;  and,  if  1  led  it  then,  was  obliged  to  push  the  food  down 
its  throat  with  my  linger :  at  night,  it  fed  readily  on  raw 
meat,  but  was  rather  loath  to  cat  when  I  was  by,  or  when  a 
lamp  was  near  its  cage.  I  had  water  always  accessible  to 
it,  but  never  saw  it  drink,  and  think,  that,  in  the  space  of 
two  months,  it  drank  not  more  than  two  or  three  times ;  or, 
if  it  did,  the  quantity  it  took  was  so  small  as  not  to  be 
appreciable. 

Notwithstanding  the  comparative  abundance  of  this  spe- 
cies, its  breeding  habits  are  not  well  known.  I  have  been 
so  fortunate  as  to  find  several  nests,  all  of  which  were  built 
in  forks  of  tall  pines,  and  constructed  of  twigs  and  leaves. 
Audubon  sr-.ys :  — 

"  The  Long-eiired  Owl  is  careless  as  to  the  situatiou  in  which 
its  young  are  to  be  reared,  and  generally  accommodates  itself  with 
the  abandoned  nest  of  some  other  bird  that  proves  of  sullicient 
size,  whether  it  be  high  or  low,  in  the  fissure  of  a  rock  or  on  the 
ground.  Sometimes,  however,  it  makes  a  nest  itself;  and  this  I 
found  to  be  the  case  in  one  instance  near  the  Juniata  River,  in 
Pennsylvania,  where  it  was  composed  of  green  twigs,  with  tlie 
leaflets  adhering,  and  lined  with  fresh  grass  and  wool,  but  without 
any  feathers." 

Wilson  describes  its  breeding  habits  as  follows  :  — 

"  About  six  or  seven  miles  below  Philadelphia,  and  not  far  from 
the  Delaware,  is  a  low  swamp,  thickly  covered  with  trees,  and 
inundated  during  a  great  part  of  the  year.  Tliis  place  is  the  resort 
of  great  numbers  of  the  qua  bird  (Night  Heron),  where  they  build 
m  large  companies.  On  the  25th  of  April,  while  wading  through 
the  dark  recesses  of  this  plr.ce,  observing  the  habits  of  these  birds, 
I  discovered  a  Long-eared  Owl,  which  had  taken  possession  of  one 
of  their  nesta,  and  v/as  setting.  On  mounting  to  the  nest,  I  found 
it  contained  four  eggs  ;  and,  breaking  one  of  them,  the  young 
appeared  almost  ready  to  leave  the  shell.     There  were  numbers  of 


:3 

n 

s 


70 


ORNITHOLOGY  AXU   OOLUUV. 


tli(!  (lua  birds'  nests  on   thu  iuljoidiu-j  trees  all  aroiuul,  uud  oue 
of  lliciu  actually  on  tlio  samu  treo." 

Tho  reader  will  perceive  from  tho  above  account  of  tho 
breeding  luihits  of  this  bird,  that  it  is  variable  in  its  choice 
of  a  noHtiMg-j)laco,  although  every  nest  that  I  have  found, 
or  known  of,  was  built  iu  tall  pines,  and  constructed  as 
above;  and  I  have  known  instances  where  the  same  nest 
was  used  for  successive  breeding  seasons. 

The  eggs  are  generally  four  iu  number,  seldom  more. 
They  are  nearly  spherical  in  form,  and  of  a  pure-white 
color.  Dimensions  of  specimens  in  my  collection  vary  from 
1.40  to  1.(30  inch  iu  length,  by  from  1.80  to  1.40  inch  in 
breadth. 

lUUCllYOTUS,  Gould. 

nidchnotus,  Govi.li,  I'rno.  Zoo!.  Soc,  London,  1837,  10. 

KiU'-tulls  very  short  and  iiiconspiiuoii.s;  Ki^'uriil  form  rather  strong;  wings  long; 
tail  niodunite;  legs  ruthur  long,  which,  with  tho  toes,  are  fully  covered  with  uliort 
leathers;  claws  long,  very  .«liiirp,  and  rather  slender;  head  moderate;  eyes  rather 
small,  surrounded  liy  radiating  feathers;  facial  disc  imperfect  oil  the  forehead  and 
above  the  eyes;  tail  moderate. 

This  genus  contains  four  or  Ave  species  only,  the  two  best  known  of  which  are 
the  European. 

BEACHYOTUS  CASSINII.  —  brewer- 

The  Short-eared  OwL 

Brachyotus  Cnssinii,  Brewer.    Proc.  Boston  Soc.  of  Nat.  Hist. 
Strix  brachyotus,  Forster.    Phil.  Trans.,  London,  LXIL  384  (1772). 
Sliix  brachyotus,  Linnaiua.    Wilson  and  others. 

Descriition. 

Ear-tufts  very  short;  entire  plumage  buff  or  pale-fidvous;  every  feather  on  the 
upper  parts  with  a  wide  longitudinal  stripe  of  dark-brown,  which  color  predominates 
on  the  back;  under  parts  paler,  frequently  nearly  white  on  the  abdomen,  with 
longitudinal  stripes  of  brownish-black,  most  numerous  on  the  breast,  very  narrow 
and  less  numerous  on  tho  abdomen  and  flanks ;  legs  and  toes  usually  of  a  deeper 
shade  of  the  same  color  as  the  abdomen ;  quills  pale  reddish-fulvous  at  their  bases, 
brown  at  their  ends,  with  wide  irregular  bands  and  large  spots  of  reddish-fulvous ; 
fail  pale  reddish-fulvous,  with  about  five  irregular  transverse  bands  of  dark-bro\vn, 
which  color  predominates  on  the  two  central  feathers;  under  tail  coverts  usually 
nearly  white;  throat  white;  eyes  enclosed  by  large  spots  of  brownish-black;  ear- 
tufts  brown,  edged  with  fulvous;  bill  and  claws  dark;  irides  yellow. 

Total  '.cngth,  female,  about  fifteen  inches;  wing,  twelve;  tail,  six  inches.  Male 
rather  smaller. 


THE  GRAY  0WL3. 


'I 


I  regret  being  unable  to  add  any  thing  to  our  knowli.'tlgy 
of  the  history  of  this  bird.  I  have  had  no  opportunities 
fo:.'  obaerving  its  habits,  and  know  of  nothing  that  has  been 
noicu  •ocently  which  will  add  to  our  inlbnuation.  It  is 
not  conunou  in  any  part  of  Now  England,  and  is,  1  ijulievi;, 
more  often  met  witli  iu  the  ncigliborhood  of  the  seaeoast 
than  elsewhere.  I  have  never  met  with  its  ucBt,  but  have 
no  doubt  that  it  breeds  iu  these  Slates,  as  specimens  are 
occasionally  taken  here  iu  suuuuer. 

Ricluu'dsou  says  that  its  nest  is  formed  of  witiiercd  grass 
and  moss,  and  is  built  on  the  ground.  Dr.  Bryant  ("  Pro 
ceedings  of  Uostou  Society  of  Natural  History,"  January, 
1867)  describes  a  nest  found  ou  au  island  iu  the  Bay  of 
Fuudy  as  follows  :  — 

"A  nest  of  this  bird  was  found  by  Mr.  Cabot  iu  the  uildst  of  a 
dry  peaty  bog.  It  was  built  on  the  ground,  in  a  very  slovenly 
manner,  of  small  sticks  .and  a  few  f'eulhurs,  and  presented  hardly 
any  excavation.  It  contained  four  eggs  ou  the  point  of  being 
hatched." 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  pure-white  color,  and 
vary  in  dimensions  from  1.65  inch  by  1.2o  inch  to  1.50  inch 
by  1.23  inch. 


8 


Sub-Family  SyrniNuE.  —  The  Gray  Owls. 

Head  large,  with  very  smnll  and  concealed  car-tufts,  or  entirely  without.  Facial 
disc  nearly  perfect;  eyes  small  for  the  family  of  owls;  wings  rather  short,  or  not  so 
long  as  in  the  preceding;  tarsi  and  tot  generally  fully  feathered.  This  group  con- 
tains gome  of  the  largest  of  owls;  generally,  however,  the  size  is  medium,  and  fre- 
quently small. 

SYRNIUM,  Saviqny. 

Symium,  Savio.ny,  Nat.  Hist.  Egypt,  I.  112  (1809). 

Size  usually  large;  head  large,  without  car-tufts;  eyes  rather  small;  facial  disc 
somewhat  imperfect  in  front;  bill  stron;^,  curved  from  its  base;  wings  moderate, 
somewhat  rounded ;  fourth  and  fifth  quills  longest ;  tail  rather  long,  wide,  and  usu- 
ally  rounded  at  the  end;  legs  moderate,  or  rather  long,  which,  with  the  toes,  ara 
densely  covered  with  short  feathers;  claws  long,  strong,  very  sharp. 


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Sdences 
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72 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


•'-t- 


Species  of  this  gfiniis  inlmbit  principally  the  northern  parts  of  the  wo  -Id,  and  ara 
generally  characterized  by  the  prevalence  of  gray  or  cinereous,  of  various  shades,  in 
their  plum^ige. 

SYSNIUM  CINEBEDM.  — ^uduAotk 
The  Great  Cray  Owl. 

Stiixcineria,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  L  291  (1788).    Aud.  Dm.  Biog.,  IV.  364. 
Sti'ix  acclinator,  Bartram.    Travels,  289  (1790). 

Description. 

The  largest  Owl  of  North  America.  Head  very  large;  eyes  small;  tail  rather 
'ong;  upiier  parts  smoky  or  ashy  brown,  mottled  and  transversely  barred  witli 
ashy-white;  under  parts  ashy-white,  witii  numerous  longitudinal  stripes  of  dark 
asliy-brown  predominating  on  the  breast,  and  with  transverse  stripes  of  the  same  on 
the  abdomen,  logs,  and  under  tail  coverts;  quills  brown,  with  about  five  wide,  irregu- 
lar bands  of  ashy-white;  tail  brown,  with  five  or  six  wide,  irregular  bands  of  ashy- 
white,  mottled  with  dark-brown:  feathers  of  the  disc  on  the  neck  tipped  with  white; 
eye  nearly  encircled  by  a  black  spot;  radiating  feathers  around  the  eye,  with  regular 
tranoverse  narrow  bars  of  dark-brown  and  ashy-white;  bill  pale-yellow;  claws  pale 
yellowish-white,  darker  at  their  tips ;  iris  bright-yellow. 

Total  length,  twenty-five  to  thirty  inches;  wing,  eighteen ;  tail,  twelve  to  fifteen 
inches. 

This  bird  is  an  extremely  rare  winter  visitor  in  New  Eng- 
land ;  appearing  only  in  the  southern  districts  of  these 
States,  in  Massachusetts  even,  in  very  severe  seasons.  I 
never  saw  one  alive ;  have,  of  course,  never  seen  its  nest, 
and  can  add  nothing  at  all  to  our  knowledge  of  its  habits. 
It  breeds  in  the  most  northern  regions ;  and,  according  to 
Dr.  Brewer,  "  nests  in  high  trees."  Its  eggs  I  have  never 
seen.  Audubon  gives  the  following  account  of  this  spe 
cics :  — 

"The  comparatively  small  size  of  this  bird's  eyes  renders  it 
probable  that  it  hunts  by  day ;  and  the  remarkable  smallness  of  its 
feet  and  claws  induces  roe  to  think  that  it  does  not  prey  on  large 
animals.  Dr.  Richardson  says,  that  '  it  is  by  no  means  a  rare  bird 
in  the  fur  countries ;  being  an  inhabitant  of  all  the  woody  districts 
lying  between  the  Lake  Superior  and  latitudes  67°  or  68°,  and 
between  Hudson's  Bay  and  the  Pacific.  It  is  common  on  the 
borders  of  Great  Bear  Lake ;  and  there,  and  in  the  higiier  parallels 
of  latitude,  it  must  pursue  its  prey,  during  the  summer  months,  by 
daylight.  It  keeps,  however,  within  the  woods,  and  does  not  fre- 
quent the  barren  grounds,  like  the  Snowy  Owl ;  nor  is  it  so  often  met 


■A 

0 

'in 

ill 


§ 


"w? 


Barked  Owl,  Syniium  ne/ntlosum.     Gray. 


with  in  broad 
the  Bua  is  lov 
of  the  woods 
murine  animi 
forth  to  feed 

Audubon 
kept  one  of 
on  fish  and  i 
at  times  a  ti 
owl  (^Scopa  I 
dogs. 


titrix  nebulot. 
Strix  ndmtoH 
I.  242. 

Head  large, 
frequently  tinge 
numerous  on  the 
bands  of  brown 
tarsi  and  toes  asi 
mottled  and  bai 
bars,  nearly  pun 
light-brown,  wit 
discal  feathers  t 
of  black  in  front 
irides  bluish-bla 

Total  length 
Sexes  nearly  of 

This  Owl 
land;  is  m 
and  less  fr 
Horned  Ow 
soft  and  ra 
tive  lightne 
vision  is  ah 
surpasses 
I  kept  aliv( 
the  room 


THE  BARRFD  OWL. 


io 


with  in  broad  daylight  as  the  Hawk  Owl,  but  hunts  principally  when 
the  sun  is  low :  indeed,  it  is  only  at  such  times,  when  the  recesses 
of  the  woods  are  deeply  shadowed,  that  the  American  Hare,  and  the 
murine  animals  on  which  the  Cinereous  Owl  chiefly  preys,  come 
forth  to  feed;  " 

Audubon  speaks  of  a  gentleman  in  Salem,  Mass.,  who 
kept  one  of  these  birds  alive  for  several  months :  it  was  fed 
on  fish  and  small  birds,  of  which  it  was  very  fond.  It  uttered 
at  times  a  tremulous  cry,  not  unlike  that  of  the  little  Screech- 
owl  (^Scops  asio),  and  showed  a  great  antipathy  to  cats  and 
dogs. 

STBHIUM  NEBULOSUM.— 6'<vii/. 
The  Barred  Owl. 

Utrix  nebubta,  Forster.    Trans.  Philosoph.  Soc,  London,  LXIL  386,  424  (1772). 
Strix  nebutosa,  Linnieus.    Wilson,  304.    Bonap.  Syn.,  38.    Nutt.,  L  133.    Aud., 
L  242. 

Deschiption. 

Head  large,  -without  ear-tufls;  tail  rather  long;  upper  parts  light  ashy-brown, 
frequently  tinged  witli  dull-j'ellow,  with  transverse  narrow  bands  of  white,  most 
numerous  on  the  bead  and  neck  behind,  broader  on  the  back ;  brcai^t  with  transverse 
l)andsof  brown  and  white;  abdomen  ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brown; 
tarsi  and  toes  ashy-white,  tinged  with  fulvous,  generallj'  without  spots,  but  frequently 
mottled  and  banded  with  dark-brown;  quills  brown,  with  six  or  seven  transverse 
bars,  nearly  pure-white  on  the  outer  webs,  and  ashy-fulvous  on  the  inner  webs ;  tail 
light-brown,  with  about  five  bands  of  white,  generally  tinged  with  reddish-yellow ; 
discal  feathers  tipped  with  white;  face  ashy-white,  with  lines  of  brown,  and  a  spot 
of  black  in  front  of  the  eye;  throat  (Urk-brown;  claws  horn-color;  bill  pale-yellow; 
irides  bluish-black.  Sexes  alike- 
Total  length,  about  twenty  inches;  winj ,  thirteen  to  fourteen;  tail,  nine  inches. 
Sexes  nearly  of  the  same  size. 

This  Owl  is  rather  common  in  most  sections  of  New  Eng- 
land ;  is  more  often  seen  in  the  more  southern  localities, 
and  less  frequently  met  with  in  sections  where  the  Great 
Horned  Owl  is  most  abundant,  and  vice  versd.  Its  flight  is 
soft  and  rapid,  the  great  breadth  of  the  wings  and  compara- 
tive lightness  of  the  body  giving  it  remarkable  speed.  Its 
vision  is  almost  as  good  in  the  daylight  as  in  the  night,  and 
surpasses  that  of  most  of  our  other  owls.  A  specimen  that 
I  kept  alive  for  a  few  weeks,  often,  iu  the  daytime,  flew  about 
the  room  in  which  his  cage  was  placed :  he  alighted  with 


;i5 


0 


74 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND  OOLOGY, 


III 


case  on  the  backs  of  chairs,  or  on  other  pieces  of  furniture ; 
seldom  miscalculatuig  the  distance  or  missing  a  footing,  as 
many  of  the  other  owls  would  in  the  same  circumstances. 
This  bird  soon  became  tamo,  and  would  accept  food  at  almost 
any  time  in  the  day  or  night:  on  receiving  a  piece  of  meat, 
he  sometimes  attempted  to  clutch  it  with  his  foot,  and  my 
fingers  often  had  narrow  escapes  from  his  sharp,  crooked 
(alo..3.  Usually,  he  would  seize  it  with  his  moutli,  and,  if 
not  too  large,  swallow  it  without  tearing:  if  the  piece  was 
more  bulky  than  he  could  manage,  he  stood  on  it,  and  tore 
it  with  his  beak.  Fish  ho  invariably  rejected,  but  greedily 
ate  mice  and  small  birds :  a  dead  pigeon,  that  I  put  in  his 
cage,  was  untouched  for  several  days.  He  died  in  conse- 
quence of  a  hurt  ho  received  in  flying  against  a  window. 

The  Barred  Owl  subsists  principally  upon  small  birds, 
field-mice,  and  reptiles.  He  is  frequently  seen,  in  early 
twilight,  flying  over  the  low  meadow-lands,  searching  for  the 
mice  that  dwell  there :  ho  usually  takes  a  direct  course,  and 
sometimes  flies  so  low  that  the  tips  of  his  wings  seem  to 
touch  the  grass.  When  he  discovers  his  prey,  he  drops  on 
it  instantly,  folding  his  wings  and  protruding  his  feet,  in 
which  his  quarry  is  always  secured :  ho  often  captures  frogs 
that  are  sitting  on  tho  shores  of  ponds  and  rivers ;  but  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  the  statement,  quoted  by  Audubon, 
that  ho  often  catches  fish,  is  incorrect.  The  Barred  Owl 
usually  nests  in  high  trees,  placing  the  structure  of  sticks 
and  leaves  in  a  crotch  near  the  trunk.  The  eggs  are  usually 
three  in  number.  I  have  one  only  in  my  collection :  tliis  is 
pure-white,  almost  globular,  and,  except  in  shape,  hardly 
distinguishable  from  the  egg  of  the  domestic  hen.  It  is 
2  inches  in  length  by  1.68  in  breadth. 


'•  Strlx  Ttiit 


NYCTALE,  Brehm. 

Vijclnk,  Brehm,  Isis  (1S28),  1271. 

Size  small;  lioad  with  very  small  ear-tufts,  only  observable  when  erected;  eyes 
small;  hill  moderate,  or  not  very  strong;  facial  disc  nearly  perfect;  wings  nthet 
long;  tail  short;  lejjs  and  toes  densely  feathered. 


THE  SAW-WHET  OWL. 


76 


Contains  flvu  species  of  small  and  quite  peculiar  owls,  four  of  which  are  Ameri- 
can, and  one  European. 

NYCTALE  RICHARDSONIL  — i?(>nn/)(i)«. 
The  Sparrow   Owl. 

Xyclale  Richartltonii,  Bonaparte.    Comp.  List,  7  (1S38). 

'•  Strix  Ttiiijmabni,  Cjm."    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  660,  and  other  Americau  author*. 

Deschiption. 

The  largest  of  this  geiuis;  wings  long;  upper  parts  pale  reddish-brown,  tinged 
with  olive,  and  with  partially  concealed  spots  of  white,  most  numerous  on  the  head 
and  neck  behind,  scapulars,  and  rump;  head  in  front  with  numerous  spots  of  white; 
face  white,  with  a  spot  of  black  in  front  of  the  eye;  throat  with  browu  stripes; 
uuder  parts  ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  pale  reddish-brown;  legs  and 
toes  pale-yellowish,  nearly  white,  sometimes  barred  and  spotted  with  brown;  quill.i 
brown,  with  small  spots  of  white  on  their  outer  edges,  and  largo  spots  of  the  same 
on  their  inner  webs;  tail  brown,  every  feather  with  about  ten  pairs  of  white  spots; 
bill  light-yellowish  horn-color;  iridcs  yellow. 

Total  length,  about  ten  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  seven  and  a  half  inches;  tall, 
four  and  a  half  inches. 

Tliis  species  is  an  exceedingly  rare  winter  visitor  in  New 
England.  I  have  never  met  with  it  alive,  and  can  give 
from  my  own  observation  no  account  of  its  habits.  Dr. 
Richardson,  in  the  "  Fauna  Boreali-Americana,"  says :  — 

"  When  it  accidentally  wanders  abroad  in  the  day,  it  is  so  much 
dazzled  by  the  light  of  the  sun  as  to  become  stupid ;  and  it  may 
then  be  easily  caught  by  the  hand.  Its  cry  in  the  night  is  a 
single  melancholy  note,  repeated  at  intervals  of  a  minute  or  two. 
Mr.  Hutchms  says  that  it  builds  a  nest  of  grass  half-way  up  a 
pine-tree,  and  lays  two  white  eggs  in  the  month  of  May." 


NTCTALE  kCkniCk.  —  Bonaparte. 

The  Saw-Whet  Owl;  Acadican  OwL 

Strix  Acadka,  Gm.    Syst.  Nat.,  L  296  (1788).    Bonap.  S>ti.,  38.    Nu   all  and 
other  authors. 

"  Strix passerina,  Linnceus."    Wilson,  Am.  Om.,  IV.  66. 

Description. 

Small;  wings  long;  tail  short;  upper  parts  reddish-brown,  tinged  with  olirti; 

head  in  front  with  fine  lines  of  white,  and  on  the  neck  behind,  rump,  and  scapuIaTS, 

with  large,  purtially  concealed  spots  of  white;  face  ashy-white;  throat  white;  under 

parts  ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  pale  reddish-brown;  under  cjverta 


16 


OltNITHOLOOY  AND  OOLOiJY. 


t,f  wings  and  tail  white;  quills  brown,  with  small  spots  of  wliito  on  their  outei 
oiIkcs,  and  larRo  spots  of  the  same  on  their  inner  webs;  tail  brown,  every  feather 
with  about  three  pairs  of  sjwU  of  white;  bill  and  tliiws  dark;  irides  yellow. 

Total  length,  about  seven  and  a  half  to  eight  inches;  wing,  five  and  a  half 
inches;  tail,  two  and  three  quarters  to  three  inches.  Sexes  nearly  the  same  size, 
and  alike  in  colors. 

This  species  is  also  quite  rare  iu  New  England ;  but,  as 
it  is  occasionally  found  in  tlio  summer  uiouths,  is  probably 
a  resident  iiere  through  the  year.  Says  Audubon,  in  his 
description  of  this  bird,  which  is  very  full  and  perfect :  — 

"  The  Little  Owl  is  known  in  Massachusetts  by  the  name  of  the 
'  Saw-whet,'  the  sound  of  its  love-notes  bearing  a  great  resemblance 
to  the  noise  produced  by  filing  the  teeth  of  a  large  saw.  These 
notes,  when  coming,  as  tliey  frequently  do,  ft'om  the  interior  of  a 
deep  forest,  produce  a  very  peculiar  effect  on  the  traveller,  who, 
not  being  aware  of  their  real  nature,  expects,  as  he  advances  on  his 
route,  to  meet  with  shelter  under  a  saw-mill  at  no  great  distance. 
Until  I  shot  the  bird  in  the  act,  I  had  myself  been  more  than  once 
deceived  in  this  manner. 

"  A  nest  of  our  Little  Owl,  which  I  found  near  the  city  of  Natchez, 
was  placed  in  the  broken  stump  of  a  small  decayed  tree,  not  more 
than  four  feet  from  the  ground.  I  was  attracted  to  it  by  the  snor- 
ing notes  of  the  youiig,  which  sounded  as  if  at  a  considerable 
elevation;  and  I  was  so  misled  by  them,  that,  had  not  my  dog 
raised  himself  to  smell  at  the  hole  where  the  brood  lay  concealed, 
I  might  not  have  discovered  them.  In  this  instance,  the  number 
was  five.  It  was  in  the  beginning  of  June ;  and  the  little  things, 
wliich  were  almost  ready  to  fly,  looked  exceedingly  neat  and  beauti- 
ful. Their  parents  I  never  saw,  although  I  frequently  visited  the 
nest  before  they  left  it.  The  Little  Owl  breeds  more  abundantly 
near  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  than  in  the  intcior  of  t'^e  country, 
and  is  frequent  in  the  swamps  of  the  States  of  Maryland  and  New 
Jersey  during  the  whole  year.  "Wherever  I  have  found  the  young 
or  the  eggs  placed  in  a  hollow  tree,  i;hey  were  merely  deposited  oa 
tlie  rotten  particles  of  wood ;  and,  when  in  an  old  crow's  nest,  the 
latter  did  not  appear  to  have  undergone  any  repair.  Being  quite 
nocturnal,  it  shows  great  uneasiness  when  disturbed  by  day,  and 
flies  off  in  a  hurried,  uncertain  manner,  throwing  itself  into  the 


THE  SNOWY  OWL. 


77 


first  covert  that  it  moets  with,  where  it  is  not  diflicult  to  catch  it, 
provided  the  necessary  caution  and  silence  be  used.  Towards 
dusk,  it  becomes  full  of  animation,  flies  swiftly  —  gliding,  as  it 
were  —  over  the  low  grounds  like  a  little  spectre,  and  pounces  on 
small  quadrupeds  and  birds  with  the  quickness  of  thought." 

Tho  Saw-whet  Owl'  nests  in  hollow  trees,  in  cavities  of 
rocks,  and  in  deserted  crows'  and  woodpeckers'  nests.  Tho 
eggs  are  from  three  to  five  or  six  in  number ;  and,  according 
to  Dr.  Brewer,  are  of  a  bright,  clear  wliite,  and  more  like  a 
woodpecker's  than  an  owl's  in  their  crystalline  clearness. 
Dimensions,  1-^  by  ||  inch. 


Sub-Family  Ntcteinix^.  —  77ie  Day  Owls. 

General  form  compact  and  robust;  head  moderate,  without  ear-tufts;  wings  and 
tail  rather  long;  tarsi  strong,  which,  with  the  toes,  are  more  densely  covered  than 
in  any  otlier  division  of  this  family. 

This  division  embraces  two  species  only,  which  inhabit  the  arctic  regions  of  both 
continents;  migrating  southward  in  the  winter. 


NYCTEA,  Stephens. 

Nyctea,  STErnExs,  Cont.  of  Shaw's  Zool.,  XIII.  '!2  (1820). 

Large;  head  rather  large,  without  ear-tufts;  no  facial  disc;  legs  rather  short,  and 
with  the  toes  covered  densely  with  long  hair-like  feathers,  nearly  concealing  the 
claws;  bill  short,  nearly  concealed  by  projecting  feathers,  very  strong;  wings  long; 
tail  moderate,  or  rather  long,  wide ;  claws  strong,  fully  curved.  Contains  one  spe- 
cies only. 

NYCTEA  NIVEA.  — Cray. 

The  Snowy  OwL 

Strix  nivea,  Daudin.    Traite  d'Om.,  190  (1800). 

Strix  nyetea,  Linnseus.    Syst.  Nat  L  132  (1760). 

«' Strix  ni/c<en,  Linna!us."  Bonap.  Syn.,  36.  Nutt.  L  118.  Aud.  IL  135.  Wii- 
■on  and  others. 

Description. 

Bill  nearly  concealed  by  projecting  plumes;  ej'cs  large;  entire  plumage  white,  fro 
quently  with  a  few  spots  or  imperfect  bands,  only  on  the  upper  parts  dark-brown,  a  iid 
on  the  under  parts  wiili  a  few  irregulor  and  imperfect  bars  of  the  same;  quills  and 
tail  with  a  few  spots  or  traces  of  bunds  of  the  same  dark-brown ;  the  prevalence  oi 

'  See  Appendix. 


78 


OIINITIIOLOOY   AND   OOLOfiY. 


the  dark-I)r()wn  riilur  variPK  miicli  in  diffpront  upccimcnii  fypqupntly  botli  upper  Htiil 
uiiilcT  purls  ore  very  ili.stiiictly  Imnilt'd  trimsversrly,  nml  sDinctiiiu's  tliis  color  prc- 
tloiiiiimtis  oil  llio  Imik;  plumage  of  the  luyn  and  Iocs  pmu  snowy- white i  bill  nml 
rlawn  horn-color;  iridcii  yellow. 

Total  length,  Icnialc,  nhont  twpnty-KJx  inchcHi  wiiiff,  seventeen  to  nineteen) 
tail,  ten  iiiclics.    Male,  about  twciity-two  inches;  wing,  geventeen;  tail,  nine  iiiclic*. 

As  a  winter  visitor,  tiiroughout  all  New  p]iigland,  thin  liircl 
is  a  rather  common  species.  It  is  often  taliun  on  tlio  islands 
in  Massaclnisctts  Bay,  whore  it  feeds  on  fish  that  have  been 
thrown  up  on  the  shore  by  the  tide,  birds,  wonnded  sea- 
fowl,  and  even  dead  aiiinials,  as  I  am  informed  by  a  reliablo 
person  who  once  shot  one  while  perched  on  and  eating 
a  dead  horse  on  the  beach.  Tiic  fliglit  of  this  Owl  is  rapid 
and  protracted.  I  have  seen  an  individual  chase  and  cajv 
tnro  a  Snow  Bunting  (P.  nlvaVii)  from  a  flock;  and  once 
saw  one  make  a  swoop  at  a  flock  of  ponltry  which  had  come 
ont  from  their  house  on  a  fine  day,  but  whicli  immediately 
retreated  on  the  appearance  of  their  enemy.  The  Snowy 
Owl  hunts  both  in  the  daylight  and  twilight:  he  seems  to 
prefer  cloudy,  gloony  days  to  bright  ones,  and  is  most 
active  jnst  before  a  storm.  Audubon  says  that  this  Owl 
captnrcs  living  fish  in  the  water  by  standing  quietly  by  the 
margin,  and  seizing  its  prey  with  its  claws,  as  it  appears 
near  tlie  surface :  whether  this  is  a  regular  habit  or  not,  I 
cannot  say,  I  never  saw  one  do  so;  and  I  have  conversed 
witli  several  hunters  who  have  shot  numbers  of  specimens, 
and  they  all  were  ignor.tnr  of  such  a  fact. 

Of  the  breeding  habits  of  this  Owl,  we  are  ignorant. 
The  ITiubson's  Bay,  and  other  northern  countries,  are  its 
summer  homes.  Wlieelwright,  in  his  "  Spring  and  Sum- 
mer in  Lapland,"  gives  the  only  description,  of  its  nest  and 
eggs  accessible  to  me  at  present.     He  says :  — 

"  The  egg  of  the  Snowy  Owl  measures  2^  inches  in  length,  and 
If  inches  in  breadth:  its  color  is  pure-white.  The  nest  is  nothing 
more  than  a  large  boll  of  reindeer  moss,  placed  on  the  ledge  of  a 
bare  fell.  The  old  birds  guard  it  most  jealously  ;  in  fact,  the  Lap- 
landers often  kill  them  witli  a  stick  when  they  are  robbing  the 


Sn< 


3 


■^ 


Sno\\y  Owi,,  N^ydea  nivea.     Gray. 


neRt,  which  tl 
Snowy  Owl  v 
in  some  of  til 


.Surnw,  PuM 
(icncral  form 
liiftn;  fiielal  dia( 
jci'tinj;  pliiinefl; 
llie  toi'»  (U'lmi'l) 
regioni  of  butli 


Strix  ululn,  I 
"  Slrix  fune 
IV.  550. 

"  Strix  Ilwh 


Wings  iT.thci 
its  central  fcntl 
foftthcrcd;  «ppc 
fipofs  of  wliite 
throat  white,  w 
aide  of  the  brei 
brown;  quills 
iridcs  yellow  | 
more  or  lesB  nii 

Total  lengtl' 
Male  rather  tm 

This  1)11- 
New  Engl 
winter, 
and  hunts 
owls  are  h 
birds  and 
A  specime 
door-yard, 
just  capti 
Amoricanf 
grouse, th 


TIIK    HAWK    OWL. 


19 


nest,  which  they  do  upon  every  oocaMion  that  proRentu  itself.  The 
Snowy  Owl  will  oociisioiiully  niako  its  nest  on  tlie  lur^e  tnrf-liill(M'kH 
in  Bomc  of  Iho  mosses 

81TRNIA,  DuMRRii. 

Sumin,  DuMRKll.,  Z()nln({io  Annlvtlquo,  S<  (IPOfl). 

(icnvral  form  rntlicr  Um^,  l)ut  robust;  nizo  innlium;  head  mndrratn,  without  car- 
tnflK;  fucinl  disc  obsoli'lf;  hill  modernto,  curvod  t'rcitn  tin"  l)n«fl,  covi-rcd  with  pro- 
ji'ctiiiK  pliiincM;  win((><  lung;  tail  long,  wide,  graduntpd;  Icgn  rnthvr  Rhort,  and  with 
the  toi'H  densely  fuuthvrud;  contains  one  tpccici  only,  which  inhabit!  the  arctic 
regions  of  both  continents. 


SURNIA  UIiULA.  —  Hmnpnrtt. 

The  Hawk  Owl;  Day  Owl. 

Bti-ix  vlula,  LInntens.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  133  (1700). 

"  Strix  funeren,"  dm.  Donap.  Syn.  36.  Nutt.,  I.  116.  Aud.  Om.  Biog., 
IV.  050. 

"  Strix  nudionica."    Wilson,  VI.  64. 

Description. 

Wings  rethcr  long;  first  three  quills  innlscd  on  their  inner  webs;  toil  long,  with 
its  central  feathers  obout  two  inches  longer  than  the  outer;  tarsi  ond  tnes  densely 
feathered;  upper  parts  fuliginous-brown,  with  numerous  partially  concealed  circular 
ppots  of  white  on  the  neck  behind,  scapidars  ond  wing  coverts;  fuco  gniyish-whitc; 
throat  white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  dark-brown;  a  large  brown  spot  on  each 
side  of  the  breast;  other  under  parts  with  transvcrRu  lines  or  stripes  of  pale  ashy- 
brown  ;  quills  and  tail  brown,  with  transvcrxe  bands  of  white ;  bill  pale-yellowish ; 
iridcs  yellow;  color  of  upper  parts  darker  on  the  head,  and  the  white  markings 
more  or  less  numerous  in  diflerent  Bpccimcns. 

Total  length,  female,  sLxtcen  to  geventccn  inches;  wing,  nine;  tail,  seven  inches. 
Male  rather  smaller. 

This  bird  is  occasionally  mot  with  in  different  localities  iu 
Now  England ;  rarely  in  the  summer,  most  often  in  the 
winter.  As  its  name  implies,  it  is  diurnal  in  its  habits, 
and  hunts  its  prey  in  the  hours  when  most  of  the  other 
owls  are  hidden  in  their  retreats.  Its  food  consists  of  small 
birds  and  mice,  which  it  seizes  in  the  manner  of  the  hawks. 
A  specimen  was  obtained  in  Vermont  on  a  wood-pile  in  a 
door-yard,  where  it  was  eating  a  woodpecker  that  it  had 
just  captured.  Dr.  Richardson,  in  his  "Fauna  Boreali- 
Amoricana,"  says  that,  "  wlien  the  hunters  arc  shooting 
grouse,  this  'i'^d  is  occasionally  attracted  by  the  report  of 


80 


OUNITIIOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


the  gun,  and  is  often  bold  enough,  on  a  bird  being  killed, 
to  pounce  down  upon  it,  though  unable,  from  its  size,  to 
( arry  it  off. 
Tlie  Hawk  Owl   occasionally  breeds  in   New  England. 

My  friend,  Geoige  A.  Boardnian 
of  Milltowii,  Me.,  has  been  so  for- 
tunate as  to  find  its  nest,  with 
eggs,  in  that  neighborhood.  It 
usually  builds  in  a  hollow  tree, 
'^^  but  sometimes  constructs  a  habi- 
Jx;  tation  in  the  crotch  of  a  tall  treo, 
oi'  sticks,  grass,  and  feathers. 
According  to  Richardson,  it  lays 
two  white  globular  eggs. 

Two  beautiful  specimens  in  my 
collection,  from  William  Couper, 
Esq..  Quebec,  collected  at  North- 
ern Labrador  by  the  Montanaz 
Indians,  are  a  trifle  more  elongated  and  pointed  than  the 
eggs  of  tlic  Red  Owl  (^Scops  asio).  They  are  of  a  pure- 
white  color,  and  measure  1.50  by  1.25  inch  and  1.47  by 
1.22  iach. 


NOTES. 

I  append  the  following  notes,  that  have  been  kindly  fur- 
nished me  by  William  Couper,  of  Quebec,  Lower  Canada, 
for  the  pViipose  of  showing  the  northern  distribution  of  the 
birds  of  prey  described  in  the  preceding  pages :  — 

HTPOTEIOECHIS  COLUMBAHIDS.  —  Only  young  specimens  occur,  and 
those  rarely,  in  the  laiitude  of  Quebec :  they  are  more  common  toward  the 
western  portions  of  Lower  and  Upper  Canada.  It  has  not  to  my  knowledge, 
been  found  breeding  in  Canada. 

TINNUNCULDS  SPARVEBIUS.  — This  species  is  more  abundant  than  the 
preceling;  but  the  majority  of  the  specimens  shot  in  the  neighborhood  of 
^Juebec  are  young.    I  am  informed  that  it  breeds  in  the  vicinity  of  the  river 
'.t.  Maurice,  which  falls  into  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  west  of  Quebec. 


NOTES. 


81 


ASTDB  ATRICAPILiiUS.  —  Tlie  adult  of  tliis  species  is  very  i,uo  in  tliis 
latitude,  and  it  occurs  in  this  plumage  about  midwinter.  The  young,  how- 
ever, are  sometimes  common  during  the  autumn. 

ACCIPITEB  FDSCUS.  —  This  is  one  of  tlie  most  common  of  our  Hawks. 
It  occurs  in  young  plumajje  in  the  fall  also.  I  am  told  that  it  breeds  in 
Canada ;  but  I  have  not  had  the  good  fortune  to  And  its  nest.  Sportsmen 
liave  told  me  incidents  of  the  audacity  of  this  little  species.  They  say  it  is 
always  on  the  alert  for  woodcock  and  snipe,  and  knows  the  iuo)nent  tliat  one 
of  these  birds  is  wounded.  It  is  sometimes  so  bold,  tha*',  as  soon  as  the  shot 
strikes  the  intended  game,  the  Hawk  pounces  upon  it  to  carry  it  away. 

BUTEO  PENNSYLVANICOS.  —  This  species  is  very  common  here  during 
the  months  of  September  and  October.  It  is  generally  found  preying  upon 
frogs  and  a  species  of  common  field  locust.  I  liave  not  learned  that  it  breeds 
in  Upper  or  Lower  Canada. 

AECHIBUTEO  LAGOPUS.  —  Sometimes  this  species  is  very  abundant  in 
tlie  northern  mountains,  especially  where  there  is  a  plenty  of  hares  and 
grouse.    It  breeds  in  Labrador. 

CIBCUS  HUDSONIUS.  —  Occurs  only  in  the  fall,  and  then  in  young  plum- 
age Breeds  in  Western  Canada.  It  haa  not  been  detected  breeding  in  the 
northern  swamps  of  Lower  Canada. 

AQUILA  CANADENSIS.  —  The  adult  and  young  of  this  species  are  occa- 
sionally shot  here  during  autumn  and  winter.  I  think  it  breeds  on  some  of 
our  high  northern  mountains.  The  specimens  that  I  have  examined  had 
their  bodies  and  legs  stuck  full  of  porcupine  quills. 

PANDION  CAEOLINENSIS.  —  This  is  a  very  rare  visitor  in  the  northern 
regions.  I  understand  that  a  pair  arrive  annually,  and  breed  at  Lake  St. 
Joseph,  north  of  this  city.    I  never  saw  an  adult  specimen  in  Quebec. 

BUBO  VIRGINIANUS.  —  This  Owl  occurs  here  during  summer  and  win- 
ter. I  am  almost  certain  it  breeds  in  the  mountains  behind  the  city.  I  have 
had  the  young  in  the  down  from  Bay  St.  Paul,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river  St.  Lawrence,  below  Quebec. 

OTUS  WILSONIANUS  and  BEACHYOTUS  CASSINU  are  e.xtremely  rare 
here,  and  I  cannot  give  any  facts  in  relation  to  them. 

SIENIUM  NEBULOSTJM.  — This  is  the  common  Owl  of  our  forests. 

SYSNIDM  CINEEEUM.  — Is  an  accidental  winter  visitor. 

SUENIA  ULULA.  — This  bird  is  also  very  common  during  some  winters. 
It  breeds  in  the  northern  portions  of  Hudson's  Bay  and  Labrador. 

NYOTEA  NIVEA.  —  This  Owl  is  more  abundant  this  winter  (1867)  than  it 
has  been  for  years. 

NYCTALE  EICHAEDSONII  and  N,  ACADICA  also  occur  here.  The  former 
is  occasional ;   but  the  latter,  extremely  rare. 

6 


•1 
•  --. 

§ 


82 


ORXITIIOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


ORDER  II.  —  SCANSORES.    Climbers. 

The  characteristics  of  this  order  are  given  on  page  4  of  this 
volume.  It  is  represented  in  the  New-England  States  by  two 
families,  —  the  Cuculidce  or  Cuckoos,  and  the  Picidce  or  Wood- 
peckers. 

These  families  have  the  arrangement  of  two  pairs  of  toes 
opposed  to  each  other  in  common ;  otherwise,  they  are  much  dif- 
ferent in  their  characteristics. 

The  Cuculidce  have  "  bill  thin,  usually  slender,  and  rather  long, 
the  tip  more  or  less  decurved,  the  base  usually  without  rictal 
bristles ;  tarsi  usually  rather  long,  clothed  with  broad  plates  ante- 
riorly ;  the  tail  feathers  usually  ten,  sometimes  eight  or  twelve, 
all  long." 

The  PicidcR  have  "  bill  straight,  rigid,  and  chisel-shaped  at  the 
tip,  the  base  without  rictal  bristles ;  the  feet  are  stout,  and  clothed 
anteriorly  with  broad  plates  ;  tail  feathers  twelve,  the  exterior  very 
small  and  concealed."  ^ 

^  See  Introduction. 


thirty-five  one 


THE   YELLOW-BILLED   CUCKOO. 


88 


Family  CUCULIDiE.    The  Cuckoos. 
COCCYGUS,  ViKiLLOT. 

Ooecyttu,  Vieillot.    Analyse  (1816). 

Erythrophrya,  Swainson.    Class.  Birds,  IL  (1837),  322. 

Head  without  crest;  fcathcr.-t  about  base  of  bill  soft;  bill  nearly  as  Ion;;  as  th« 
head,  decurved,  slender,  and  nitunuated  towards  the  end;  nostrils  linear;  wingB 
lengthened,  reaching  the  middle  of  the  tail;  the  tertiais  short;  tail  of  ten  graduated 
feathers;  feet  weak;  fnrsi  shorter  than  the  middle  toe. 

Tlie  species  of  Cocfi/i/us  are  readily  distinguished  from  those  of  Gencoccyx  by 
their  arborial  habits,  confining  themselves  mainly  to  trees,  instead  of  living  habitu- 
ally on  the  ground.    The  plumage  is  soft,  fine,  and  compact. 

The  American  cuckoos  differ  from  the  European  cuckoos  ( Cucutua)  by  having 
lengthened  naked  tarsi,  instead  of  very  short  feathered  ones;  tlie  nostrils  are 
elongated,  too,  instead  of  rounded. 


COCCYGUS  AMEEICANUS.  —  Bonaparte. 

The  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

Vuculus  Americanus,  Linmcus.     Syst.  Xat.,  I.  (1766). 

Coccyzm  Americantia,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  I.  ri832).    Bonap.  Syn.,  42. 

Cuculus  Curolincnsis.     Wilson,  267. 

Descmption. 

Upper  mandible,  and  tip  of  lower  black ;  rest  of  lower  mandible,  and  cutting 
edges  of  the  upper  yellow;  upper  parts  of  a  metallic  greenish-olive,  slightly  tinged 
with  ash  towards  the  bill;  beneath  white;  tail  feathers  (except  the  median,  which 
are  like  the  back)  black,  tipped  with  white  for  about  an  inch  on  tl.„  outer  feathers, 
the  external  one  with  the  outer  edge  almost  entirely  white;  quills  orange-cinnamon; 
the  terminal  portion  and  a  gloss  on  the  outer  webs  olive ;  iris  brown. 

Length,  twelve  inches;  wing,  five  and  ninety-five  one-hundredths;  tail,  six  and 
thirty-five  one-hundredths. 


■■i 


"^ 


8 


THIS  bird  is  very  irregularly  distributed  through  New 
England  as  a  summer  visitor.  A.  E.  Verrill,  in  his 
catalogue  of  birds  found  at  Norway,  Me.,  says  that  "it 
is  not  common  as  a  summer  visitor."  George  A.  Board- 
man  writes  me,  that,  near  Calais,  Me.,  it  is  "  extremely 
rare."  J.  A.  Allen,  in  his  paper  on  Springfield  l)irds 
(before  referred  to),  calls  it  "  extremely  rare."  Dr.  Wood 
says  it  is  "  very  rare  "  at  East-Windsor  Hill,  Conn.,  where 


81 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGV. 


lie  lias  found  it  broedlng.  Wliilo  I  have  noticed,  tliat, 
tliougii  in  former  years  it  was  equally  abundant  with  the 
IJlack-billed  Cuckoo,  this  bird  is  now  growing  scarce  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Boston. 

This  species  arrives  from  the  South  from  about  the  2oth 
of  April  to  the  1st  of  May.     We  are  fir.«t  notified  of  iiie 
arrival  by  hearing  his  harsh  notes  in  the  opening  foliage  ; 
and  presently  we  see  him  moving  about  the  twigs,  busily 
picking  oil"  and  swallowing  the  caterpillars  and  other  larvae 
which  are  so  destructive  to  our  fruit  and  shade  trees.    Soon 
he   i)asses   to   another   tree,   still   pursuing   his   profitable 
search;    and,  when  he  has  gleaned  to  his  heart's  —  or 
rather  stomach's  —  content,  he  launches  himself  into  the 
air,  and  takes  fiight  for  another  gro^o  or  orchard,  perhaps 
a  half-mile  otT,  or  even  fiirther.     His  flight  is  rapid,  con- 
sisting of  repeated   strokes   of  his  wings,  but  it  is   not 
always  direct;  for  he  frequently  turns  from  a  sh'aight  course 
and  Hies  off  at  au  angle,  then  back  again  in  a  wavering 
manner.     Occasionally,  he  pauses  in  his  flight,  and  sud- 
denly descends  and  alights  on  a  shrub  or  low  bush,  as  if  he 
perceived  an  enemy  in  the  air  or  a  friend  in  the  bush. 
After  repeating  his  song, — ^'■Krow-krow-krow-krow-hrow;  krvr 
kru,  krurkrt'i,  kru-kru,"  —  he  is  off  again,  and  is  soon  out 
of  sight. 

The  male  arrives  about  ten  days  before  the  female.  As 
soon  as  the  latter  makes  her  appearance,  the  male  com- 
mences his  courtship.  He  is  very  attentive  to  her,  watch- 
ing her  every  movement,  and  following  her  every  flight. 
Although  usually  very  cowardly,  he  is  at  this  period  toler- 
ably brave,  and  will  even  attempt  to  molest  any  other  bii-d 
that  happens  to  be  near,  but  usually  with  poor  success  ;  for, 
as  his  cowardice  is  traditional  among  the  birds,  they  will 
turn  upon  him,  and  drive  him  off  discomfited.  When  the 
couple  have  mated,  they  soon  commence  building.  The 
nest  is  placed  in  a  low  bough  of  a  tree,  or  in  a  shrub  or 
barberry  bush.     It  is  a  loose,  straggling  affair,  composed  ot 


THE   BLACK-BILLED   CUCKOO. 


85 


sticks  and  twigs,  and  sometimes  a  few  pieces  of  moss.  The 
eggs  arc  usually  four  in  number ;  they  arc  of  a  light 
greenish-blue  color,  and  almost  invariably  larger  than  those 
of  the  Black-billed  Cuckoo.  A  number  of  specimens  before 
me  vary  from  1.07  to  1.25  of  an  inch  in  length,  by  from  .84 
to  .96  inch  in  breadth.  But  one  brood  is  reared  in  the 
season. 

COCCTGDS  EETTHBOPHTHALMUS.  —  Bonaparte. 
The  Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

Vuculus  erythrophthalmut,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  IV.  (1811),  16. 

Coccyzvs  erythrophthalmus,   Audubon.      Orn.    Bioj?.,   I.   (1832),    170.      Bonap. 

Syn.,  42. 

Description. 

Bill  entirely  black;  upper  parts  generally  of  a  metallic  greenish-olive,  ashy  to- 
wards the  base  of  the  bill ;  beneath  pure-white,  with  a  brownish-yellc"  tinge  on  the 
throat;  inner  webs  of  the  quills  tinged  with  cinnamon;  under  surface  of  all  the  tail 
feathers  hoar3-  ash-gray;  all  beneath  the  central,  on  cither  side,  suil'iiscd  witli  darker 
to  the  short,  bluish-white,  and  not  well-defined  tip;  a  naked  red  skin  round  the  eye ; 
iris,  hazel. 1 

Length  about  twelve  inches;  wing,  five;  tail,  six  and  a  half. 

This  species  is  quite  abundantly  distributed  throughout 
New  England  as  a  summer  visitor,  reaching  to  more  north- 
ern latitudes  than  the  other.  It  arrives  from  the  South 
about  the  first  week  in  May ; 
and,  like  the  Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo,  the  males  precede 
the  females.  I  have  exam- 
ined numbers  of  the  first 
bii'ds  that  arrived  in  differ- 
ent seasons,  and  they  were 
invariably  males ;  the  females 
making  their  appearance 
about  ten  days  or  a  fortnight 
later.  The  habits  of  the  two 
species  are  very  similar,  although  the  present  bird  prefers 
the  more  cultivated   and   open  districts,  while  the  other 


s 


1  In  succeeding  species,  when  the  color  of  the  iris  is  not  given,  it  is  understmid  to 
be  dark-hazel  or  black. 


86 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


seems  to  delight  in  the  more  retired  and  wooded  locali- 
ties. 

In  flight,  the  Black-billed  Cuckoo  is  more  swift  than  the 
other ;  in  breeding  habits,  the  same ;  and  its  food  is  similar, 
consisting  principally  of  insects  and  their  larvat^,  small  fruits, 
and  the  eggs  and  young  of  small  birds.     Like  the  other,  the 
Black-billed  Cuckoo  is  very  cowardly,  and  is  quickly  driven 
from  the  neighborhood  of  the  nest  of  almost  any  of  the 
other  birds.     If  a  robin,  or  other  bird  of  equal  size,  discover 
one  of  these,  to  him  pirates,  in  the  vicinity  '^f  his  nest,  he 
immediately  assaults  the  i.itruder,  witli  loud  outcries,  poun- 
cing upon  him,  and  pecking  with  great  ferocity.     Others  of 
his  neighbors,  who  are  near,  join  in  the  attack :  the  Cuckoo, 
in  retreating,  dives  into  the  recesses  of  a  stone  wall,  or  the 
first  secure  retreat  available ;  very  seldom  taking  to  his 
wings,  as  another  bird  would  do.    I  have  known  of  a  ciickoo 
being  driven  into  a  barn  by  a  Blue-bird  (*?.  stalls'),  who  sat 
perching  on  a  fence  outside  for  several  minutes,  keeping  his 
enemy  prisoner ;  and  the  latter,  when  pursued  and  captured 
by  myself,  preferred  being  my  prisoner  to  facing  his  enemy 
outside. 

The  nest  of  the  Black-billed  Cuckoo  is  usually  placed  in 
a  low  tree  or  barberry-bush.  It  is  constructed  of  twigs, 
roots,  and  sometimes  a  few  leaves  and  moss.  I  have  exam- 
ined a  great  number  of  these,  from  different  sections ;  and  I 
have  noticed  that  those  from  northern  localities  were  inva- 
riably lined  with  gray  moss,  called  Spanish  moss,  and  leaves, 
while  others,  from  more  southern  districts,  were  without 
such  linings. 

The  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number :  they  are  of  a  darker 
greenish-blue  than  those  of  the  other  bird,  and  average  a 
little  smaller ;  their  length  varying  from  1  to  1.12  inch,  by 
from  .84  to  .92  inch  in  breadth. 


THE    HAIIIY    WOODPECKER. 


«7 


Famii.t  PICID^.    The  TTooDrECKEUs. 


Suh-Famihj  Picix.k. 

A-'.hough  all  the  wooclpeckcrs  have  a  certain  rospinhlance  to  each  other,  and 
a^ree  more  or  less  in  habits,  there  arc  distinctions  nmon^  them  whicii  serve  readily 
for  division  into  auh-sencra,  genera,  or  even  higher  groups.  Tims,  the  diflfererca 
between  the  Ivorj'-bilied  WoDdpeeker  and  the  common  Flicker,  which  may  be  taken 
as  representing  the  extremes  of  the  scale  in  North-Americar  species,  will  be  palpable 
to  any  observer. 

In  the  woodpeckers  inhabiting  the  United  States  *'.^re  are  three  distinct  gronps, 
which  may  be  tnkcn,  with  some  authors,  as  so  many  sub-families;  or  if,  with  Bona- 
parte, we  unite  all  the  Picidte  with  stiiTened,  acuminate,  and  pointed  tails  into  a  sub- 
family PiciiKB,  they  will  constitute  so  many  separate  sections.  They  may  be  severally 
characterized  as  follows:  — 

PiciN.E  or  Picece.  —  Rill  more  or  less  long;  the  outlines  above  and  below  nearlj 
straight;  the  ends  truncated;  a  prominent  ridge  on  the  side  of  the  mandible,  spring- 
ing from  the  middle  of  the  base  or  a  little  below,  and  running  out  either  on  the 
commissure,  or  extending  parallel  to  and  a  little  above  it,  to  the  end ;  sometimes 
obliterated  or  confluent  with  the  lateral  bev^l  of  the  bill;  nostrils  considerably  over- 
hung by  the  lateral  ridge,  more  or  less  linear,  and  concealed  by  thick  bushy  cufls  of 
feathers  at  the  base  of  the  bill ;  outer  posterior  toe  generally  longer  tlian  the  anterior. 

MEt/ANElii'iN/E  or  CenturecB.  —  Bill  rather  long;  the  outlines,  that  of  the  culmen 
especially,  decidedly  curved.  The  lateral  ridge  much  nearest  the  culmen,  and, 
though  quite  distinct  at  the  base,  disappearing  before  coming  to  the  lower  edge  of 
the  mandible;  not  overhanging  the  nostrils,  which  are  broadly  oval,  rounded  an- 
teriorly, and  not  concealed  by  the  bristly  feathers  at  the  base ;  outer  pair  of  toes 
nearly  equal,  the  anterior  rather  longer. 

CoLAPTiN.E  or  Colaptice.  —  Bill  much  depressed,  and  the  upper  outline  much 
curved  to  the  acutely  pointed  (not  truncate)  tip:  the  commissure  considerably 
cu'ved;  bill  without  any  ridges;  the  nostrils  broadly  oval,  and  much  exposed; 
anterior  outer  toe  longest. 


■3 

8 


PICUS  VILLOSUS.  —  Ltnnmts.  l 
The  Hairy  Woodpecker. 
Picu*  mllosus,  Linnaeus.    Syst.,  I.  175.    Bonnp.  Syn.,  46,  and  others. 

Description. 
"The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  nine  inches  long  and  fifteen  in  extent;  crown 
black;  line  over  and  under  the  eye  white;  the  eye  is  placed  in  a  black  line, 
that  widens  as  it  descends  to  the  back;  hind  head  scarlet,  sometimes  intermixed 
with  black;  nostrils  hid  under  remarkably  thick,  bushy,  recumbent  hairs,  or 
briatles;  under  the  bill  are  certain  long  hairs  thrown  forward  and  upward;  bill 


1  See  p.  84,  vol.  IX.,  Pacific  R.R.  ReporU. 


88 


OUNITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOrJY. 


a  l)ltii>li  nnrnroliir,  Kmivi'd,  wedged  nt  the  end,  strniijlit,  nnd  about  an  ineli  and  a 
([uarter  long;  tniiclies  of  black,  proceeding  from  the  lower  nnindible,  end  in  n  bmad 
blacli  !<tri|)  that  joins  tlio  black  on  tlie  slionlJer;  back  bhick,  divided  by  a  broad, 
lateral  strip  of  while,  the  feathers  composing  which  are  loose  and  unwebbcd,  resem- 
bling hairs, —  whence  its  name;  rump  and  shonldersof  the  wing  black;  wings  black, 
lipped  nnd  spotted  with  white,  tliree  rows  of  spots  being  visible  on  the  secondaries 
and  (ivo  on  tlie  primaries;  greater  wing  coverts  also  spotted  with  white;  tail,  as  in 
the  others,  cuneiform,  consisting  of  ten  strong-shafted  and  pointed  feathers,  the  four 
middle  ones  black,  the  next  partially  white,  the  two  exterior  ones  white,  tinged  at 
the  tip  with  a  brownish  burnt-color;  tail  coverts  black;  whole  lower  side  pure-white; 
legs,  feet,  nnd  claws  light-blue,  the  latter  remarkably  large  nnd  strong;  inside  of  tha 
month  flesli-(olorcd;  tongue  pointed,  beset  witli  barbs,  and  capable  of  being  pro- 
truded more  than  an  inch  nnd  a  half;  the  os  hyoidcs,  in  this  species,  passes  on  each 
side  of  tlie  neck,  ascends  the  skull,  passes  down  towards  the  nostril,  nnd  is  wound 
round  the  bone  of  the  right  eye,  whicli  projects  considerably  more  than  the  left  for 
its  accommodation.    The  great  mass  of  hairs  that  cover  the  nostril  nppenrs  to  be 
designed  as  n  protection  to  tlio  front  of  the  head,  when  the  bird  is  engaged  in  digging 
holes  into  the  wood.     The  membrane  which  encloses  the  brain  in  this,  as  in  nil  the 
other  .species  of  woodpeckers,  is  also  of  extrnordinnry  strength;  no  doubt,  to  prevent 
any  bad  efFects  from  violent  concussion  while  the  bird  is  employed  in  digging  for 
food.    The  female  wants  the  red  on  the  hind  head,  nnd  the  white  below  is  tinged 
with  brown.'sh."  —  Wilson. 


THE  above  description,  as  given  by  Wilson,  is  very  full 
and  complete.     This  Woodpecker  is  a  rather  comuon 
visitor  in  New  England,  in  the  spring,  fall,  and  winter 

months,  and  is,  to 
some  extent,  a  resi- 
dent through  the  year. 
Probably  the  greater 
"number  retire  to  the 
North  in  the  breeding 
season ;  and  those  that 
remain  in  the  south- 
ern districts  of  these 
States  most  usually  seek  the  woods  for  their  summer 
homes,  and  are,  as  a  general  thing,  seldom  met  with 
in  the  thickly  settled  districts.  The  flight  is  a  waver- 
ing, undulating  one,  like  that  of  all  the  woodpeckers; 
consisting  of  a  series  of  short  vibrations  of  the  wings, 
followed  by  a  downward,  soaring  movement,  which  is  suc- 
ceeded by  another  similar  series.     On  alighting,  the  bird 


Skull  and  tongiio  of  Woodpecker. 


•3 


8 


Hairy  VVoodpkcker.  Picas  villosus      Linna'us. 


utrlkcs  its  o 
tion  bctwooii 
one.  It  coin 
by  tho  20tli 
old  trees  in 
ol'ton  as  mil 
hardly  fivo  i 
for  a  breed  ii 
furnishing  a 

Tho  eggs 
less :  they  a 
is  very  sino( 
the  egg  are 
mens  vary  i 
62  to  .68  ii 

The  nest 
so  far  as  m} 
ited  on  a  sn 
to  be  left  bj 

The  food 
and  larvaj 
wood  of  oil 
obtain  by  c 
and  drawin 
barbed  ton{ 
but  never, 
trees,  as  so 


Picas  pubes( 

"  Picas  pub 

Hiog.  II.  (1834 


A  miniature 
white  stripes  oi 
the  upper  some. 


THE   DOWNY   WOODPKfKER. 


sn 


Htrikcs  its  object  witli  l)()fh  foot,  niid  inakos  no  discriuiimi- 
tion  bctwooii  a  horizontal  branch  or  limb  and  a  perpendicular 
one.  It  comnicncos  its  building  operations  quite  early,  often 
hy  tho  20th  of  April.  Tlio  nest  is  made  l)y  excavating  in 
old  trees  in  the  woods,  rarely  in  orchards;  tho  liole  made  is 
often  as  much  as  eighteen  inches  in  dcptli,  in  some  cases 
hardly  fivo  ii'chcs.  A  post  in  a  fence  is  sometimes  taken 
for  a  breeding-place,  tho  hole  in  which  the  rail  is  inserted 
furnishing  a  starting-place  for  tho  cxcavittion  of  the  nest. 

Tho  eggs  aro  usually  five  in  numl)er;  seldom  njore,  often 
less:  they  arc  of  a  beautiful  clear-white  color,  and  tho  shell 
is  very  smooth  and  rather  thin ;  and,  before  tho  contents  of 
the  egg  are  removed,  they  impart  a  rosy  tint  to  it.  Sp(!ci- 
mcns  vary  in  size  from  .77  to  .84  inch  in  length,  by  from 
62  to  .68  inch  in  breiidth. 

The  nest  is  never  lined  with  leaves  or  other  soft  materials, 
BO  far  as  my  observation  has  been ;  but  tho  eggs  aro  depos- 
ited on  a  small  pile  of  chips  of  tho  rotten  wood,  which  seem 
to  be  left  by  the  bird  designedly  for  this  purpose. 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  principally  of  tho  eggs 
and  larvae  of  injurious  insects  that  are  burrowing  in  the 
wood  of  our  fruit  and  forest  trees :  these  he  is  enabled  to 
obtain  by  chiselling  out  a  small  hole  with  his  powerful  bill, 
and  drawing  them  from  their  lurking-places  with  his  long 
barbed  tongue.  He  also  eats  some  small  fruits  and  berries, 
but  never,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  tho  buds  or  blossoms  of 
trees,  as  some  persons  assert. 


1 


s 


PICUS  PUBESCENS.  —  Linncuvs. 

The  Downy  Woodpecker. 

Picut  pubescent,  Linnicus.    Syst.  Nut.,  I.  (1786)  15.    Vieill.  Ois.  Am.  (1807)  65. 
"  Picut  pubescent,"  Linnaeus,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn.  I.  (1808)  153.     Aud.  Orn. 
Biog.  II.  (1884). 

Description. 

A  miniature  of  P.  viHosus.  Above  black,  with  a  white  band  down  the  back;  two 
white  stripes  on  the  side  of  the  head;  the  lower  of  opposite  sides  always  separated, 
the  upper  sometimes  confluent  on  the  nape ;  two  stripes  of  black  on  the  side  of  th* 


90 


OHNITIIOI.O(iV    ANn   OOLOr.Y. 


hi'fld,  ttip  liiwcr  iKit  riimiliiK  inln  llir  furtlirad;  liciU'iUli  white;  win^' niiirli  npottcd 
Willi  wliilc;  III!'  lar(,'iT  I'oviTtH  Willi  two  "icrli'ii  chcIi  ;  t«rlinri('»  <ir  iiiiiiT  nfciiiiilnrjri 
all  liiiiicli'd  Willi  wliili';  two  oiilir  tail  CiiiIIiith  wliili',  willi  two  liainls  ul'  l)laik  at  tli« 
iii'l,  lliiicl  wliili'  at  tipHMil  cxtiTiiMlly.  Male,  willi  ml  tcriiiliiatinn  llu'  wlilti!  li'atjicru 
(III  111!'  iiii|H';  U%*  mill  I'l'i't  liliiHli-Krwiii  I'luwa  liKlit-bluo  tippt'd  with  blackj  irin 
(lark-liu/.i'l. 

LcnKtli,  ulHiiit  .<ix  niirl  a  (iimrfor  iiiilu'H;  wliiff,  throe  nnd  thrup-qimrtora. 


'J'lii.H  little  W()(Ml[»(>ckor — tlio  simillost  wo  Imvo  —  is  al)nii- 
Uiiiitly  (listiil»ut(;<l  tlirougliout  Now  England,  and  is  a  resi- 
dent tlii'oiiglioiit  the  year.  Tho  exceedingly  interesting 
description  of  its  habits,  by  Wilson,  is  so  fnll  that  I  will  give 
it  entire.     He  says:  — 

"  About  tho  mitldle  of  May,  the  mido  and  female' look  out  for  a 
Rintablo  plaoo  for  tlio  reception  of  their  o<^gH  and  yoiuig.  An  apple, 
pear,  or  cherry  tree  —  often  in  tho  near  neigld)orhood  of  the  farm- 
house—  is  generally  fixed  upon  for  tins  purpose.  Tho  tree  is  mi- 
initcly  reconnoitred  for  several  days  previous  to  the  operation  ;  and 
the  work  is  first  begun  by  the  male,  who  cuts  out  a  hole  in  the  solid 
wood  as  circular  as  •'"  described  with  a  pair  of  compasses.  He  is 
occasionally  relieved  by  the  female,  both  parties  working  with  the 
most  indefatigable  diligence.  The  direction  of  the  hole,  if  made  in 
the  body  of  the  tree,  is  generally  downwards,  by  an  angle  of  thirty 
or  forty  degrees,  for  tho  distance  of  six  or  eight  inches,  and  then 
straight  down  for  ten  or  twelve  more:  within,  roomy,  capacious, 
and  as  smooth  as  if  polished  by  the  cabinet-maker;  but  the  entrance 
is  judiciously  left  just  so  large  as  to  admit  the  bodies  of  the  owners. 
Diu'ing  this  labor,  they  regularly  carry  out  the  chips,  often  strewing 
them  at  a  distance,  to  prevent  suspicion.  This  operation  sometimes 
occupies  the  chief  part  of  a  week.  Before  she  begins  to  lay,  the 
female  often  visits  the  place,  passes  out  and  in,  examines  every 
part  —  both  of  the  exterior  and  interior  —  with  great  attention 
(as  every  prudent  tenant  of  a  new  house  ought  to  do),  and  at 
lengtii  takes  complete  possession.  The  eggs  are  generally  six,  — 
pure-white,  and  laid  on  the  smooth  bottom  of  the  cavity.  The 
male  occasionally  supplies  the  female  with  food  while  she  is  sitting ; 
ind,  about  the  last  week  in  Jinie,  the  young  are  perceived  making 
their  way  up  the  tree,  climbing  with  considerable  dexterity.  All 
this  goes  on  with  great  regularity  where  no  interruption  is  met 


THE    DOWNY    WOODPFCKKft. 


01 


nitli  ;  lint  tlio  llmiso  Wren,  wlio  iiNo  hiiilils  in  tlic  liollow  of  a 
tree,  but  who  is  mntlicr  ftiniiNlicd  with  tlio  noccsHnry  tools  nor 
strength  for  excavntiiij;  such  iin  iipartnuMit  fur  hinisflf.  iillows  tli« 
woodpockors  to  go  on  till  lie  tliinkn  it  will  luiswcr  his  purpose, 
thou  lUtiKskH  thi'in  with  violonre,  and  generally  surcccds  in  driving 
them  off.  I  siiw,  somo  weeks  ngo,  a  striking  example  of  this, 
where  the  Woodpeckers  wo  nre  now  descriliing,  after  coniinencing 
in  11  cherry-tree,  within  a  few  yards  of  tho  houst;,  and  having  made 
consideralde  progress,  were  turned  out  by  the  WrtMi.  Tlu!  former 
began  again  on  a  pear-tree  in  tho  garden,  fifteen  or  twenty  yards 
otr,  whence,  after  digging  out  a  most  complete  apartment,  and  one 
egg  being  laid,  they  were  once  more  assaulted  by  tho  same  imper- 
titient  intruder,  and  finally  forced  to  abandon  tho  place. 

"  The  principal  characteristics  of  this  little  bird  are  diligence, 
familiarity,  perseverance,  and  a  strength  and  energy  in  tho  bond 
and  muscles  of  the  nock  which  are  truly  asttmishing.  Mounted  on 
tlie  infected  branch  of  an  oM  apple-tree,  where  insects  have  lodged 
their  corroding  and  destructive  brood  in  crevices  between  the  bark 
and  wood,  he  labors  sometimes  for  half  an  hour  incessantly  at  the 
same  spot,  before  he  has  succeeded  in  dislodging  and  destroying 
them.  At  these  times,  you  may  walk  up  pretty  close  to  the  tree, 
and  even  stand  immediately  below  it,  within  five  or  six  feet  of  the 
bird,  without  in  the  least  embarrassing  him.  Tho  strokes  of  his 
bill  are  distinctly  heard  several  hundred  yards  off;  and  I  have 
known  him  to  be  at  work  for  two  hours  together  on  the  same  tree. 
Buffon  calls  ;his  '  incessant  toil  and  slavery ; '  their  attitude,  '  a 
painful  posture ; '  and  their  life,  '  a  dull  and  insipid  existence,'  — 
expressions  improper  because  untrue,  and  absurd  because  con- 
tradictory. The  posture  is  that  for  which  the  whole  organization 
is  particularly  adapted ;  and  though  to  a  Wren  or  a  Humming- 
bird the  labor  would  be  both  toil  and  slavery,  yet  to  him  it  is,  I 
am  convinced,  as  pleasant  and  as  amusing  as  the  sports  of  the 
chase  to  the  hunter,  or  the  sucking  of  flowers  to  the  Humming- 
bird. The  eagerness  with  which  he  traverses  the  upper  and  lower 
sides  of  the  branches,  the  cheerfulness  of  his  cry,  and  the  liveli- 
ness of  his  motions  while  digging  into  the  tree  and  dislodging  th« 
vermin,  justify  this  belief.  lie  has  a  single  note,  or  chink,  which, 
like  the  former  species,  he  frequently  repeats ;  and  when  he  flies 


::3 

8 


92 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


off,  or  aliglits  on  another  tree,  lie  ntters  a  rather  shriller  cry,  com- 
posed of  nearly  tlie  same  kind  of  note,  quickly  reiterated.  In  ftill 
and  winter,  he  associates  with  the  Titmouse,  Creeper,  «fec.,  both  in 
their  wood  and  orchard  excursions,  and  usually  leads  tho  van.  Of 
all  our  Woodpeckers,  none  rid  the  apple-trees  of  so  many  vermin 
as  this,  diiraii'g  off  the  moss  which  the  negligence  of  the  proprie- 
tor had  suffered  to  accumulate,  and  probing  every  c-evice.  In 
fact,  the  orchard  is  his  favorite  resort  in  all  seasons ;  and  his  indus- 
try is  unequalled  and  almost  incessant,  which  is  more  than  can  be 
said  of  any  other  sjjccii's  we  have.  In  fall,  he  is  particularly  fond 
of  boring  the  apple-trees  for  insects,  digging  a  circular  hole  through 
tiie  bark,  just  sufficient  to  admit  h's  bill ;  after  that,  a  second, 
third.  &c.,  in  pretty  regular  horizontal  circles  round  the  body  of 
the  tree :  these  parallel  circles  of  holes  are  often  not  more  than  an 
inch  or  an  inch  and  a  half  apart,  and  sometimes  so  close  together 
that  I  have  covered  eight  or  ten  of  them  at  once  with  a  dollar. 
From  nearly  the  surface  of  the  ground  up  to  the  first  fork,  and 
sometimes  far  beyond  it,  the  whole  bark  of  many  apple-trees  is 
perforated  in  this  maimer,  so  as  to  appear  as  if  made  by  successive 
.lischarges  of  buck-shot;  and  our  little  Woodpecker  —  the  subject 
af  the  present  account  —  is  the  principal  perpetrator  of  this  sup- 
posed mischief:  I  say  supposed,  for,  so  fiir  from  these  perforations 
of  the  bark  being  ruinous,  they  are  not  only  harmless,  but,  I  have 
good  reason  to  believe,  really  beneficial  to  the  health  and  fertility 
of  the  tree.  I  leave  it  to  the  philosophical  botanist  to  account  for 
this ;  but  the  fact  I  am  confident  of.  In  more  than  fifty  orchards 
which  I  have  myself  carefully  examined,  those  trees  which  were 
marked  by  the  AVoodpecker  (for  some  trees  they  never  touch,  per- 
haps because  not  penetrated  by  insects)  were  uniformly  the  most 
thriving,  and  seemingly  the  most  productive.  Many  of  these  were 
upwards  of  sixty  years  old,  their  trunks  completely  covered  with 
holes,  while  the  branches  were  broad,  luxuriant,  and  loaded  with 
fruit.  Of  decayed  trees,  more  than  three-fourths  were  untouched 
l)y  the  Woodpecker.  Several  intelligent  farmers,  with  whom  I 
have  conversed,  candidly  acknowledge  the  truth  of  these  observa- 
tions, and  with  justice  look  upon  these  birds  as  beneficial :  but  the 
roost  common  opinion  is,  that  they  bore  the  tree  to  suck  the  sap, 
and  so  destroy  its  vegetation  :  though  pine  and  other  resinous  trees, 


THE   DOWNY   WOODPKCKER. 


93 


on  the  juices  of  whicli  it  is  not  pretended  they  feed,  are  often 
found  equally  perforated.  Were  the  sap  of  the  tree  their  object, 
the  saccharine  juice  of  the  .birch,  the  sugar-maple,  and  several 
others,  would  be  much  more  inviting  (because  more  sweet  and 
nourishing)  than  that  of  either  the  pear  or  apple  tree  ;  but  I  have 
not  observed  one  mark  on  the  former  for  ten  thousand  that  may  be 
seen  on  the  latter.  Besides,  the  early  part  of  spring  is  the  season 
when  the  sap  flows  most  abundantly ;  whereas,  it  is  only  during 
the  months  of  September,  October,  and  November,  that  Wood- 
peckers are  seen  so  indefatigably  engaged  in  orchards,  probing 
every  crack  and  crevice,  boring  through  the  bark  —  and,  what  is 
worth  remarking,  chiefly  on  the  south  and  south-west  sides  of  the 
tree  —  for  the  eggs  and  larvae  deposited  there  by  the  countless 
s.varms  of  summer  insects.  These,  if  suffered  to  remain,  wouhl 
prey  upon  the  very  vitals  —  if  I  may  so  express  it  —  of  the  tree, 
and  in  the  succeeding  summer  give  birth  to  myriads  more  of  their 
race,  equally  destructive. 

"  Here,  then,  is  a  whole  species,  I  may  say  genus,  of  birds, 
which  Providence  seems  to  have  formed  for  the  protection  of  our 
fruit  and  forest  trees  from  the  ravages  of  vermin,  which  every  day 
destroy  millions  of  those  noxious  insects  that  would  otherwise  blast 
the  hopes  of  the  husbanuuan;  they  even  promote  the  fertility 
of  the  tree,  and,  in  return,  are  proscribed  by  those  who  ought  to 
have  been  their  protectors,  and  incitements  and  rewards  held  out 
for  their  destruction !  Let  us  examine  better  into  the  operations 
of  nature,  and  many  of  our  mistaken  opinions  and  groundless 
prejudices  will  be  abandoned  for  more  just,  enlarged,  and  humane 
modes  of  thinking." 

The  nest  and  eggs  are  of  the  same  description  as  the 
Hairy  Woodpecker's,  except  with  regard  to  size ;  the  eggs 
of  the  present  species  being  considerably  sinaUer  on  the 
average,  measuring  from  .73  to  .77  inch  in  length,  by 
from  .60  to  .58  inch  in  breadth.  I  think  that  the  nests  of 
this  species,  as  of  some  others,  are  used  for  successive 
seasons,  as  I  have  found  apparently  old  uests  occicpied  by 
breeding  birds.  I  ani  not  aware  that  the  Hairy  Wood- 
pecker uses  tha  same  nest  several  seasons.     The  Downy 


■a 


K 


1)4 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


Woodpecker  sometimes  roars  two  broods  in  the  southern 
portioii  of  New  England;  usually,  but  one. 


PICOIDKS,  Lacepede. 

Picoides,  Lacki-kde,  Mem.  Inst.  (1709), 

Bill  about  as  loii^  as  the  head,  vury  much  depressed  at  tLe  base ;  tlie  outliiieA 
uoarly  straight ;  the  lateral  ridge  at  its  b.ise  much  nearer  the  commissure  than  ths 
ruliiien,  so  as  to  bring  the  lar^o  rather  linear  nostrils  close  to  the  edge  of  the  com- 
missure; tlie  gonys  very  long,  e(|ual  to  the  distance  Crom  the  nostrils  to  the  tip  of  the 
bill;  feet  with  only  three  toes;  the  outer  lateral  a  little  longer  than  the  inner,  but 
slightly  exceeded  by  the  hind  toe,  which  is  about  equal  to  the  tarsus;  wings  very 
long,  reaching  beyond  the  middle  of  the  tail;  fourth  and  fifth  quills  longest;  color 
black,  with  a  bruad  |)atcli  of  yellow  on  the  crown;  transversely  banded  on  the  sides j 
quills  with  round  spots. 

PICOIDES   AECTICUS.— Graj/. 
The  Black-backed,  Thrae-toed  Woodpecker. 

Pints  (Apternus)  arclicus.    Sw.  F.  15or.  Am.,  U.  (1831)  313. 
Plcus  arcticus.     Aud.  Syn.  (1839)  182.     Jb.,  Birds  Amer.,  IV.  (1842)  266.     Nut- 
tall,  Man.,  1.  (23  ed.  1840)  6U1. 

Picu's  Iridactylus,  Bonaparte.     Am.  Om.,  II.  (1828)  14.     Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II. 

(1834). 

Dkscription. 

Above  entirely  uniform  glossy  bluish-black ;  a  square  patch  on  the  middle  of  the 
crown  saflron-yellow,  and  a  few  spots  on  the  outer  edges  of  both  webs  of  the  primary 
and  secondary  quills ;  beneath  white,  on  the  sides  of  the  breast  longitudinally  striped, 
and  on  the  sides  of  the  belly  and  on  the  flanks  and  tibial  region  banded  transversely 
with  black;  a  narrow  concealed  white  line  from  the  eye  a  short  distance  backwards, 
and  a  white  stripe  from  the  extreme  forehead  (meeting  anteriorly)  under  the  eye, 
and  down  the  sides  of  the  neck;  bristly  feathers  of  the  base  of  the  bill  brown;  cx- 
lioseil  portion  of  the  two  outer  tail  feathers  (first  and  second)  white;  bill  bluish-black, 
the  lower  mandible  grayish-blue;  iris  bluish-black.  Female,  without  yellow  on  the 
head. 

Length,  about  nine  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  five;  tail,  three  eighty-five  onc- 
Imndredths. 

This  species  is  rare  in  the  three  southern  New-England 
States,  where  it  is  found  only  as  a  winter  visitor.  In  the 
others,  it  is  not  very  abundant,  and  is  only  resident,  in 
the  most  northern  sections,  in  the  neighborhood  of,  or  in,  the 
eleep  forests  and  uninhabited  districts,  through  the  year. 

Its  habits  arc  similar  to  those  of  the  other  woodpeckers. 
I  have  had  abundant  opportunities  of  noticing  them,  and 
have  discovered  nothing  peculiar  in  them,  or  worthy  of  re- 


THE  BANDED   THREE-TOED   WOOUPECKEU. 


9o 


mark.  Its  breeding  liabits  ar(i  not  well  known  ;  but  it 
probably  breeds  in  all  tlie  large  forests  of  Northern  Maine, 
New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont. 

I  was  so  fortunate  as  to  find  two  nests  in  the  month  of 
June,  1864,  in  the  valley  of  the  Magalloway  River,  about 
forty  miles  north  of  Lake  Umbagog,  Me.  Ihe  holes  were 
both  excavated  in  hemlock  stumps,  about  ten  feet  from  the 
ground ;  they  were  not  over  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter, 
and  were  about  ten  inches  in  uepth :  the  bottom  of  the 
hole  formed  the  nest,  which,  as  with  the  other  species,  was 
nothing  but  a  few  chips  and  bits  of  wood.  The  hrst  nest, 
found  on  the  15th  of  June,  had  three  young  birds,  appar- 
ently about  a  week  old.  The  second  nest  had  three  eggs : 
these  were  of  a  beautiful  clear-white  color,  and  the  shells 
remarkably  smooth  to  the  touch.  Their  dimensions  varied 
only  from  .83  to  .85  inch  in  length,  by  .75  to  .77  inch  in 
breadth. 

PICOIDES  HISSDTUS.— G/flij/. 

The  Banded  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

Pictts  hirmtus,  Vieillot.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  H.  (1807)  68.  And  Orn.  IJiog.,  V.  1ft, 
39, 184.     Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  IV.  (1842),  pi.  269.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.  1840)  692. 

Deschhtiox. 

Black  above;  the  back  with  transverse  bands  of  white  to  the  rump;  a  white  line 
I'rom  behind  the  eye,  widening  on  the  nape,  and  a  broader  one  under  the  eye  troni 
the  loral  region,  but  nut  extending  on  the  forehead;  occiput  and  sides  of  the  head 
uniform  black;  quills  spotted  on  both  webs  with  white;  under  parts  white;  the  sides 
banded  transversely  with  black;  top  of  tliu  head  .'tpotted  with  white;  the  crown  of 
the  male  with  a  yellow  patch;  bill  bluish-black;  iris  dark -hazel. 

Length,  about  nine  inches;  wing,  tour  forty-live  one-hundredths;  tail,  three 
thirtj-five  one-hundredths. 

This  bird  is  rarely  found  in  New  England,  except  in  the 
midst  of  severe  winters,  and  then  it  seldom  penetrates  so 
far  south  as  Massachusetts.  I  have  known  of  but  two  or 
three  specimens  being  obtained  in  this  State,  and  never 
heard  of  any  being  shot  in  the  others  south  of  it.  Having 
had  no  opportunities  for  observing  its  habits,  1  can  add 
nothing  to  our  knowledge  of  this  species. 


id 

in 
3a 


s 


i)6 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Sl'HYKAPICUS,  Baird. 

Pilumnus,  Bonaparte.  Consp.  Zygod.  Ateneo  Itnliano,  May,  1854.  {P.  (Ay. 
rvidius.) 

Bill  03  in  /'ii::ij,  but  the  lateral  ridge,  whicii  is  very  prominent,  running  out  dis- 
liiR'tly  to  tt?  c.iiim^.sure  at  about  its  middle,  beyond  which  the  bill  is  rounded 
witlidut  any  an;;les  at  all;  the  culmcn  and  gonys  are  very  nearly  straight,  but 
>li«htly  cunve.x,  the  bill  tapering  rapidly  to  a  point;  the  lateral  outline  concave  to 
wry  near  the  slightly  bevelled  tip;  outer  i)air  of  toes  longest;  the  hinder  exterior 
rather  limgest;  the  inner  pcisterior  toe  very  short,  less  than  the  inner  «nterior  with- 
out its  claw;  wings  long  and  pointed,  the  fourth  longest;  tail  feathers  very  broad, 
oUruptly  acuminate,  with  a  very  long  linear  poinc. 


SPHYSAPICUS  VARIUS.— .BaW. 

The  Tellow-bellied  Woodpecker. 

Pkiif  viiniis,  Linnaius.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1760)  15  8.  Wilson,  Am.  Oru.,  L  (1808) 
147.    Aud.  Orn.  liiug.,  U.  (1834)  519. 

Dksciui'tio.n. 

Fourth  quill  longest;  third  a  little  shorter;  fourth  considerably  shorter;  general 
color  above  black,  much  variegated  with  white;  feathers  of  the  back  and  rump 
brownish-white,  spotted  w'th  black;  crown  scarlet,  bordered  by  black  on  the  sides 
iif  the  head  and  nape;  a  streak  from  above  the  eye,  and  another  from  the  bristles  of 
the  bill,  passing  below  the  eye  and  into  the  yellowish  of  the  belly,  .'(nd  a  stripe  along 
the  edges  of  the  wing  coverts  white;  a  triangular  broad  patch  of  scarlet  on  the  chin, 
bordered  on  each  side  by  black  stripes  from  the  lower  mandible,  whicli  meet  behind, 
and  extend  into  a  large  quadrate  spot  on  the  breast;  rest  of  under  parts  yellowish- 
wliUc,  streaked  on  the  sides  with  black ;  irner  web  of  inner  tail-feather  white,  spotted 
witli  black;  outer  feathers  black,  edged  and  spotted  with  white.  Female,  with  the 
red  of  the  throat  replaced  by  white.  Young  male,  without  black  on  the  breast, 
or  red  on  the  top  of  the  head;   iris  dark-hazel. 

Length,  eight  and  a  quarter  inches;  wing,  about  four  and  three-quarters;  tail, 
three  thirty  one-hundredths. 

This  bird  is  veiy  irregularly  distributed  in  New  England 
as  a  summer  visitor.  Verrill,  in  his  Catalogue,  before  re- 
ferred to,  says  that  it  is  a  common  summer  visitor,  and 
breeds  at  Norway,  Me.  J.  A.  Allen  says,  that  near  Spi'ing- 
fiold  "  it  is  not  common,  and  is  only  seen  in  fall  and  spring, 
when  migrating.  I  have  never  seen  this  species  here  in 
summer,  and  do  not  think  it  breeds  here ;  though  I  am 
informed  by  W.  H.  Niles  that '  they  breed  plentifully  on  the 
hills  in  Western  Massachusetts,  twenty  or  thirty  miles  west 
of  Springfield.' " 


THE   YELLOW-BELLIED    WOOnrECKEIl. 


91 


So  far  as  my  own  obsevvatiou  lias  been,  it  is  not  founcl  at 
:ill  abundant  in  any  part  of  those  States ;  and  I  think,  that, 
on  the  seaboard,  it  is  rare. 

It  arrives  from  the  South,  from  about  tlie  10th  to  the  20th 
of  April,  and  soon  commences  pairing.  I  have  never  noticed 
any  great  peculiarity  in  its  habits.  It  seems  to  prefer  the 
woods  to  the  more  open  districts,  and  vci;  seldom  indeed 
makes  its  appearance,  in  the  breeding  season,  in  the  orchards 
and  nurseries,  where,  as  it  is  often  said  by  persons  wlio  are 
prejudiced,  it  does  considerable  damage  in  boring  into  apple- 
trees  and  sucking  the  sap ;  hence  it  is  called  the  "  Sap- 
sucker."  I  am  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with  its  habits,  in 
the  Western  States,  to  say  positively  that  it  does  not  eat 
some  of  the  inner  bark  of  trees,  when  in  j)ursuit  of  its 
favorite  insect-food ;  but  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  tho 
denunciations  of  it,  so  often  seen  in  the  Western  papers, 
arc  exaggerated. 

Dr.  Bryant,  who  has  paid  some  attention  to  the  examina- 
tion of  the  food  of  this  bird,  gives,  in  the  "  Proceedings  of 
the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,"  vol.  X.  91,  the  fol- 
lowing remarks :  — 

"  It  has  long  been  known  that  some  of  our  smaller  woodpeckers 
pick  out  portions  of  the  sound  bark  of  trees,  particularly  of  apple- 
trees,  where  there  are  no  larvaj,  and  apparently  no  inducement  for 
them  to  do  so.  Wliat  their  object  is  has  never  been  satisfactorily 
established.  In  Massachusetts,  I  am  not  aware  that  these  holes 
are  ever  sufficiently  large  or  numerous  to  cause  any  material  injury 
to  the  apple-trees :  they  are  generally  seen  in  circles  round  tlie 
limbs  or  trunks  of  small  irregularly  rounded  holes,  and  in  this 
vicinity  are  made  almost  exclusively  by  the  Downy  Woodpecker 
(P.  pubescens),  aided  occasionally  by  the  Hairy  Woodpecker  (P. 
villosus).  In  certain  parts  of  the  West,  however,  it  is  said  that 
great  damage  is  done  to  orchards  by  the  Yellow-bellied  Wood- 
pecker (S.  vorius)  ;  and  Dr.  Hoy,  of  Racine,  Wis.,  has  advanced 
the  theory  that  the  object  of  the  bird  in  so  doing  is  to  obtain  the 
inner  bark  for  food.  A  number  of  specimens  of  this  bird,  for 
ward^id  by  Dr.  Hoy  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  have  been 

7 


:3 


J  1:1 


9b 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


placed  in  my  hands  hy  Professor  T^aird  for  exaniiimtion :  as  tlio 
specimens  are  alcoholic,  the  soft  parts  arc,  as  is  always  the  case, 
too  much  distorted  to  he  avaiiabh^  for  correct  coni[)arisoiis ;  the 
gizzard,  however,  seems  smaller,  and  the  proventriculus  larger,  than 
in  other  species  of  this  family  with  which  I  have  compared  them. 
The  contents  of  the  stomach  are  berries,  small  coleoptera,  larva;  of 
boring  beetles,  ants,  and  fragments  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  apple- 
tree." 

After  giving  minute  analyses  of  the  characteristics  of  the 
tongues  and  portions  of  the  skulls  of  the  different  small 
woodpeckers,  and  comparing  them  with  the  Yellow-bellied 
Woodpecker's,  showing  how  the  latter  differ  from  the  others, 
he  says :  — 

"  The  general  sliape  of  the  whole  tongue  is  not  much  unlike  that 
of  the  Robin ;  the  ciliated  edges  show  an  analogy  to  the  Meliphn 
(jidfe,  and  indicate  that  the  sap  of  the  trees  pecked  by  them  may 
form  a  portion  of  their  food.  In  the  stomachs  of  the  six  individuals 
examined  by  me,  fragments  of  the  inner  bark  were  found  in  all,  so 
that  it  can  hardly  be  presumed  to  have  been  accidentally  introduced. 
It  is  evident,  from  the  shape  of  the  tongue,  that  it  is  not  used  as  a 
dart,  in  the  manner  of  the  true  Woodpecker,  to  draw  out  insects 
from  their  lurking-places,  but  that  these  are  seized  by  the  bill,  as  in 
other  insectivorous  birds.  Insects,  however,  probably  form  their 
chief  diet,  as  all  the  stomachs  examined  also  contained  insects,  the 
quantity  of  which  was  greater  than  that  of  the  fragments  of  bark: 
in  one  bii'd,  there  were  two  larvie  of  a  boring  beetle,  so  large  that 
there  was  not  room  for  both  in  the  stomach  at  once,  and  one  re- 
mained in  the  lower  part  of  the  oesophagus.  If  these  were,  as  is 
probable,  the  larvre  of  the  Saperda,  they  would  do  more  damage 
than  twenty  woodpeckers ;  and  I  sincerely  hope  that  these  birds  are 
not  to  be  exterminated,  unless  it  is  clearly  demonstrated  that  the 
injury  caused  by  the  destructioii  of  the  bark  is  not  more  than  com- 
pensated by  their  destruction  of  noxious  insects." 


About  the  1st  of  May,  the  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker 
commences  excavating  its  hole,  which  is  usually  iu  a  de- 
cayed tree  in  the  woods,  but  occasionally  in  a  sound  tree. 


.sr^ 


THE   PILEATED  WOODPECKER. 


09 


This  excavation  is  often  eighteen  or  twenty  inches  deep.  It 
is  not  lined  with  any  soft  material,  and  the  eggs  arc  depos- 
ited on  chips  of  the  wood  left  in  the  bottom.  These  are 
usually  five  in  number ;  they  are  of  a  pure-white  color,  and 
small  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  measuring  from  .82  to  .86  inch 
in  length,  by  from  ,74  to  ,77  inch  in  brcadtli. 


HYLATOMUS,  Baird. 

Dryotomus,  MAi,nBRBK,  Mem.  Ac.  Metz.  (1849)  822.    (Not  of  Swainson,  1H31.) 
Dryopicus,  Poxap.    Consp.  Zygod.  in  Aten.  Ital.  (May,  1854).  (Not  of  Malherbe.) 

Bill  a  little  Innger  than  the  head;  considerably  depressed,  or  broader  than  high 
at  the  base;  shaped  much  as  in  Cam/iephilus,  except  shorter,  and  without  the  bristly 
feathers  directed  forwards  at  the  base  of  the  lower  jnw;  gonya  almiit  half  the  length 
of  tho  commissure;  tarsus  shorter  than  any  toe  except  the  inner  posterior;  outer 
posterior  toe  shorter  than  the  outer  anterior,  and  a  little  'onger  than  the  inner 
anterior;  inner  posterior  verj*  short,  not  half  the  outer  anterior,  about  half  the  inner 
anterior  one. 

Tail  long,  graduated,  the  longer  feathers  much  incurved  at  the  tip;  wing  longer 
than  the  tail,  reaching  to  the  middle  of  the  exposed  surface  of  tail,  considerably 
graduated,  though  pointed,  the  fourth  and  fifth  quills  longest. 

Color  uniform  black,  with  white  pauhes  on  the  side  of  the  head;  head  rrith 
Dointed  crest. 

HYLATOMUS  PILEATUS.  —  Bnirrr. 
The  Pileatod  Woodpecker;  Log  Cock. 

Picuf  pileatm,'lAnnsp.v!>.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (ITGfi)  173.  Vioill.  Ois.  .\m.  Sept.,  IT. 
(1807)  58.     Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  IV.  (1811)  27.     And.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  74. 

DKSCmPTION. 

Eourth  and  fifth  quills  (^qual  and  longest,  third  intermediate  between  the  sixth 
and  seventh;  bill  blue-black;  general  color  of  body,  wings,  and  tail,  dull  greenish- 
black;  a  narrow  white  streak  from  just  above  the  eye  to  the  occiput,  a  wider  one 
from  the  nostril  feathers  (inclusive)  under  the  eye  and  along  tho  side  of  the  head  and 
neck ;  side  of  the  breast  (concealed  by  the  wing),  axillaries,  and  under  wing  coverts, 
»Tid  concenled  bases  of  all  the  quills,  with  chin  and  beneath  the  head,  white,  tinged 
witli  sulphur-yellow;  entire  crown,  from  the  base  of  the  bill  to  a  well-developed 
occipital  crest,  as  also  a  patch  on  the  ramus  of  the  lower  jaw,  scarlet-red;  a  few 
white  crescents  on  the  sides  of  the  body  and  on  the  abdomen;  iris  very  dark  hazel. 

Female  without  the  red  on  the  cheek,  and  the  anterior  half  of  that  on  the  top 
)f  the  head  replaced  by  black. 

Length,  about  eighteen  inches;  wing,  nine  and  a  half  inches. 

Tliis  species  is  a  resident  in  the  northern  districts  of 
New  England  throughout  the  year.    It  has  been  known 


i3 


1;^ 


J  1.1 

S 


100 


OUNITHOLOGir   AND   OOLOGY. 


to  breed  in  llassadiusctts  ;  but,  as  a  gonoral  thing,  it  ia  not 
found  south  of  the  northern  border  of  this  State,  Verrill, 
in  liis  Catah)guo  of  Maine  birds,  before  referred  to,  says 
"  it  is  a  common  resident,  and  breeds  :  "  he  also  says  it  is 
"  most  common  in  winter." 

Tlie  great  size  and  strength  of  this  bird  enable  it  to 
pierce  into  and  tear  apart  the  decaying  trees  in  which  its 
food  is  l)iirrowing,  with  wonderful  facility  and  ease.     1  have 
at  times,  in  ])assing  tln-ough  the  forest,  found  huge  trees 
tliat  liad  died  and  fallen  to  the  ground,  with  their  bark 
stripped  off,  and  large  chips  torn  out,  as  if  some  animal  had 
been  at  work  on  them ;  and  I  always  supjioscd  that  a  bear 
had  l)ecn  amusing  himself,  as  those  aninuds  sometimes  do, 
in  this  employment.     One  day  I  discovered  the  author  of 
the  demolition,  and  it  i)roved  to  be  the  Pileated  Woodpecker. 
WJiile  seated  in  the  woods  near  the  settlemerit  known  as 
Wilson's  Mills  in  Maine,  I  heard  a  large  animal,  as  I  sup- 
posed, rooting  and  tearing  into  a  dead  tree  a  few  rods  off.     I 
crept  up  near  the  sound,  hoping  to  get  a  shot  at  a  bear,  when 
I  discovered  this  bird,  which  looked  very  much  like  a  black 
hen,  busily  at  work.     He  was  searching  for  the  borers  and 
large  Idack  ants  that  hide  beneath  the  bark ;  and  so  earnestly 
was  he  employed,  that  he  permitted  mo  to  approach  very 
near  him.     He  would  force  his  powerful  bill,  by  repeated 
strokes,  into  the  bark,  in  holes  in  a  direct  line  with  the 
grain,  until  he  had  marked  out  a  patch,  perhaps  six  or  eight 
Miches  square,  and  then,  striking  into  it  diagonally,  tear  it 
off,  thus  exposing  the  living  vermin  beneath,  which  he  lost 
no  time  in  securing.     After  clearing  that  spot,  he  moved  to 
another,  and  repeated  the  same  operation,  until,  by  a  sud- 
den movement,  I  startled  him,  when  he  flew  off,  uttering 
a  rattling  cackle  similar  to  that  of  a  garrulous  hen.     His 
flight  was  similar   to   that  of  the  other  woodpeckers  de- 
scribed in  another  place  in  this  volume.     In  addition  to 
insects,  this  Woodpecker  eats  acorns,  beech-nuts,  berries, 
and  Indian  corn,  but  is  not  at  all  troublesome  to  farmers; 


TUE   PILEATED   WOODPECKER. 


101 


and  tlio  little  that  it  pilfers  is  much  more  than  rojtaid  hy 
the  inuneuse  numbers  of  injurious  larvoe  that  it  destroys. 

Wilson,  in  a  very  interesting  account  of  the  general 
habits  of  this  bird,  says  :  — 

"  Almost  every  trunk  in  tlii'  forest  where  ho  resides  hears  tho 
marks  of  his  chisel.  Whertiver  lie  jiereeives  a  tree  lieginiiiiig  to 
decay,  he  examines  it  round  and  round  with  great  skill  and  dex- 
terity, strips  off'  tlie  bark  in  sheets  of  five  or  six  feet  in  length,  to 
get  at  the  hidden  cause  of  the  disease,  and  labors  with  a  gayety  and 
activity  really  surprising.  lie  is  sometimes  observed  among  the 
iiills  of  ladian  corn,  and  it  is  said  by  some  that  he  frequently  feeds 
on  it.  Complaints  of  this  kind  are,  however,  not  general ;  many 
farmers  doubting  the  fact,  and  conceiving  that  at  these  times  he  is 
in  search  of  insects  which  lie  concealed  in  tiie  husk.  I  will  Tiot  bo 
positive  that  they  never  occasionally  taste  maize,  yet  I  have  opened 
and  examined  great  numbers  of  these  birds,  killed  in  various  jjarts 
nf  the  United  States,  from  Lake  Ontario  to  the  Alatamaha  River, 
but  never  found  a  grain  of  Inilian  corn  in  their  stomachs." 

Audubon  in  his  description  of  the  breeding  habits  of  this 
bird  says,  — 

"  The  hole  was  about  eighteen  inches  deep,  and  I  could  touch 
the  bottom  with  my  hand.  The  eggs,  which  were  laid  on  frag- 
ments of  chips  expressly  left  by  the  birds,  were  six,  large,  wiiite, 
and  translucent.  Before  the  woodpeckers  began  to  set,  I  robbed 
them  of  their  eggs,  to  see  if  they  would  lay  a  second  time.  They 
waited  a  few  days,  as  if  undecided,  when,  on  a  sudden,  I  heard  the 
female  at  work  again  in  the  tree.  She  once  more  deepened 
the  hole,  made  it  broader  at  the  bottom,  and  recommenced  laying. 
This  time  she  laid  five  eggs.  I  suffered  her  to  bring  out  her  young, 
both  sexes  alternately  incubating,  each  visiting  the  other  at  inter- 
vals,  peeping  into  the  hole  to  see  that  all  was  right  and  well  there, 
and  flying  off"  afterwards  in  search  of  food." 


i3 


§ 


102 


OUNITUOLOOY    AND   OOLOOV. 


MKLANKKl'KS,  Swai.nson. 

AMmerpei,  Swainson,  F.  B.  A..  II.  (1801)  (type  iV.  erythrocephnlut). 

Hill  nliout  I'ljuul  to  the  licail,  lironiliT  llriii  hi^li  nt  the  biitie,  l)ut  bccoininff  com- 
pressed  immediiilely  anterior  to  the  coiiiriitiicciueiit  of  the  i,'onys|  culiiK'n  and  ^onya 
with  a  moderately  decided  an»,'uhir  ridjfei  both  decidedly  curved  from  the  very 
biiMi"  a  ralhcr  (U'(jminent  iiciite  rid^u  cuiiimences  at  tliu  l)ui*c  of  tlic  mundil)le,  a  litt|)> 
hclow  the  riil^e  of  the  cidmcn,  and  pr'>ceeds  hut  a  short  distance  anterior  to  the  nov 
trils  (aliout  one-tliird  of  the  way),  when  it  filiikH  down,  and  the  bill  in  then  smooth; 
the  lateral  outlines  are  he"''.v'  concave  from  the  basal  two-thirds,  then  KC'tly  convex 
lo  the  tip,  which  does  not  exhibit  uny  abrupt  bevelling;  nostrils  open,  broadly  ovul, 
not  concealed  l)y  the  feathers,  nor  entirely  basal;  the  outer  puir  of  toes  ecpial;  winga 
Ion),',  broad;  thinl  and  fourth  i|uills  longest;  tail  feathers  broad. 

The  species  all  have  the  l)ack  black,  without  any  spots  or  streaks  anywhere. 


M£LAN£BP£S   ESYTHEOCEPHALDS.  —  Swaimon. 


The  Eed-beaded  Woodpecker. 

PicuB  trythrociphnlus,  Linnaius.     Syst.  Nut.,  I.  (1706)  174. 
I.  (1810)  Wi.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1832). 


Wilson,  Am.  Orn., 


Dk   JHIPTIOU. 

Head  and  neck  all  round  crimson-red,  margined  by  a  narrow  crescent  of  binck 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  breast;  back,  primary  quills,  and  tall,  bluish-black;  under 
parts  generally,  a  broad  band  across  the  middle  of  tlie  wing,  ai^d  the  rump  white; 
iris  hazel;  bill  and  feet  bluish-black.    The  female  is  not  diO'erent. 

Length  abo"':  nine  and  three-quarters  inches;  wing,  five  and  a  half. 

This  hantJsome  Woodpecker  is  a  not  very  common  summer 
inhabitant  of  New  England.  It  makes  its  appearance  from 
the  South  about  the  10th  of  May.  Its  habits  are  similar  to 
those  of  the  other  species ;  and  I  recollect  nothing  of  any 
importance  that  is  peculiar  to  them  except,  perhaps,  that 
these  ))irds  seem  to  be  much  fonder  of  the  small  fruits  than 
cither  of  the  others.     Wilson  says  of  this  fact :  — 

"  AVherever  there  is  a  tree,  or  trees,  of  the  wild  cherry,  covered 
with  ripe  fruit,  there  you  see  them  busy  among  the  brauchea;  and, 
in  passing  orchards,  yo!i  may  easily  know  where  to  find  tlie  earliest, 
sweetest  apples,  by  observing  those  trees  on  or  near  which  the 
Il(^(l-headed  Woodpecker  is  skulking:  for  he  is  so  excellent  a  con- 
noisseur in  fruit,  that,  wherever  an  apple  or  pear  is  found  broached 
by  him,  it  is  sure  to  be  among  the  ripest  and  best  flavored.     Wheu 


Rkd-ueaukd 


3 


■1 


8 


ReD-imAUUu  Woodheckkr,    Melanerpes  eryllirorip^alut.     Swainaon. 


nluriiitid,  lit) 
it,  uiul  Ik'iu 
rich,  Buccu 
()|)cniii{(  a 
t'eediiig  on 
(;omnioti  an 
rotreuts,  wl 
tbnd  of  the 
\  iuits  tu  tht 
often  uppro 
unci  weathu 
half  a  dozu 
erating  aro 
and  playing 
gambols, 
resembles  \ 
tree,  that  i 
other. 

"  Such  t 
of  the  Red 
haH  been  st 
meritorioiu 
fact,  the  1 
offered  prt 
destruction 
exist,  thej 
usefulness 
vices,  let  n 
as  we  can 

"  Thou| 
natural  an 
and  destn 
tree  to  de 
known  to 
is  evident 
length,  eh 
position  0 


THE   RRD-IIRADKD   WOODrKCKKtl. 


109 


nlurined,  lie  ii«izt>H  a  cupitikl  one  by  H(rikiiig  liis  u|H)U  bill  drop  iiilu 
it,  und  b('iu'8  it  oil'  to  tlio  woods.  When  tlio  Indian  corn  Im  in  it« 
rich,  Bucenk-nt,  milky  ftato,  ho  nttiu'ks  it  with  nvoat  cafjerm  •*>«, 
opening  a  pattHngu  through  tliu  nuincrous  t'oIdH  of  tiio  hii'^k,  aii<l 
t'evding  on  it  with  voracity.  The  girdled  or  diailenfid  tindicr,  m 
<;oninion  among  corn-fitdds  in  the  Imok  settleniiMits.  aro  IiIh  f'avorito 
rotreats,  whenco  he  lullieH  out  to  make  lii.s  dt'pi't'datioii.s.  He  in 
Ibnd  of  the  ripe  bcries  of  the  sour  gum,  ami  pays  prt-tty  regular 
visits  to  the  cherry-trees,  when  loaded  with  fruit.  Towards  fall,  he 
often  approaches  the  barn  or  farm-house,  and  rajis  on  the  shingles 
and  weather-boards :  ho  is  of  a  gay  and  frolicsome  disposition  ;  and 
half  a  dozen  of  the  fraternity  are  frecpjently  seen  diving  and  vocif- 
erating around  the  high,  dead  limbs  of  some  largo  tree,  pursuing 
and  playing  with  each  other,  and  anuising  the  passenger  with  their 
gambols.  Their  note,  or  cry,  is  shrill  and  lively ;  and  so  much 
resembles  that  of  a  species  of  tree-frog,  which  fre(iuents  the  same 
tree,  that  ifc  is  sometimes  difficult  to  distinguish  the  one  from  the 
other. 

"  Such  are  the  vicious  traits,  if  I  may  so  speak,  in  the  character 
of  the  Red-headed  Woodpecker;  and  I  doubt  not  but,  from  what 
has  been  said  on  this  subject,  that  some  readers  would  consider  it 
meritoriouB  to  exterminate  the  whole  tribe  as  a  nuisance ;  and,  in 
fact,  the  legislatures  of  some  of  our  provinces,  in  former  times, 
offered  premiums  to  the  amount  of  twopence  per  head  for  their 
destruction.*  But  let  us  not  condema  the  species  unheard :  they 
exist,  they  must  therefore  be  necessary.  If  their  merits  and 
usefulnebs  be  found,  on  examination,  to  preponderate  against  their 
vices,  let  us  avail  ourselves  of  the  former,  while  we  guard  as  well 
as  we  can  against  the  latter. 

"  Though  this  bird  occasionally  regales  himself  on  fruit,  yet  his 
natural  and  most  useful  food  is  insects,  particularly  those  numerous 
and  destructive  species  that  penetrate  the  bark  and  body  of  the 
tree  to  deposit  their  eggs  and  larvne,  the  latter  of  which  are  well 
known  to  make  immense  havoc.  That  insects  are  his  natural  food 
is  evident  from  the  construction  of  his  wedge-formed  bill,  the 
length,  elasticity,  and  figure  of  his  tongue,  and  the  strength  and 
position  of  his  claws,  as  well  as  from  his  usual  habits.     lu  fact, 


1  Kalm. 


104 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGV, 


insects  form  at  least  two-thirds  of  his  subsistence ;  and  iiis  stomach 
is  scarcely  ever  found  without  them.  He  searches  for  them  with  a 
dexterity  and  intelligence,  I  may  safely  say,  more  than  human :  he 
jierceivcs,  by  the  exterior  appearance  of  the  bark,  where  they  lurk 
b(!knv ;  when  he  is  dubious,  he  rattles  vehemently  on  the  outside 
with  his  bill,  and  his  acute  ear  distinguishes  the  terrified  vermin 
slii'inking  within  to  their  inmost  retreats,  wliere  his  pointed  and 
barbed  tongue  soon  reaches  them.  The  masses  of  bugs,  cater- 
jullars,  and  other  larvie,  which  I  have  taken  from  the  stomachs 
of  these  birds,  liave  often  surprised  me.  These  larvie,  it  should  be 
remendiered,  feed  not  only  on  the  buds,  leaves,  and  blossoms,  but 
on  ilie  very  vegetable  life  of  the  tree,  —  the  alburnum,  or  newly 
forming  biirk  and  wood.  The  consequence  is,  that  the  whole 
branches  and  whole  trees  decay  under  the  silent  ravages  of  these 
destructive  vermin ;  witness  the  late  destruction  of  many  hundred 
acres  of  i)ine-trees  in  the  north-eastern  parts  of  South  Carolina, 
and  the  thousands  of  peach-trees  that  yearly  decay  from  the  same 
cause.  Will  any  one  say,  that,  taking  half  a  dozen,  or  half  a 
hundred,  ajjples  from  a  tree,  is  equally  ruinous  with  cutting  it 
down  ?  or  tliat  the  services  of  a  useful  animal  should  not  be 
rewarded  witli  a  small  portion  of  that  which  it  has  contributed  to 
preserve  ?  We  are  told,  in  the  benevolent  language  of  the  Scrip- 
lures,  not  to  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  that  treadeth  out  the 
corn ;  and  .hy  should  not  the  same  generous  liberality  be  ex- 
tended to  this  useful  ftimily  of  birds,  which  forms  so  pov  erful  a 
phalanx  against  the  inroads  of  many  millions  of  destructive  ver- 


min f 


?" 


About  the  middle  of  May,  tins  species  pairs,  and  soon 
commences  excavating  a  hole  in  a  tree,  either  in  the  woods 
or  orchard,  as  he  is  not  particular  in  his  choice.  This  work 
is  done  by  both  the  birds,  who  labor  with  industry  and 
cheerfulness  until  the  excavation  is  finished ;  this  is  from 
fourteen  to  eighteen  inches  deep,  and,  like  those  of  other 
woodpeckers,  is  roomy  at  the  bottom,  and  tapering  gradually 
to  the  entrance,  which  is  only  large  enough  for  the  comfort- 
able  passage  of  tlie  bird :  it  is  not  lined,  but  the  bottom  ia 
partly  covered  with  chips  from  the  sides  of  the  hole.    The 


THE  GOLDEN-WINGED   WOODrECKER. 


105 


eggs  are  generally  five  or  su  in  number,  and  of  a  beautiful 
clear-white.  Dr.  Thompson  says,  in  his  "  Birds  of  Ver- 
mont," that  "  they  are  marked  with  reddish  spots  at  the 
large  end."  This  was  a  mistake ;  I'or  the  eggs  of  wood- 
peckers are  always  immaculate.  The  shell  is  smoother 
than  that  of  any  other  woodpecker's  egg  of  my  acquaint- 
ance. Length  of  specimens  vary  from  1.07  to  1.12  inch, 
breadth  from  .77  to  .84  inch. 


COLAPTES,  SwAixsoN. 

Colnptes,  SwAixsos,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (Dec.  1627)  353  (type  C.  aurntus). 

Bill  slender,  depressed  at  the  base,  then  compressed;  culiiien  much  curved;  gonys 
9tral};ht,  both  with  acute  ridges,  and  coming  to  quite  a  sharp  point  with  the  com- 
missure at  the  end;  the  bill  consequently  not  truncate  at  the  end;  no  ridges  on  the 
bill;  nostrils  basal,  mediiin,  oval,  and  exposed;  gonys  very  short,  about  half  the 
culinen;  feet  large,  the  anterior  outer  toe  considerably  longer  than  the  posterior;  tail 
long,  exceeding  the  secondaries,  the  feathers  suddenly  acuminate,  with  elongated 
points. 

COLAPTES  ADEATUS.  —  Swaiiison. 

The  Golden-winged  Woodpecker;  Flicker;  Pigeon  Woodpecker. 

Picu8  am-ntus,  LinnKus.  Syst.  Nat.  (1766)  174.  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  I.  (1810)  46. 
Aud.  Orn.  Diog.,  I.  (1832)  191. 

Desckiption. 

Shafts  and  under  surLces  of  wing  and  tail  feathers  gamboge-yellow;  a  black 
patch  on  each  side  of  the  cheek ;  a  red  crescent  on  the  nape ;  throat  and  stripe 
beneath  the  eye  pale  lilac-brown;  back  glossed  with  olivaceous-green;  female  with- 
out the  black  cheek  patch ;  a  crescentic  patch  on  the  breast,  and  rounded  spots  on 
the  belly,  black ;  back  aud  wing  coverts  with  interrupted  transverse  bands  of  black ; 
neck  above  and  sides  ashy. 

Length,  about  twelve  and  a  half  inches ;  wing,  six. 

This  is  a  very  common  summer  inhabitant  of  New  Eng- 
land. It  is  probably  the  most  abundant  of  all  the  wood- 
peckers, and  is  very  generally  known.  It  is  in  the  southern 
districts  of  these  States  a  resident  throughout  the  year; 
and  in  Massachusetts  I  have  often  met  with  it  in  midwin*^^;n', 
when  the  season  was  not  of  the  mildest  either.  They  begin 
to  arrive  from  the  south  at  about  the  second  week  in 
March. 


:3 

n 

8 


106 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


Tlio  habits  of  this  bird  arc  so  well  known,  that  any 
description  hero  sccnis  to  be  a  work  of  supererogation. 
About  the  first  week  in  ]\Iay,  the  males  begin  to  pay  court 
to  tlie  females  ;  at  this  period  their  movements  arc  amusing. 

"  Tlicir  note  is  merriment  itself,  as  it  imitates  a  pi'olonged  and 
jovial  laugh,  heard  at  a  considerable  distance.  Several  males  pur- 
sue a  female,  reach  her,  and,  to  prove  the  force  and  truth  of  tlieir 
love,  how  tlicir  heads,  spread  their  tails,  and  move  sidewise,  back- 
wards, and  forwards,  performing  such  antics  as  might  induce  any  one 
witnessing  them,  if  not  of  a  most  morose  temper,  to  join  his  laugh 
to  theirs.  Tiie  female  flies  to  another  tree,  wliere  she  is  closely  fol- 
lowed Vy  one,  two,  or  even  half  a  dozen  of  these  gay  suitors,  and 
where  again  the  same  ceremonies  are  gone  through.  No  fightings 
occur,  no  jealousies  seem  to  exist  among  these  beaux,  until  a  marked 
preference  is  shown  to  some  individual,  when  the  rejected  proceed 
in  search  of  another  female.  In  this  manner,  all  the  Golden- 
winged  Woodpeckers  are  soon  happily  mated.  Each  pair  imme- 
diately proceed  to  excavate  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  and  finish  a  hole  in 
it  sufficient  to  contain  themselves  and  tlieir  young.  They  both 
work  witli  great  industry  and  apparent  pleasure.  Should  the  male, 
for  instance,  be  employed,  the  female  is  close  to  him,  and  congratu- 
lates him  on  the  removal  of  every  chip  which  his  bill  sends 
through  the  air.  While  he  rests,  he  appears  to  be  speaking  to  her 
oil  the  most  tender  subjects,  and  when  fatigued  is  at  once  assisted 
by  her.  In  this  manner,  by  the  alternate  exertions  of  each,  the 
hole  is  dug  and  finished."  —  Audubon. 

This  is  often  as  much  as  twenty  inches  in  depth,  and  in 
a  solid  tree  very  often  at  that.  On  the  bottom  of  this  hole, 
the  female  lays  six  pure-white  eggs :  these  are  generally  of 
uniform  ovoidal  shape,  and  vary  in  size  from  1  to  1.16  inch 
in  length,  by  from  .82  to  .92  in  breadth. 

When  the  eggs  are  removed,  the  female,  after  a  couple 
of  days'  deliberation,  lays  another  litter  ;  and  I  have  known 
of  this  being  repeated  several  times  by  a  bird  that  was 
unwilling  to  leave  the  nest  which  she  and  her  mate  had 
been  at  so  much  labor  to  prepare.    Instances  have  occurred 


13 

ill 


§ 


GoLUEN-wiNGRD  WooDPKCKKB,  Colaptet  auratus.     Swainson. 


of  this 
days,  the 
three  bci 
cies  con 
greedily 
tion  of  i1 
seldom  I 
always  h 
her  on  tl 
attacked 
oiislaugh 
one  broc 


THE  GOLDEN-WINGED   WOODPECKER. 


107 


of  this  bird's  laying  eighteen  or  twenty  eggs  in  a  few 
days,  they  being  removed  as  soon  as  laid,  and  only  two  or 
three  being  left  in  the  nest  at  a  time.  Tlie  food  of  this  spe- 
cies consists  of  insects,  berries,  and  grains.  Ants  are 
greedily  eaten  by  it,  and  constitute  no  inconsiderable  por- 
tion of  its  diet.  On  visiting  the  nest  at  night,  I  have  very 
seldom  been  able  to  catch  the  old  bird  in  it;  she  almost 
always  heard  my  approach,  and  took  flight :  once  I  caught 
her  on  the  nest;  but,  as  I  put  my  hand  in  to  secure  her,  she 
attacked  it  with  fierce  pecks  of  her  bill,  and  made  such  an 
onslaught  that  I  was  glad  to  permit  her  to  escape.  But 
one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season. 


■:3 
8 


108 


OUMTHOLOGY   ANU   OOLUGY. 


ORDER  III.  — INSESSORES.    Perchers. 


»* 


Ii!  accordance  with  the  views  of  many  systematic  writers, 
U  may  perhaps  be  as  well  to  retain  un  order  Insessores,  and  to 
place  in  it  the  Strbores,  Glamatores,  and  Oscincs  as  sub-orders. 
The  characters  of  the  order  will  then  consist  chiefly  in  the  posses- 
sion of  three  toes  in  front  and  ore  behind  (or,  at  least,  never  with 
two  toes  directed  backwards),  as  in  Scansores.  The  claws  are  not 
retractile,  nor  the  bill  with  a  cere,  as  in  the  Raptores  ;  nor  is  the 
hind  toe  situated  appreciably  above  the  plane  of  the  others,  as  in 
Rnsores,  Grallatores,  and  Nututores. 

Tlie  hind  toe  of  the  Insessores  corresponds  to  the  thumb  or 
inner  toe  of  the  mammals,  and  is  usually  quite  short.  The  joints 
of  the  anterior  toes  generally  follow  the  law  of  number  character- 
istic of  birds ;  namely,  two  to  the  hinder,  three  to  the  iinier,  four 
to  the  middle,  and  five  to  the  outer  toes :  but  a  deviation  is  seen  in 
some  Strisores,  where  there  are  sometimes  but  three  joints  each  to 
the  anterior  toes,  and  sometimes  only  four  in  the  outer.  The  tarsi 
are  generally  covered  anteriorly  with  plates,  and  furnished  behind 
with  granulations  or  small  scales,  or  else  with  two  long  plates 
covering  the  sides,  the  latter  feature  especially  characteristic  of  the 
Oscines,  or  singing-birds  :  in  the  latter  alone  is  the  tarsus  some- 
times covered  anteriorly  with  a  single  plate.  Sometimes  the  tarsus 
is  entirely  or  partly  naked,  or  destitute  of  plates  altogether. 

The  car])al  joint  or  the  hand  part  of  the  wing  is  in  most 
Insessores  furnished  with  ten  quills  (primaries),  although  the  first 
quill  is  sometimes  very  short,  or  even  entirely  wanting,  as  in  many 
Oscines.  The  fore-arm  has  from  six  (in  the  Humming-birds)  to 
thirteen  quills,  the  average  being  eight  or  nine. 

There  are  certain  peculiarities  in  the  arrangement  of  he 
wing  coverts  of  the  different  sub-orders  of  Insessores,  constituting 
important  distinctive  features.  Some  of  these  will  be  hereafter 
referred  to. 


ORDER   III. 


•  INSESSOBES. 


10!) 


Tlio  tail  of  the  Insessores  exhibits  considerable  differences. 
The  number  of  feathers  is  usually  twelve ;  sometimes  ten  only,  as 
in  tlie  Sln'sores. 

The  different  groujis  of  the  order  Lispssnres  are  subject  to  con- 
siderable variations  in  respect  to  the  structure  of  the  lower  larynx 
attached  to  the  trachea  or  windpipe  just  anterior  to  its  division 
into  the  two  bronchial  tubes.  Cuvier  long  since  showed,  that  the 
true  singing-birds  had  the  larynx  provided  with  a  i»eculiar  appa 
ratus  for  the  purpose  of  eff'ecting  a  modulation  of  the  voice, 
composed  of  live  pairs  of  muscles,  of  which  other  birds  were 
destitute  in  greater  part,  or  entirely.  The  characteristic  of  tiie 
groups  Strisores,  Clamatores,  and  Osciiies,  and  of  their  subdivisions, 
as  will  be  shown  hereafter,  depend  very  much  on  these  peculiarities 
of  the  larynx. 

The  tongue  of  the  Insessores  varies  to  a  considerable  degree. 
In  the  Humming-birds,  it  is  thread-like  and  bifurcated.  In  most 
other  insessorial  or  perching  birds,  it  is  long  or  short,  flat,  and 
triangular,  the  posterior  extremity  bilobed,  the  anterior  usually 
with  the  tip  horny,  serrated,  or  with  fibres,  more  rarely  smooth. 
Tliese  furnish  important  characteristics  for  the  division  into  familieH. 
and  even  genera ;  the  variations  being  quite  considerable. 

See  Introduction,  and  vol.  IX.,  Pacific  R.R.  Reports,  128. 


3 


!? 


no 


OUNITUOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


SUB-ORDER  STRISORES. 


Familt  TUOCIIILIDiE.     Tin:  IIuMMiNG-niRDS. 

There  is  no  prnup  of  birds  so  interesting  to  flie  omitliologlst  or  to  the  caiuai 
ob8cr\'cr  as  the  Iluinminff-'iirda;  at  once  tlie  smallest  in  size,  tlie  most  gorgeoiwly 
beautiful  in  i.ulor,  iiml  almost  the  most  abundant  in  species  of  any  single  family  of 
birds.  They  are  strictly  confined  to  the  continent  and  islands  of  America,  and  are 
most  abundant  in  the  Centnil-Amerii'nn  States;  though  single  species  range  almost 
to  the  Arctic  regions  on  the  north  and  to  Patagonia  on  the  south,  as  well  as  from 
the  scacoast  to  the  frozen  summits  of  the  Andes.  The  number  of  known  species 
considerably  exceeds  three  hundred,  and  new  ones  are  being  constantly  brought  to 
light;  so  tliat  an  estimate  of  four  hundred  species  is,  perhaps,  not  too  large.  Many 
are  very  limited  m  their  range;  some  confined  to  particular  islands,  even  though  of 
small  dimensions. 

The  bill  of  the  Humming-bird  is  awl-shaped  or  subulate,  thin,  and  shar))- 
pointed,  straight  or  curved;  sometimes  as  long  as  the  head,  sometimes  much 
longer.  The  mandibles  are  excavated  to  the  tip  for  the  lodgement  of  the  tongue, 
and  form  a  tube  by  the  close  apposition  of  their  cutting  edges.  There  is  no  indica- 
tion of  stiff  bristly  feathers  at  the  base  of  the  mouth.  The  tongue  has  some  resem- 
blance to  that  of  the  Woodpeckers  in  the  elongation  of  the  comua  backwards, 
so  as  to  pass  round  the  back  of  the  skull,  and  then  anteriorly  to  the  base  of  the 
bill.  The  tongue  itself  is  of  very  peculiar  structure,  consisting  anteriorly  of  two 
hollow  threads  closed  at  the  ends  and  united  behind.  Tho  food  of  the  Ilumming- 
bird  consists  almost  entirely  of  insects,  which  are  captured  by  protruding  the  tongue 
into  flowers  of  various  shapes,  without  opening  the  bill  very  wide. 

The  wings  of  the  Iluniining-birds  are  long  and  falcate;  the  shafts  very  strong; 
the  primaries  usually  ten  in  number,  the  first  always  longest;  there  are  six  seconda- 
ries. The  tail  has  but  ten  feathers.  The  feet  are  small;  the  claws  verj*  sharp  and 
strong! 

The  species  known  to  inhabit  the  United  States,  though  few,  are  yet  nearly  twice 
as  many  as  gi\'cn  by  Mr.  Audubon.  It  is  probable  that  additional  ones  will  here- 
afler  be  detected,  particularly  on  our  southern  borders. 

The  different  authors  who  have  mnde  a  specialty  of  the  Humming-birds  have 
named  a  great  ninny  sub-families  and  genera;  but  there  has  as  yet  been  no  published 
systematic  description  of  the  higher  groups.    It  is  probable  that  the  North-Ameri- 


1  iMost  of  the  above  general  remarks  arc  borrowed  from  Burmeister  (Thiers  Bra- 
lilicns,  Vogel,  311),  to  which  I  would  rel'er  for  an  excellent  article  on  the  structure 
and  habits  of  Ilununing-birds. 


THE   RUHY-THRO.\Ti:i)    IIUMMlNU-UlUn. 


Ill 


c«n  spocios  hdong  to  twn  (liftiTpnt  sub-fnmilins,  —  flm  I.nmpnmiOihur  nnil  the  7V<v 
cMlimr,  —  1111(1  to  nt  lenst  t'cmr  k<'I1''i''i;  hut  tlic  precise  clianirter  ami  liniits  (if  these  I 
am  iiniible  Id  ^i^'e-  Tliu  Inlhjwiii^  remarkR,  however,  may  serve  to  sketch  out  the 
tlinrat'tcr!)  ol'  the  Xortli-Amerieun  species;  — 

A.  F.dgea  of  mandiblo  serrnted  near  tlie  end;  throat  without  metallic,  scale-like 
feathers. 

Lnmjxti-m.i.  —  Bill  depressed,  slightly  curved;  tail  broad,  sliKhtly  emari^inate,  tho 
outer  I'eatlier  an  broad  as  the  rest;  wings  reaching  tlie  tip  of  tail;  no  metallio 
feathers  on  tlie  throat. 

H.  Edges  of  mandible  nenrlj*  even  towards  the  tip,  without  distinct  serrations | 
throat  with  metallic,  scale-like  feathers. 

Trnclitliis.  —  l'>atliors  of  throat  but  little  elongated  laternllj';  lateral  tail  feathers 
but  little  narrower  than  the  others,  and  lanceolate-aeute;  tail  forked. 

Scldfphorus. —  Feathers  of  tlie  throat  much  elongated  laterally  into  a  rulF;  lateral 
tail  feathers  much  narrower  than  the  middle  ones,  and  linear  in  shape,  or  with  the 
sides  parallel  to  the  end,  which  is  rounded;  tail  graduated  or  cuncate;  outer  primary 
attenuated  at  the  tip;  crown  without  metallic  scales. 

AtlliU.  —  Similar  to  the  last,  but  the  top  of  the  head  with  metallic  scales  like  the 
throat;  the  outer  primary  not  attenuated;  tail  emarginated,  or  deeply  forked. 


TROCIIILUS,  LiNN.Eiis. 

TEOCHILUS  COLUBEIS  —  Limceus. 
The  Uuby-'.hroated  Humming-bird, 

Ti-oclibis  colubris,  JAnnfewa.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (17CG)  ini.    Wilson,  Am.  Om.,  11. 
(1810)  20.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  I.  (1832)  248.      lb.,  Birds  Amcr.,  IV.  (1S42)  190. 
Ornismyn  coliibris,  Deville.    Rev.  et.  Mag.  Zool.  (May,  1S52)  (habits). 

DEScnimoN. 

Tail  in  the  male  deeply  forked,  the  feathers  all  narrow  lanceolate-acute;  in  the 
females  lightly  rounded  and  emarginatc;  the  feathers  bro.idcr,  though  pointed;  male, 
uniform  metallic-green  above;  a  ruby-red  gorget  with  no  conspicuous  ruff;  a  white 
collar  on  the  throat;  sides  of  body  greenish;  tail  feathers  uniformly  brownish-violet; 
female,  without  the  red  on  the  throat;  the  tail  is  rounded  and  emarginate,  the 
inner  feathers  shorter  than  the  outer;  the  tail  feathers  banded  with  black,  and 
the  outer  tipped  with  white;  no  rufous  or  cinnamon  on  the  tail  in  either  sex. 

Length,  three  and  twentj'-five  onc-hundredths  inch;  wing,  one  and  sixty  one- 
liundredths;  tail,  one  and  twenty-live  one-hundredths  inch;  bill,  sixty-live  ono- 
hundrcdths. 


s 


THIS  beautiful  little  wiuged  gem  is  distributed  tin  mgh- 
out  New  England  as  a  summer  visitor.  It  arrivea 
from  tho  south  from  about  the  lotli  to  the  25th  of  Mc.y, 
according  to  latitude,  and  usually  in  pairs.  The  first  notice 
that  we  havo  of  his  arrival  is  a  humming,  sound,  and  now 


U-2 


ORNITHOLOliV    AND   OOLOOY. 


and  tluMi  a  sliarp  diirp.  like  that  of  a  lar^^c  boetlo,  among 
tlic  oarliest  llowx-rs  in  tlio  gardtMi.  W<;  look  in  the  dircdioi\ 
of  the  sound,  and  pcrcoivo  our  littlo  stranger  darting  ahout, 


m 


->?;' 


and  thrusting  his  bill  and  little  head  into  the  flowers, 
busily  searching  for  the  small  insects  tliat  inhabit  them, 
and  which  constitute  the  principal  part  of  his  food.  While 
we  are  looking  at  him,  he  suddenly  alights  on  a  twig, 
turns  his  gorgeous  throat  towards  us,  and  scans  us  with 
his  bright  little  black  eyes.  While  he  is  perched,  he  busies 
himself  in  arranging  his  plumage,  and  cleaning  from  his 
feathers  the  droi)s  of  dew  that  have  perhaps  fallen  upon 
him,  uttering  occasionally  his  merry  chirp ;  presently  his 
mate  appears,  and  alights  by  his  side.  The  little  lovers  (for 
they  are  still  such)  then  indulge  in  mutual  caresses,  and 
apparently  talk  over  with  much  earnestness  their  plans  for 
future  housekeeping.  Woe  to  another  humming-bird,  if  he 
comes  in  sight!  for  our  little  friend  is  not  only  jealoiis 
of  liis  mate,  biit  is  very  quarrelsome  also,  and  protects  his 
honor  with  great  courage.  As  he  darts  otT  like  a  bullet  at 
the  intruder,  his  mate  watches  with  no  little  interest  for  the 
results  of  the  battle  that  is  inevitable.  The  two  males  meet 
in  the  air,  and  fierce  is  the  contest ;  their  littlo  wings  beat 
the  air  with  such  force  that  their  humming  is  heard  at  the 


Tin-    UUUY-TimOATKI)    lirMMINC-IlIIMi. 


1X3 


(li«taiicc  of  sovenil  rods  ;  up  they  mount,  rushing  against 
and  striking  each  other  witii  their  sharp  little  liills,  until 
they  are  hoth  U)st  to  the  sigiit:  presently  our  ac(|UuintanL'i) 
descends  to  the  twig  where;  his  mate  is  seated,  and  stmts 
heforo  her  with  a  pride  much  hirger  than  his  l»ody,  ap- 
parently anxioua  for  her  approval  of  his  courage.  .Sho 
caresses  him ;  and,  after  he  has  adjusted  his  plumage,  oil' 
they  shoot  lor  other  scenes  and  pleasures. 

Aliout  the  first  week  in  June,  the  llnnuuing-hird  com- 
mences building  its  nest:  this  is  comj)osed  of  a  soft  down, 
that  is  taken  from  the  stems  of  some  of  tho  ferns ;  it  is 
covered  entirely  with  lichens,  which  are  glued  on  with  the 
saliva  of  the  bird,  giving  it  the  appearance  of  a  mossy  knot. 
It  is  usually  built  on  the  upper  side  of  a  limb ;  but  I  have 
known  of  cases  of  its  being  built  in  a  forked  twig.  The 
whole  fabric  is  about  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter,  and 
about  that  in  depth  externally ;  it  is  hollowed  about  half  an 
inch,  and  is  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter  internally; 
it  is  lined  with  soft,  downy  substances  detached  from  flying 
seeds.  The  eggs  are  two  in  number,  white,  and  nearly 
elliptical  in  shape,  being  of  about  equal  size  at  ])oth  ends. 
Length  of  eggs,  about  .45  inch;  l)readth,  about  ..31  inch.  1 
am  inclined  to  think,  that,  in  the  latitude  of  New  England, 
this  bird  raises  only  one  brood  in  the  season ;  but  further 
south  it  undoubtedly  rears  two.  The  period  of  incubation 
is  ten  days. 

On  approaching  tho  nest,  tho  parent  bird  immediately 
flies  at  the  intruder;  and  it  was  by  this  means  that  I  have 
been  enabled  to  find  specimens  of  the  nests,  when  I  could 
not  possibly  have  done  so  if  their  locality  had  not  been 
betrayed  by  the  bird  herself.  I  have  heard  of  young  birds 
being  taken  from  the  nest  when  nearly  fledget ,  kept  for 
several  weeks,  and  fed  with  nothing  but  sweetened  water ; 
but  they  always  died  after  a  short  confinement,  and  I  believe 
that  it  is  impossible  to  keep  this  i^ird  as  a  pet,  from  the 

8 


':3 


:> 


8 


114 


OUNirilOI.OOY   AND   OOLOCV, 


fact  that  its  actual  food  is  insects,  and  it  cannot  live  on  anv 
other. 

Wilson  gives  tlio  folIi)\ving  facts  in  rehition  to  tliis.     IIo 
says : — 

'*Tlii'  siii^'iiliirity  <>f  tl'i'^  litMo  Itlnl  has  indiicod  miiny  .iiersoim  to 
uHtiiijit  to  iiiisc  tlicm  t'loin  tho  iicst,  and  accustom  tlicm   to  tlio 
atffo.     Mr.  (uircr,  of  Kaiifax  County,  Va.,  a  gentluman  who  lum 
paid  groat  attention  to  tlio  manners  and  {jcculiarities  of  our  native 
Itirds.  told  mo  that  lie  raised  and  kept  two,  for  somo  months,  in  ii 
ca^'c,  supplying  tlicm  with  honey  dissolved  in  water,  on  which  they 
readily  fed.     As  the  sweetness  of  the  liquid  frequently  brought 
small  flies  and  gnats  about  the  cage  and  cup,  tho  birds  amused 
themselves   by  snapping  at  them  on  wing,  and  swallowing  them 
with  eagerness,  so  that  these  insects  formed  no  inconsideraolo  part 
of    their   fooil.      Mr.    Charles    Wilson    Peale,   proprietor   of   the 
Museum,  tells  me  that  he  had  two  young  Humming-birds,  which 
he  raised  from  the  nest.     They  used   to  fly  about  the  room,  and 
would  frequently  perch  on  ^Vfrs.  Peale's  shoulder  to  bo  fed.     When 
the  sun  shone  strongly  in  tho  char   jor,  he  lias  observed  them  dart- 
ing after  the  motes  that  floated  in  the  light,  as  Flycatchers  would 
after  flics.     In  the  summer  of  1803,  a  nest  of  young  Humming- 
birds was  brought  me,  that  were  nearly  fit  to  fly.     One  of  them 
actually  flew  out  by  the  window  the  same  evening,  and,  falling 
against  a  wall,  was  killed.     The  other  refused  food,  and  the  next 
morning  I  could  but  just  perceive  tliat  it  had  life.     A  lady  in  the 
house  undertook  to  be  its  nurse,  placed  it  in  her  bosom,  and,  as  it 
began  to  revive,  dissolved  a  little  sugar  in  her  mouth,  into  wliich 
she  thrust  its  bill,  and  it  sucked  with  great  avidity.     In  this  man- 
ner, it  was  brought  up  until  fit  for  the  cage.     I  kept  it  upwards 
of  three  months,  supplied  it  wiih  loaf  sugar  dissolved  in  water, 
which  it  preferred  to  honey  and  water,  gave  it  fresh  flowers  every 
morning  sprinkled  with  the  liquid,  and  surrounded  the  space  in 
which  I  kej)t  it  with  gauze,  that  it  might  not  injure  itself.     It 
appeared  gay,  active,  and  full  of  spirit,  hovering  from  flower  to 
flower   as    if  in  its  native  wilds ;   and  always  expressed,  by  its 
motions  and  chirping,  great  pleasure  at  seeing  fresh  flowers  intro- 
duced to  its  cage.     Numbers  of  people  visited  it  from  motives  of 
curiosity ;  and  I  took  every  precaution  to  preserve  it,  if  possible, 


TIIK   RUBV-TIIKOATKI)    IIUMMINCMtlUD. 


116 


tlirou>;li  tlift  winter.  Unfortmmtcly,  howpvor,  by  gonio  ttnun*  it 
got  nt  large;  ntid.  flving  n\to\\t  the  room,  so  injiirod  itHolf  tliiit  it 
ntnw  liftiT  (liid. 

"  Tliis  little  Itinl  is  extromely  RURccpfililf  of  fold  ;  luul,  if  long 
(1c|irive(I  of  the  iiiiitniitiii<^  iiitliieiico  of  the  Hutilx'nins,  droops,  and 
Kooii  dies.  A  very  beiintiful  nmlo  wns  broiiyht  me  this  seuHoii 
(I MO!)),  wliicli  I  put  into  ft  wire  enge,  n\ii\  plncod  in  ii  retired, 
niiaded  part  of  tlie  room.  After  fiutt«!ring  alioiit  for  some  time,  tiie 
weather  i)eing  iinrommonly  cool,  it  clung  by  the  wires,  and  hung  in 
a  seemingly  torpid  state  for  a  whole  forenoon.  No  motion  what- 
ever of  the  lungs  could  he  perceived,  on  Mie  closest  inspection, 
though,  at  other  times,  this  is  remarkably  observable ;  the  eyes 
were  shut ;  and,  when  touched  by  the  finger,  it  gave  no  signs 
of  life  or  motion.  I  carried  it  out  to  the  o|ien  nir,  and  placed  it 
directly  in  the  rays  of  the  sun,  in  a  sheltered  situation.  In  a  few 
seconds,  respiration  became  very  apparent ;  the  bird  breathed 
faster  and  faster,  opened  its  eyes,  and  began  to  look  about,  with  as 
much  seeming  vivacity  as  ever.  After  it  bid  completely  recov- 
ered, I  restored  it  to  liberty ;  and  it  ilew  oil'  to  the  withered  top 
of  a  pear-tree,  where  it  sat  for  some  time  dressing  its  disordered 
plumage,  and  then  shot  off  like  a  meteor." 

About  the  latter  part  of  Augtxst,  or  perliaps  by  the  8th  or 
10th  of  September,  tlio  Hummiiig-bird  takes  his  departure 
for  the  south.  The  young  birds  travel  with  their  parents, 
or,  at  any  rate,  leave  this  section  witli  them ;  for  I  liave 
invariably  noticed  that  these  little  groups  wore  together  up 
to  the  time  when  they  left.  The  parents  return  to  the  same 
breeding-place  in  the  succeeding  year ;  and  I  have  known  of 
a  pair  breeding  on  the  same  apple-tree  for  three  successive 
eeasons. 


•3 


-J 


8 


116 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


Family  CYl'SELIDiE.    Tin:  Swifts. 

Bill  very  smnll,  without  nc'cli,  triangular,  much  broader  than  high,  the  culmen 
not  one-sixth  the  K'>pci  anterior  iocs  rlefl  to  the  base,  each  with  three  joints  (in  the 
typical  species),  and  covered  with  skin,  the  middle  claw  without  any  serrations, 
the  lateral  tiics  nearly  equal  to  the  middle;  bill  without  bristles,  but  with  minute 
feathers  extending  along  the  under  margin  of  the  nostrils;  nostrils  elongated,  supe- 
rior, and  verj  close  together;  jihnnage  compact;  primaries  ten,  elongated,  falcate. 

CUiETURA,  Stkphens. 

Chalura,  Stephens  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.  Birds,  XIII.  (1825)  76  (type  C. 
pelnsyia). 

Tail  verj'  short,  scarcely  more  than  two-fifths  the  wings,  slightly  rounded,  the 
shafts  sfifT^Tic'd  and  extending  some  distance  beyond  the  feathers  in  a  rigid  spine ; 
first  priniarj'  longest;  legs  covered  by  n  naked  skin,  without  scutellio  or  feathers; 
tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe;  lateral  toes  equal,  nearly  as  long  as  the  middle;  hind 
toe  scarcely  versatile,  or  quite  posterior,  with  the  claw,  less  than  the  middle  anterior 
without  it;  toes  slender,  claws  moderate;  feathers  of  the  base  of  the  bill  not  extend- 
ing beyond  the  beginning  of  the  nostrils. 

CHJETUEA  VELtL&Glk.  —  Slephtnt. 

The  Chimney  Swallow. 

FTirmdo  pelasgia,  Linnaius.  Syst.  Nat.  I.  (1766)  345.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  V. 
(1812)  48. 

Cypselus  pelasgia,  Audubon.  Cm.  Biog.  II.  (1834)  329;  V.  419. 

Chatura  pelasgia,  Stephens.  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.  Birds,  XIII.  (1826)  76. 

Dksoription. 

Tail  slightly  rounded;  of  a  sooty-brcivn  all  over,  except  on  the  throat,  which 
becomes  considerably  lighter  from  the  breast  to  the  bill;  above  with  a  greenish 
tinge;  the  rump  a  little' paler. 

Length,  five  and  a  quarter  inches;  wing,  five  ten  one'  Jindredths;  tail,  two  fifteen 
onc-hundredths. 


I 
! 


THIS  well-known  bird  is  a  common  summer  inhabitant 
of  New  England.  It  arrives  in  greui;  numbers  from 
the  South,  about  the  1st  to  the  10th  of  May.  Immediately 
on  arriving,  the  birds  pair,  and  commence  building.  The 
nest  is  usually  constructed  in  an  unused  flue  of  a  chimney ; 
but,  before  the  country  was  settled,  they  bred,  and  I  liave  no 


THE   CHIMNEY   SWALLOW. 


117 


doubt  that  great  uuuibors  of  them  iu  thinly  settled  districts 
still  breed  in  hollow  trees.  The  nest  is  composed  of  twigs, 
which  are  glued  together  and  to  the  side  of  the  chimney 
with  the  saliva  of  the  bii'd.  It  is  very  rarely  lined  with  a 
few  feathers.  The  strength  of  these  structures  is  wonderful : 
and  they  are  so  durable  that  I  have  known  of  instances 
of  their  remaining  in  the  chimney  during  three  seasons. 
Usually,  the  bird  displays  great  sagacity  in  the  choice  of  a 
location  for  a  nest,  in  securing  protection  from  storms  and 
from  the  attacks  of  animals ;  but  occasionally  the  nest  is 
built  in  a  chimney,  open  at  the  top  sufficiently  wide  to 
permit  the  rain  to  trickle  down  the  sides :  the  result  is,  that 
the  moisture  softens  the  glue  by  which  the  nest  is  attaclied 
to  the  chimney,  and  it  is,  with  its  living  contents,  precipi- 
tated to  the  bottom.  Again,  if  the  nest  is  built  too  low  iu 
the  chinmey,  the  young  or  eggs  furnish  agreeable  food  for 
rats,  which,  unfortunately,  are  sometimes  found  in  dwelling- 
houses  iu  the  country  in  uncomfortable  numbers.  The  eggs 
are  generally  four  or  five  in  number,  pure-white  in  color, 
rather  long  in  shape.  Dimensions  of  five  eggs,  in  a  nest 
collected  in  Upton,  Me. :  .84  by  .44  inch,  .81  by  .46  inch, 
.80  by  .46  inch,  .78  by  .48  inch,  .76  by  .51  inch. 

This  species  is  somewhat  nocturnal  in  its  habits.  From 
earliest  dawn  until  seven  or  eight  in  the  morning,  it  is  busy 
in  the  pursuit  of  insects :  it  then  retires  to  its  roosting-places 
in  the  chimneys,  and  is  seldom  seen  until  late  in  the  after- 
noon. From  early  twilight  until  late  in  the  night,  it  is  again 
actively  employed ;  and,  having  heard  its  notes,  as  it  sped 
through  the  air,  often  as  late  as  midnight,  I  have  no  doubt 
that,  in  pleasant  weather,  it  is  busy  through  the  whole 
night. 

In  descending  the  chimneys  where  their  young  are,  the 
birds  fly  rapidly  until  they  are  immediately  over  them,  when, 
partially  closing  their  wings,  they  drop  suddenly,  and  with 
apparent  ease,  down  the  flue. 

In  ascending,  the  noise  of  their  wings  in  the  chimney  is 


"'i  K 


:::> 


^i 


0 


118 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


like  that  of  distant  thunder.  The  flight  of  these  birds  is 
very  rapid,  surpassing,  I  tliink,  tliat  of  any  other  species : 
it  is  SO  peculiar,  —  the  long  wings  vibrating  in  short,  quick, 
energetic  strokes,  —  that  it  furnishes  a  ready  means  of  dis- 
tinguishing it,  from  all  other  species,  at  a  great  height. 

About  sunset,  the  great  multitudes  of  these  birds  are  out, 
and  the  numbers  of  insects  they  destroy  must  be  immense. 
Everywhere  they  may  be  seen :  away  up  in  the  blue  sky,  as 
far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  they  are  coursing  in  wide-extended 
circles,  chasing  each  other  in  sport,  and  even  caressing  and 
feeding  their  mates  while  on  the  wing ;  a  little  lower,  they 
are  speedinf^  over  the  tops  of  the  trees,  gleaning  the  insects 
that  have  jist  left  the  foliage  ;  over  the  surface  of  the  lake 
or  river  the/  fly  so  low,  in  the  pursuit  of  aquatic  insects, 
that  their  wings  often  touch  the  water ;  everywhere  they 
are  busy.  Truly,  they  are  deserving  of  much  better  treat- 
ment than  they  too  often  receive  at  the  hands  of  the  farmer, 
to  whom  they  are  his  best  friends ;  yet  it  is  a  fact,  that,  in 
a  great  many  sections,  they  are  driven  from  the  chimneys 
of  t)ie  farm-houses,  and  even  destroyed,  at  every  oppor- 
tunity. 

About  the  last  of  August,  the  Chimney  Swallow,  in  large 
scattered  flocks,  leaves  for  the  South,  and  spends  the  winter 
in  Honduras  and  the  West  Indies.  On  returning  in  the 
spring,  the  same  pair  occupies  the  chimney  used  in  the  pre- 
irious  season,  as  has  been  proved  by  actual  observation. 


THE   WHIPPOOHWILL. 


119 


Family  CA-PRIMULGIDiE.    Tuii  Goat-suckeus. 
Sub-Family  CAPiiiMULGiNiK. 

Bill  very  short,  triangular,  the  culmen  less  than  one-sixth  the  gape ;  the  anterlui 
toes  united  at  the  base  by  a  membrane;  the  inner  anterior  toe  with  three  joints,  tlie 
utbers  with  four,  all  with  distinct  scutell*  above;  the  toe  much  elongated,  its  middle 
claw  pectinated  on  tlie  inner  edge;  hind  toe  directed  a  little  more  than  halt'  Ibr- 
waids;  tarsi  partly  feathered  superiorly ;  the  bill  more  or  less  bristled,  the  nostrils 
separated,  rather  nearer  the  commissure  than  the  culmen ;  plumage  sott,  lax,  and 
owl-like;  primary  quills,  ten;  secondaries,  eleven  or  twelve. 

ANTROSTOMUS,  Gould. 

Antrostomus,  Gouu).     Icones  Avium  (1838),  Agassiz. 

Bill  remarkably  small,  with  tubular  nostrils,  and  the  gape  with  long,  stiff,  some- 
times pectinated,  bristles ;  wings  long,  somewhat  rounded,  second  quill  longest,  the 
primaries  c^marginated ;  tail  rounded;  plumage  loose  and  soO. 


ANTEOSTOMUS  VOCIFEBUS.  —  ^onopaWe. 

Ths  Whippoorwill. 

Capnmulgua  voci/evus,  Wilson.  Am.  Oni.,  V.  (1812)  71;  And.  Orn.  Biog.,  1. 
^1832)443;  V.  405. 

Antrostomus  vocifeitis,  Bonaparte.    List,  1838. 

Desckiition. 

Bristles  without  lateral  filaments ;  wing  about  six  and  a  half  inches  long ;  top  of 
ihe  head  ashy-brown,  longitudinally  streaked  with  black;  terminal  half  of  the  tail 
feathers  (except  the  four  central)  dirty-white  on  both  outer  and  inner  webs ;  iris  dark- 
hazel.    Female,  without  white  on  the  tail. 

Length,  ten  inches;  wing,  six  and  a  half. 

THIS  familiar  species  is  a  summer  inhabitant  of  New 
.England :  it  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  second 
week  in  May.  Its  habits  are  not  well  known,  as  it  is  not  u 
very  common  species,  and  it  inhabits  the  most  secluded  spots 
in  the  deep  woods ;  but  its  song  is  well  known  to  all,  as  are 
its  nocturnal  wanderings  in  search  for  insect  food.  This 
bird,  as  also  the  Night-hawk,  is,  to  the  fanner,  one  of  the 
most  valuable  among  the  feathered  tribes :  its  food  consists 
almost  entirely  of  night-flying  Lepidoptera,  and  the  number 
of  these  insects  destroyed  is  immense. 


'4 

3 


0 


120 


OIINITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


TliL!  peculiar  song  of  t^iis  bird  is  liciu-d  at  early  cvo,  and 
until  liite  into  the  night,  during  the  muting  and  part  of  the 
breeding  seasons.  It  is  not  uttered  in  the  depths  of  the  wil- 
derness alone ;  but  the  bird,  perching  on  the  well-sweep,  on 
the  eaves  of  a  low  shed,  or  even  on  the  door-sill  of  the  farm- 
er's house,  pours  out  its  melancholy  strain.  The  descrip 
tion,  by  Alexander  Wilson,  of  the  habits  of  this  bird,  is  so 
accurate  and  comprehensive,  that  I  will  not  presume  to 
attempt  another.     JTa  says:  — 

*'  The  notes  sceui  ^^  jtty  plainly  to  articulate  the  words  which 
Iiave  been  generally  applied  to  them,  whip-poor-will,  the  first  and 
last  syllables  being  uttered  with  great  emphasis,  and  the  whole  in 
about  a  secoiul  to  each  repetition  ;  but,  when  two  or  more  males 
meet,  their  whip-poor-will  altercations  become  much  more  rapid 
and  incessant,  as  if  each  were  straining  to  overpower  or  silence  the 
other.  When  near,  you  often  hear  an  introductory  cluck  between 
the  notes.  At  these  times,  as  well  as  at  almost  all  others,  they  fly 
h)w,  not  more  than  a  few  feet  from  the  surface,  skimming  about  the 
house  and  before  the  door,  alighting  on  the  wood-pile,  or  settling  on 
the  roof.  Towards  midnight,  they  generally  become  silent,  unless 
in  clear  moonlight,  when  they  are  heard,  with  little  intermission, 
till  morning.  If  there  be  a  creek  near,  with  high,  precipitous, 
bushy  banks,  they  are  sure  to  be  found  in  such  situations.  During 
the  day,  they  sit  in  e  most  retired,  solil^ary,  and  deep-shaded  parts 
of  the  woods,  generally  on  high  ground,  where  they  repose  in 
silence.  When  disturbed,  they  rise  within  a  few  feet,  sail  low  and 
slowly  through  the  woods  for  thirty  or  forty  yards,  and  generally 
settle  on  a  low  branch  or  on  the  ground.  Their  sight  appears 
deficient  during  the  day,  as,  like  owls,  they  seem  then  to  want  that 
vivacity  for  which  they  are  distinguished  in  the  morning  and  even- 
ing twilight.  They  are  rarely  shot  at  or  molested ;  and,  from  being 
thus  transiently  seen  in  the  obscurity  of  dusk,  or  in  the  deep  um- 
brage of  the  woods,  no  wonder  their  particular  markings  of  plumage 
should  be  so  little  known,  or  that  they  should  be  confounded  with 
the  Night-hawk,  whom,  in  general  appearance,  they  so  much  re- 
semble. The  female  begins  to  lay  about  the  second  week  in  May, 
Belecting,  for  this  purpo  j,  the  most  unfrequented  part  of  tlie  wood. 


THE   WHIPPOORWILL. 


121 


often  where  some  brush,  old  logs,  heaps  of  leaves,  &c.,  had  been 
lying,  and  always  on  a  dry  situation." 

The  Whippoorwill  constructs  no  nest,  but  lays  its  eggs, 
which  arc  two  in  number,  in  a  slight  hollow  which  it 
scratches  in  the  earth,  usually  near  a  rock,  or  fallen  trujik 
of  a  tree.  These  eggs  are  of  an  elliptical  form,  being  as 
large  at  one  end  as  at  the  other ;  their  ground-color  is  a 
delicate  creamy-white,  with  blotches,  lines,  and  spots  of 
different  shades  of  light>-brown  and  lavender :  taken  alto- 
gether, it  is  one  of  the  'randsomest  eggs  found  in  New  Eng- 
land. The  length  of  several  specimens  before  mo  varies 
from  1.21  to  2.27  inches,  breadth  from  .75  to  .79  inch.  The 
bird  commences  laying  about  the  last  week  in  May,  and  the 
period  of  incubation  is  fourteen  days. 

The  young  are  soon  able  to  walk,  and  in  a  very  few  days 
can  run  with  considerable  speed ;  and  they  hide  with  such 
adroitness  that  it  is  a  work  of  no  little  difficulty  to  capture 
them.  The  female,  when  her  young  are  discovered,  imme- 
diately throws  herself  before  the  intruder,  counterfeiting 
lameness  so  well,  that,  unless  he  is  well  acquainted  with 
tiie  habits  of  birds,  he  will  quickly  be  misled  into  following 
her.  As  soon  as  the  young  birds  are  able  to  shift  for  them- 
selves, they  are  turned  adrift  by  their  parents,  and  are  seen 
only  singly,  or  at  most  in  pairs,  during  the  remainder  of 
their  stay.  By  the  latter  part  of  August,  or  seldom  later 
than  the  10th  of  September,  all  of  them  depart  for  the 
South,  the  old  males  remaining  a  few  days  later ;  uttering, 
occasionally,  their  song,  but  always  in  the  woods,  or  in 
localities  far  removed  from  human  habitation. 


''J 


^ 


0 


CHORDEILES,  Swainson. 

SwAiNSON.    Fauna  Bor.  Amer.  (1831)  496. 

Bill  very  small,  the  gape  with  very  short,  feeble  bristles;  wings  very  long  and 
pointed,  with  the  iirst  quill  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  the  second,  and  the  primaries  not 
omarginated  on  the  inner  edge;  tail  long,  slightly  forked  in  the  North-Aineiican 
ipecies;  plumage  rather  compact. 


122 


OBNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


CHOBDEILES  POPETUE.  —  iSuj/rf. 


The  Night-hawk;  Bull  Bat. 

Cnprimuhiiis  ix'petue,  Vieillot.    Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  I.  (1807)  58. 
Caprimutyua  Americanus,  Wilson,  V.  (1S12)  6j. 
Caprimul(/us  Itiyiuianus.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  273. 

Desciiiption. 

Male,  above  greenish-black,  with  but  little  mottlinp;  on  the  beail  and  back ;  wing 
ccvcrts  varied  wirh  grayish;  scapulars  with  yellowish-vufous;  a  nuchal  band  of  tine 
gray  motthng,  behind  which  is  another  coarser  one  of  rufous  spots;  a  while 
V-slmped  mark  on  the  throat;  behind  this  a  collar  of  pale-rufous  blotches,  and 
another  on  the  breast  of  grayish  mottling;  under  parts  banded  transversely  with 
dull-yellowish  or  reddi.-ili-wliite  and  brown;  wing  quills  quite  uniformly  brown ;  the 
five  outer  primaries  with  a  white  blotch  midway  between  the  tip  and  carpal 
joint,  not  extending  on  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  quill;  tail  with  a  terminal  white 
patch. 

Female,  without  the  caudal  white  patch,  the  white  of  the  throat  mixed  with 
reddish. 

Le.igth  of  male,  nine  and  fifty  one-hundre'ths  inches;  wing,  eight  and  twenty 
one-hundredths  inches. 

This  bird  is  much  more  abundantly  distributed  through- 
out New  England  than  the  preceding;  and  its  habits  are. 
consequently,  better  known.  It  arrives  from  the  south 
about  the  10th  of  May.  At  this  time,  great  numbers  may 
be  observed,  at  early  twilight,  coursing  through  the  air  in 
different  directions,  sometimes  at  a  great  height,  sometimes 
just  .above  the  trees  in  the  country,  or  houses  in  the  city; 
occasionally,  very  near  the  earth  or  water,  or,  wlien  near 
the  seacoast,  but  just  above  the  marshes,  where  they  destroy 
great  numbers  of  insects.  Their  flight  is  very  rapid,  their 
long  wings  giving  quick,  powerful  sweeps ;  and,  as  they  dart 
about  in  many  eccentric  movements,  busily  gleaning  their 
food,  they  utter,  at  oft-repeated  intervals,  their  short  note 
or  squeak,  which  almost  exactly  resembles  that  of  the  Com- 
mon Snipe. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  or  by  the  20th  of  that  month, 
in  Maine,  the  male  commences  his  attentions  to  the  female. 
His  movements  at  this  time  are  interesting,  and,  from  their 
common  occurrence,  familiar  to  all  who  live  in  the  country. 


THE   NIGHT-HAWK. 


123 


At  early  evening,  and  in  cloudy  weather  lliroughout  tlio 
greater  part  of  the  day,  he  ascends  into  the  air ;  and  when 
lie  has  attained  a  considerable  height,  partially  closing  his 
wings,  he  drops  with  great  velocity  tlirougli  tho  distance  of 
seventy-five  or  one  hundred  feet,  sometimes  nearly  to  the 
earth.  Tlie  sound  made  by  the  air  i)assing  tlmjugh  the  wing 
quills  is  so  loud  that  I  have  often  heard  it  at  certainly  the 
distance  of  half  a  mile :  'it  resembles,  as  Nuttall  truly  says, 
the  sound  produced  by  blowing  into  the  bung-hole  of  an 
empty  hogshead.  This  act  is  often  repeated,  the  bird  darting 
about  at  the  same  time  in  every  direction,  and  uttering  his 
sharp  squeak.  Wilson  was  of  the  opinion,  that  this  habit  of 
the  Night-hawk  was  confined  to  the  period  of  incubation; 
the  male  acting  in  this  manner,  as  he  thought,  to  intimidate 
any  person  from  approaching  the  nest.  I  have  had  abun- 
dant opportunities  for  observing  the  bird  in  all  times  of  the 
summer,  and  during  its  stay  with  us;  and  I  should  unhesi- 
tatingly affirm,  that,  from  the  time  of  early  courtship,  until 
the  young  ax-e  hatched,  if  not  after,  the  male  acts  in  this 
manner. 

This  species  constructs  no  nest,  but  lays  its  eggs  on  tlie 
bare  ground  in  a  slight  hollow  scratched  by  the  female,  or 
often  on  a  bare  rock.  I  liave  found  numbers  of  these  eggs, 
particularly  in  the  northern  parts  of  Maine,  where,  in  walk- 
ing over  a  pasture  or  rocky  field,  I  have  flushed  sometimes 
a  bird  in  every  ten  rods.  I  remember  a  ledge  of  rocks 
back  of  the  settlement  known  as  Wilson's  Mills,  which 
seemed  a  favorite  breeding-place  for  these  birds;  and,  in  the 
space  of  every  four  or  five  rods,  a  female  was  sitting  on  her 
eggs.  The  eggs  are  two  in  number,  elliptical  in  shape,  of 
a  dirty-white  color,  which  is  covered  with  fine  dottings 
of  different  shades  of  brown,  with  obscure  markings  of 
slate-color,  and  some  spots  of  lavender.  Length  from  1.23 
to  1.25  inch  ;  breadth,  from  .82  to  .85  uich.  A  great  num- 
ber of  specimens  from  different  sections  do  not  exhibit  an 
appreciable  variation  from  these  dimensions.     In  the  south- 


s 


124 


OIINITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


crn  districts,  it  lays  about  the  20th  of  May  ;  iu  the  northorn, 
about  the  10th  of  Juno. 

Tho  male  assists  the  female  iu  iucubating,  as  I  iiavo  wit- 
uessed  many  times.  Whou  perched  by  her  ou  a  tree  or 
fence-rail,  during  the  light  of  mid-day,  he  always  sits  along 
the  limb  or  rail,  instead  of  across  it  —  a  peculiarity  which  is 
also  noticoablo  in  the  Whippoorwill.  Some  authors,  in  speak- 
ing of  this  fact,  explain  it  by  noticing  tho  comparatively 
small  size  of  the  feet,  and  apparent  weakness  of  the  legs. 
I  think  this  can  hardly  be  a  sufficient  cause ;  for  both  these 
birds,  while  on  the  ground,  can  run  witli  considerable  speed, 
and,  if  captured,  can  not  only  perch  acrosa  the  finger  of  a 
hand  or  the  back  of  a  chair,  as  I  have  often  proved,  but  can 
rest  on  one  foot,  drawing  the  other  up  into  the  feathers 
of  the  belly,  like  other  birds. 

About  the  20th  of  August,  after  the  young  have  become 
able  to  provide  for  themselves,  all  tho  families  in  a  neigh- 
borhood assemble  in  a  large,  scattered  flock;  and,  after 
having  become  completely  recruited  from  the  laboi'S  of  incu- 
bation, they  all  leave  for  the  south. 


THE   BELTKD   KINOFISnER. 


12fi 


SUB-ORDER  CLAMATORES.    Screamers. 


Family  ALCEDTNTD^.     The  Kinofishers. 


Head  large ;  bill  long,  strong,  straight,  and  sub-pyramidnl,  usually  longer  than 
the  head;  tongue  very  small;  wings  short;  legs  small,  the  outer  and  middle  foes 
united  to  their  middle;  foes  with  the  usual  number  of  joints  (2,  3,  4,  5), 

The  gape  of  the  bill  in  the  Kingfishers  is  largo,  reaching  to  beneath  the  eyes; 
the  third  primary  is  generally  longest,  the  lirst  doridcdly  shorter;  the  secondaries 
vary  from  ♦Telve  to  fifteen  in  number,  all  nearly  equal;  the  secondaries  cover  at 
least  three-quarters  of  the  wing;  the  tail  is  short,  the  feathers  twelve  in  number, 
they  arc  rather  narrow,  the  outer  usually  shorter;  the  lower  part  of  the  tibia  is  bare, 
leaving  the  joint  and  the  tarsus  uncovered ;  the  tarsus  is  covered  anteriorly  with 
plates,  behind,  it  is  shagrecn-liko  or  granulated;  the  hind  toe  is  connected  with  the 
Inner,  so  as  to  form  with  it  and  the  others  a  regular  sole,  which  extends  unbroken 
beneath  the  middle  and  outer  as  far  as  the  latter  are  united;  the  inner  toe  is  much 
shorter  than  the  outer;  the  claws  are  sharp,  the  middle  expanded  on  its  inner  edge, 
hut  not  pectinated. 

CERYLE,  BoiE. 

Ceryle,  Boie,  Isis  (1828)  316  (type  C.  ntdis). 

Bin  long,  straight,  and  strong,  the  cnlmen  slightly  advancing  on  the  forehead, 
and  sloping  to  the  acute  tip:  the  sides  much  compressed;  the  lateral  margins  rather 
dilated  at  the  base,  and  straight  to  the  tip;  the  gonys  long  and  ascending;  tail 
rather  long  and  broad ;  tarsi  short  and  stout. 

CESTLE  ALCTON.  —  ^ot<. 

The  Belted  Kingflsher. 

Alcedo  alcijon,  Linnajus.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1760)  180.     Wilson,  Am.  Om.,  III. 
(1811)59.    Aud.  Orn.Biog.,  I.  (1831)394. 
Ceryle  alcyon,  Boie.    Isis,  (1828)  816. 

Description. 

Head  with  a  long  crest;  above  blue,  without  metallic  lustre;  beneath,  with  a  cnn- 
lealcd  band  across  the  occiput,  and  a  spot  anterior  to  the  eye,  pure-white;  a  band 
across  the  brc.nst,  and  the  sides  of  the  body  under  the  wings,  like  the  back;  prima- 
ries white  on  the  basal  half,  the  terminal  unspotted ;  tail  with  transverse  bands  and 
spots  of  white. 

Young,  with  the  sides  of  bodv  and  a  transverse  band  across  the  belly  below  th« 
pnctoral  one,  light-chestnut ;  the  pectoral  band  more  or  less  tinged  with  the  same 

Length  of  adult,  about  twelve  and  three-quarters  inches ;  wing,  six  or  more. 

BcA.  —  The  entire  continent  of  North  America. 


■^a 


•J": 


0 


126 


ORNITirOLOCY    AND   OOLOfJY. 


rillllS  Species  is  a  very  oominon  suuimor  inluibitaiit  of  .(11 
A  the  New-England  States.  It  arrives  from  the  south 
al)out  the  Ist  of  April,  often  earlier,  particularly  in  early 
springs:  indeed,  Mr.  Verrill  says  they  are  sometimes  seen 
in  Maine  in  winter,  and  they  are  often  found  in  the  southern 
districts  of  these  States  in  this  season.  The  birds,  on  arriv- 
ing, commence  pairing;  and  they  soon  begin  excavating  in  a 
sand-bank  a  long,  vviuding  hole  of  about  three  inches  and 
a  half  in  diameter  at  the  entrance,  and  gradually  larger  to 
the  end,  at  which  the  nest,  composed  of  grasses,  leaves,  and 
feathers,  is  built, — or  laid,  which  would  perhaps  bo  the  better 
term.  This  hole  is  sometimes  as  much  as  six  or  eight  feet, 
usually,  from  four  to  six,  in  length.  The  female  deposits  in 
this  nest  six  eggs  usually :  these  are  of  a  clear-white  color, 
and  of  a  nearly  spherical  shape,  being  from  1.35  to  1.42 
inch  in  length,  by  from  l.Oo  to  1.08  inch  in  breadth.  I  am 
aware  that  these  measurements  exceed  any  hcretofce  given  ; 
but  they  are  accurately  taken  from  a  large  number  of  speci- 
mens in  my  collection.  Dr.  Brewer  gives  the  dimensions 
as  averaging  1/^  in  length  by  l^^j  in  breadth.  The  period 
of  incubation  is  stated  by  Audubon  and  other  ornithologists 
to  be  sixteen  days. 

The  habits  of  this  bird  are  so  well  known  that  any 
description  here  is  almost  s\iperfluous.  Its  food,  as  its 
name  implies,  consists  almost  entirely  of  fish,  which  ho 
obtains  by  diving  into  the  water,  and  seizing  with  his  bill. 
When  })assing  over  a  sheet  of  water,  he  attentively  scans 
ilie  surface  beneath  him :  if  he  observes  a  small  fish,  he 
pauses  in  his  flight,  and  remains  over  it  a  few  seconds, 
maintaining  his  position  by  short,  quick  vibrations  of  his 
wings.  If  the  fish  is  suflficicntly  near  the  surface,  he  sud- 
denly dives  at  it,  and,  plunging  into  the  water,  seizes  it,  and 
bears  it  off  to  some  rock  or  post,  where  he  can  eat  it  at  his 
leisure.  The  note  of  the  Kingfisher  is  a  loud,  harsh  cry, 
similar  tc  the  sound  of  a  watchman's  rattle :  it  is  easily 
hoard  above  the  rushing  of  the  waters  at  a  dam  or  other 


THE  BELTED   KINOPISHF.n.  I-i 

waterfall,  and,  when  hoard  in  such  a  locality,  is  not  disagree- 
able. When  perched  on  a  limb  overhanging  tl\c  water,  ho 
frequently  jets  his  tail  in  the  manner  of  the  I'cwoc,  and 
often  descends  from  such  a  porch  and  seizes  a  frog  or  a  fish ; 
and  I  onco  shot  one  tiuit  liad  jn.st  sci/ed  a  meadow  moufo 
(arvicola)  in  this  manner.  Tlie  young  usually  remain  in 
the  hole  in  the  bank  until  they  are  about  Hedged.  I  am 
inclined  to  think,  that  usually  they  return  to  these  holes  at 
night  and  in  stormy  weather,  as  I  have  fre(iueutly  seen 
them  about  their  nests  long  after  they  were  fledged,  and 
have  even  seen  them  passing  into  them  at  the  close  of  the 
day.  In  migrating,  the  young  leave  their  parents,  and 
these  even  separate,  and  pursue  their  journey  alone ;  and  it 
is  a  case  of  rare  occurrence  that  two  are  seen  together 
after  the  latter  part  of  August. 


'3 

0 


128 


OnNITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOOY. 


Family  COLOrTERID.E.     Tub  FLYCATcriEna. 

Suh-Famih/  TvnANNlN.«. —  Tyrunt  Fhjrntchers. 

Hill  IiroiidiT  limn  liiRh  Ht  the  hnso,  much  (loprcwed,  iiimo  or  Icm  trinnptlnr;  ml- 
nii-n  nearly  as  Iii'it,'  i>»  the  head,  or  shorter,  »frainht  to  iicnr  llw  (ip,  then  siulilnnly 
bent  down  into  a  oonipieiioiis  hook,  with  a  notch  behind  it;  lip  ol  lower  jaw  also 
notchcil;  oommiasure  Btrai^ht  to  near  the  notch;  (fonyn  slightly  convex;  nontrils 
(nn\  or  rounded  in  the  o'lterior  extremity  of  the  nasiil  proovo,  and  more  or  less 
conceali'd  liy  Iiin^  bristles  which  extend  from  the  posterior  i  i,'lo  of  the  JawR  alon^ 
the  base  iif  the  bill,  iieconiini,'  smaller,  but  reaching  nearly  i  iho  median  line  of  the 
forehead;  these  bristles  with  lateral  branches  at  the  base;  Miniilar  bristles  mixed  in 
the  loral  feathers  and  tnarj,'ininK  the  chin;  tarsi  short,  fjenerally  less  than  the  middle 
toe,  completely  enveloped  by  a  series  of  lar;;o  scales  which  meet  near  the  posterior 
edfje  of  the  inner  side,  and  are  separated  either  by  naked  skin  or  by  a  row  of  small 
scales.  Sometimes  a  second  scries  of  rather  large  plates  Is  seen  on  the  posterior 
face  of  the  tarsus;  tlicsc,  however,  usually  on  the  upper  extremity  only;  basal  joint 
of  middle  toe  unitcil  almost  throughout  to  that  of  the  outer  toe,  but  more  than  half 
free  on  the  inner  side;  outer  lateral  toe  rather  the  longer;  wings  and  tail  variable, 
flrst  quill  always  more  than  three-fourths  the  second;  the  outer  primaries  sometimes 
attenuated  near  the  tip. 

TYRANNUS,  Cuvter. 

TyrnnnuB,  Cuvier,  Lemons  Anat.Comp.,  1799-1800  (Agnsslz). 

Tail  nearly  even,  or  moderately  forked,  rather  shorter  than  the  wings;  the 
feathers  broad,  and  widening  somewhat  at  the  ends;  wings  long  and  pointed; 
the  outer  primaries  rather  abruptly  attenuated  near  the  end,  the  attenuated  portion 
not  linear,  however;  head  with  a  concealed  patch  of  red  on  the  crown. 

TYRANNUS  CAKOLINENSIS.  -  Baird. 


King-bird;  Bee  Martin. 

Lanius  tyranmu,  T.innieus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  136, 
T.  matutiniis,  according  to  Ronaparte. 

Muscicnpa  lifrnmws  (Tlrisson?),  Wilson.     Am.  Om.,  I.   (1808)  C8. 
Biog.,  I.  (1832)" 403;  V.  (1830)  420.     Jb.,  Birds  Amer.,  I.  (1840)  204. 


This  belongs  to  the  Cuban 
Aud.  Om. 


Description. 

Two,  sometimes  three,  outer  primaries  abruptly  attenuated  at  the  end;  second 

quill  longest,  third  little  shorter,  first  rather  longer  than  fourth,  or  nearly  equal; 

tail  slightly  rounded,  above  dark  bluish-ash;    the  top  and  sides  of  the  head  to 

beneath  the  eyes  bluish-blaek;  a  concealed  crest  on  the  crown,  vermilion  in  the 


THE   KINO-nirU). 


1-JU 


'I'Htro,  whitp  hfliiiiil,  mill  lictnri'  imrtinlly  mixcil  with  oriinK''!  lnwcr  purl*  \>\iu'- 
wliili',  linnril  with  piili'  IiIiiMi-iikIi  on  th"  »iili"(  of  llm  tliront  nnil  ncro'*')  thn  liiin«l ; 
Biilcn  jfllin  hri'Hst  Miiil  iiinl'T  till'  viinfft  niiiiilar  to,  l>iit  riithor  li^lilrr  tlinn,  tlu>  Inn  k  ; 
iixillarics  pnlu  Krii)i.'<h-l)rown  tippfil  with  liKlitcr;  tlio  wirij{«  (lurk-l)ro>vn,  diirk'"! 
tonrariln  the  nuU  of  llm  quills;  tlip  grontpr  covnrtn  nnil  f|iiiliH  rdfji-d  witli  wliih', 
iiiont  no  on  the  (ertiuin;  tlio  lennvt  covi-rt*  imIjji-J  witli  paler;  iipprr  tail  (ovort< 
ami  upper  nurfjien  of  tliu  lull  >;losny-lilai  k,  tliu  latter  very  dark  lirown  lieiieatli; 
all  tlie  feathers  tipped,  and  the  exterior  margined  extornally  with  white,  foriii- 
InK  a  ronnpk'uous  terminal  bund  about  twenty-five  ono-hundredtha  of  an  inrli 
broad. 

The  yoiinR  of  the  year  In  niinilar,  the  eolors  duller,  the  eoiieealcd  eolored  pnteli 
on  the  (Town  wantint;;  the  tail  more  rounded,  the  |iriuiarii'8  not  atleiiiiateil. 

Speiiincns  vary  in  the  amount  of  white  nmrjfininK  the  win^  feathers;  the  upper 
tail  eoverlH  are  al.M)  margined  xometinies  with  while. 

Length,  ei>;ht  and  flt^y  one-hundrcdths  inehex;  winp,  four  and  dixty-flve  on»- 
hutidredths  iueheg;  tail,  three  and  seventy  one-hundredth»  inches i  tnrsug,  seventy- 
five  one-hundredths  inches. 


rillll.'^  common  apeclcs  is  abuiulaiitly  distrilMitcrl  tlimugli- 
_L  out  Now  England  aa  a  summer  rosidont.  It  ariivt's 
from  tlio  South  about  tlio  1st  to  the  10th  of  May :  the  mules 
precede  the  females  in  small  parties  of  throo  or  four,  the 
latter  arriving  about  a  week  or  ton  days  later. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  females,  the  males  begin 
their  attentions  to  them;  and,  as  the  season  of  courtship  is 
comparatively  short,  the  now-made  couple  soon  begin  their 
selection  of  a  locality  for  their  nest.  This  seems  to  be  with 
thom  a  rather  difficult  matter  to  settle;  for  I  have  known  of 
a  pair  remaining  in  an  orchard  a  fortnight,  examining  every 
tree  and  its  peculiar  advantages,  before  they  made  a  selec- 
tion. 

At  last,  when  the  location  is  decided,  both  birds  com- 
mence work,  and  the  nest  is  soon  completed.  It  is  usually 
placed  on  the  branch  of  an  apple  or  pear  tree,  in  a  small 
cluster  of  twigs  or  a  crotch  of  a  limb  :  it  is  constructed 
outwardly  of  coarse  grasses,  mosses,  twigs,  roots,  and 
weeds;  and  is  deeply  hollowed,  and  lined  with  fine  roots, 
horse-hairs,  and  grasses.  About  the  1st  of  June,  the  eggs 
are  laid :  these  aro  usually  five  in  number ;  their  ground- 
color is  a  very  delicate  creamy-white,  with  irregular  spatters 
and  spots  of  dilTei*ent  shades  of  brown,  and  some  obscure 

9 


8 


130 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


spots  of  lavender.  Dimensions  of  a  nest  complement  of 
live  eggs:  1.00  by  .71  inch  ;  1.0-*  by  .70  inch ;  1.02  by  .72 
inch ;  1  by  .74  inch  ;  and  .94  by  .75  inch. 

During  the  mating  and  breeding  season,  the  pugnacity 
and  courage  of  the  King-bird  are  proverbial :  if  any  bird 
approach  the  neighborhood  of  his  nest,  he  immediately 
attacks  it;  and,  whether  crow  (his  particular  dislike), 
hawk,  or  eagle,  the  intruder  is  obliged  to  flee,  so  fierce  an 
onslaught  docs  this  little  warrior  make  on  him.  As  soon 
as  the  cry  of  a  crow  is  heard,  he  is  all  activity :  ?-e  flies 
Irom  the  tree  where  he  is  perching  to  reconnoitre,  uttering 
his  shrill  twitter,  and  vibrating  his  wings  in  short,  quick, 
nervous  strokes ;  as  soon  as  the  crow  appears,  the  King- 
bird pursues  it,  his  flight  now  being  very  swift  and  powerful. 
As  soon  as  he  nears  his  foe,  he  flies  above  him,  and,  dart- 
ing down  on  his  back  and  head,  attacks  him  with  such 
vigor  that  the  crow  dives  and  dodges  to  avoid  him.  He 
repeats  his  attack,  and  follows  his  enemy,  sometimes  to  the 
distance  of  a  mile  and  more :  then,  returning  to  his  mate, 
he  perches  on  the  tree  by  her  nest,  and  twitters  a  volley  of 
courageous  songs. 

The  food  of  the  King-bird  consists  principally  of  insects, 
which  he  captures  usually  while  on  the  wing.  It  seems  a 
provision  of  nature,  that  all  the  Flycatchers  shall  only  take 
tliose  insects  that  have  taken  flight  from  the  foliage  of  trees 
and  shrubs,  at  the  same  time  making  the  warblers  and 
other  birds  capture  those  which  remain  concealed  in  such 
places.  The  King-bird,  in  seizing  a  flying  insect,  flies  in  a 
sort  of  half-flitting  hover,  and  seizes  it  with  a  sharp  snap 
of  tlie  bill.  Sometimes  he  descends  from  his  perch,  and 
captures  a  grasshopper  that  has  just  taken  a  short  ffight, 
and  occasionally  seizes  one  that  is  crawling  up  some  tall 
stalk  of  grass.  Tiiose  farmers  who  keep  bees  dislike 
this  bird  because  of  his  bad  habit  of  eating  as  many 
of  those  insects  as  show  themselves  in  the  neighborhood 
of  his  nest;  but  they  should  remember  that  the  general 


A 


«i: 


^ 


O 


KiNO-mRi>,  Ti/raniius  Ca>'oUni'n.sii<.     Baird. 


interests 
bees. 

About 
and  neigl 
ihe  soutl 
Southern 


Myiarchui 
siliens,  II.  V( 

Tarsus  eq 
tlian  the  hinc 
or  slightly  re 
the  tail,  the 
distinct  feeth 
feathers  varii 


Mtucicap( 

(1810)75.    J 

Tyrannus 


Head  wit! 
but  little  sh( 
decidedly  roi 
hundredths  ( 
the  crown,  a 
coverts  turn 
sides  of  the  1 
of  the  breasi 
wing  coverts 
and  body  ti 
coverts,  witl 
or  on  the  h 
nally  for  mc 
of  the  inne 
feathers  ligh 
the  inner  si 
ferruginous 
black;  bill  < 

The  fema 
ihaft,  or  el  SI 

Length, 


THE  GREAT-CRESTED   FLYCATCHER. 


131 


interests  of  agriculture  are  greater  than  those  of  a  hive  of 
bees. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  this  bird  with  his  family 
and  neighbors  gatner  into  a  scattered  flock,  and  depart  for 
ihe  south,  spending  the  winter  in  Central  America  and 
Southern  Mexico. 

MYIARCHUS,  Cabanis. 

Myiarchut,  Cabanis,  Fauna  Peruana  (1844-46)  152.  h  irmeister,  Thicre  Bra- 
siliens,  II.  Vogcl  (1850)  469. 

Tarsus  equal  to,  or  not  longer  than,  the  middle  toe,  which  is  decidedly  longer 
than  the  hinder  one;  bill  wider  at  base  than  half  the  culmen;  tail  broad,  long,  even, 
or  slightly  rounded,  about  equal  to  the  wings,  which  scarcelj'  reach  the  middle  of 
the  tail,  the  first  primary  shorter  than  the  sixth ;  head  with  elongated  lanceolate 
distinct  feathers;  above  brownish-olive;  throat  ash;  belly  yellow;  tail  and  wing 
featliers  varied  with  rufous. 


MTIARCHUS  CSINIinS.  —  Cabanis. 
The  Great-crested  Flycatoher. 


Wilson,  Am.  Om.,  II. 


Mutcicapa  cnnitn,  Linnseus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  325. 
(1810)  75.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II.  (18'34)  176;  V.  423. 
Tyrannus  crinittis.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  302. 

Description. 

Head  with  a  depressed  crest;  third  quill  longest,  fourth  and  second  successively 
but  little  shorter,  first  a  little  longer  than  seventh,  much  shorter  than  sixth;  tail 
decidedly  rounded  or  even  graduated,  the  lateral  feather  about  twenty-five  one- 
hundredths  of  an  inch  shorter;  upper  parts  dull  greenish-olive,  with  the  feathers  of 
the  crown,  and  to  some  extent  of  the  back,  showing  their  brown  centres;  upper  tail 
coverts  turning  to  pale  rusty-brown;  small  feathers  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  ceres, 
sides  of  the  head  as  high  as  the  upper  eyelid,  sides  of  the  neck,  throat,  and  forepart 
of  the  breast,  bluish-ashy;  the  rest  of  the  lower  parts,  including  axillaries  and  lower 
wing  coverts,  bright  sulphur-yellow;  a  pale  ring  round  the  eye;  sides  of  the  breast 
and  body  tinged  with  olivaceous;  the  wings  brown,  the  first  and  second  rows  of 
coverts,  with  the  sccondarj'  and  tertial  quills,  margined  externally  with  dull-white, 
or  on  the  latter  slightly  tinged  with  olivnceous-yellow;  primaries  margined  exter- 
nally for  more  than  half  their  length  from  the  base  with  ferruginous,  great  portion 
of  the  inner  webs  of  all  the  quills  very  pale-ferruginous;  the  two  middle  tail 
feathers  light  brown,  shafts  paler,  the  rest  have  the  outer  web  and  a  narrow  line  on 
the  inner  sides  of  the  shaft  brown,  pale  olivaceous  on  the  outer  edge,  the  remainder 
ferruginous  to  the  very  tip;  outer  web  of  exterior  feather  dull  brownish-yellow;  feet 
black;  bill  dark-brown  above  and  at  the  tip  below,  paler  towards  the  base. 

The  female  appears  to  have  no  brown  on  the  inner  web  of  the  quills  along  the 
ihaft,  or  else  it  is  confined  chiefly  to  the  outer  feathers. 

Length,  eight  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  four  and  twentv- 


id 

0 


132 


OKNITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Cwp  ono-hi'iiflrcdths;   tail,  four  and  ten  one-hundrcdths ;   tarsus,  eighty-five  one- 
liuiidredths. 

//„/;._  Kastem  North  America  to  the  Mi^isouri,  and  south  to  Eastern  Texas  (not 
yet  observed  further  west). 

This  species  is  a  rare  summer  inhabitant  of  New  England. 
It  arrives  from  tlic  South  about  the  [1 0th  of  May  in  the  lati- 
tude of  ^fassachusetts,  —  that  is,  so  lar  as  so  irregular  a 
visitor  may  be  said  to  arrive,  —  and  spreads  throughout 
thc«o  States.  It  is  less  rare  in  the  southern  districts  than 
in  the  middle,  and  liardly  pouctrates  as  far  north  as  the 
latitude  of  the  middle  of  Maine.  It  has  been  ascertained' 
to  breed  in  all  tliese  States ;  and  two  nests,  with  their  con- 
tents, are  before  me.  One  of  these  was  found  in  a  hollow 
tree  in  Plymoiith,  Mass.,  on  the  10th  of  June ;  the  other 
was  found  in  Middleton,  Mass.,  on  the  4th  of  June.  These 
nests  are  composed  of  straws,  leaves,  feathers,  and  the  cast- 
off"  skins  of  snakes ;  and  it  seems  a  distinguishing  character- 
istic of  t\j  nests  of  this  species  to  have  the  skins  of  one  or 
more  snakes  woven  into  the  other  materials.  The  first 
of  tliese  nests  had  five  eggs  ;  the  other,  three.  These  are  of 
a  beaiitiful  creamy-buff",  and  covered  with  irregular  scratches 
and  lines  of  diff"erent  shades  of  purple.  Wilson  says  of  these 
eggs,  "The  female  lays  four  eggs  of  a  dull  cream-color, 
thickly  scratched  with  purple  lines  of  various  tints,  as  if 
done  with  a  pen."  Dimensions  of  eggs  vary  from  .95  by  .78 
inches  to  1  by  .80  inch. 

As  this  species  is  quite  rare  in  these  States,  I  have  had 
Init  very  few  chances  for  observing  its  habits.  It  appears 
to  be  equally  courageous  and  quarrelsome  with  the  King- 
l)ird,  and  has  many  of  the  peculiarities  of  that  bird.  Its 
food  consists  of  insects,  which  it  captures  while  on  the  wing, 
after  the  manner  of  the  other  species.  Wlicn  the  young 
leave  the  nest,  they  feed  on  berries  and  caterpillars,  and  are 
fond  of  crickets  and  grasshoppers.  By  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember, the  whole  family  leave  for  the  South. 


THE  PEWEE. 


SAYORNIS,   HONAI'AKTB. 

Snyornu,  Bd.nai'AUTeV  Ateiiuo  Itiiliaiio  (1)554).  lb.,  Coiiiptes  Rcndus  (1854), 
Notes  Orn.     Dcluttre. 

Head  witli  a  blended  depressed  moderate  crest;  tarsus  decidedly  longer  tliiiii 
middle  toe,  which  is  scarcely  longei'  than  the  hind  toe;  bill  rather  narrow,  width  at 
base  about  halt'  the  culnicn;  tail  broad,  long,  slightly  forked,  ciiual  to  the  wings, 
which  are  moderately  pointed,  and  reach  to  the  middle  of  the  tail,  lirst  primary 
ihorter  than  the  sixth. 


SAYOENIS  FUSCUS.  —  BajVrf. 
The  Pewee;  Phebe-bird. 

Muic'icoim  fuica,  QmtWn.    Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1788)  931.    Aud.  Orn.  Uiog.,  II.  (1634) 
122;  V.  (lb3<J)  424.     lb..  Birds  Amer.,  I.  (1840)  22,». 
Tyrannuafuscus,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  312. 
Miudcapa  nurudola,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  II.  (1.810)  78;  pi.  xiii. 


Description. 

Sides  of  breast  and  upper  parts  dull  olivc-brown,  fading  slightly  toward  the  tail; 
top  and  sides  of  head  dark-brown ;  a  few  dull-white  feathers  on  the  eyelids ;  lower 
parts  didl  yellowish-white,  mixed  with  brown  on  the  chin,  and  in  some  individuals 
across  the  breast;  quills  brown,  the  outer  pi '•nary,  secondaries,  and  tertiiils  edged 
with  dull-white;  in  some  individuals  the  greater  coverts  faintly  edged  with  dull- 
white;  tail  brown,  outer  edge  of  lateral  feather  dull-white,  outer  edges  of  the  rest 
like  die  back;  tibiio  brown;  bill  and  feet  black;  bill  slender,  edges  nearly  straight; 
tail  rather  broad,  and  slightly  forked,  third  quill  longest,  second  and  fourth  nearly 
equal,  the  first  shorter  than  sixth. 

Length,  seven  inches;  wing,  three  and  forty-two  onc-hundredthsj  tail,  three  and 
thirty  one-hundredths. 

//((A.  —  Eastern  Xoith  America. 

In  autumn,  and  occasionally  in  early  spring,  the  colors  are  much  clearer  and 
brighter.  \v'hole  lower  parts  sometimes  bright  sulphur-yellow,  above  greenisli-olive, 
top  and  sides  of  the  hei.d  tinged  with  sooty;  in  the  young  of  the  year,  the  colors  are 
much  duller;  all  the  wing  coverts  broadly  tipped  with  light-ferruginous,  as  also  the 
extreme  ends  of  the  wings  and  tail  feathers;  the  brown  is  prevalent  on  the  whole 
throat  and  breast;  the  hind  part  of  the  back,  rump,  and  tail,  strongly  ferruginous. 

The  tail  of  tlii;i  species  is  quite  deeply  forked,  the  external  feather  being  from 
thirty-five  one-hundredths  to  forty  one-hundredths  of  an  inch  longer  than  the 
middle  one. 

This  well-known  bird  is  a  very  common  summer  inliabl 
tant  of  all  New  England.     It  arrives  from  the  South  often 
as  early  as  the  middle  of  March,  sometimes  before  the  last 
snowstorm  of   the   season.     As  soon   as  the  birds    have 
paired,  usually  by  the  last  of  April,  they  coinmence  build- 


K 


184 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


ing.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  under  a  bridge,  fiometimea 
under  an  cave,  or  ledge  of  rock,  sometimes  in  a  barn 
or  other  building.  It  is  constructed  of  fine  roots,  grasses, 
fuio  moss,  and  hairs,  which  are  plastered  together,  and 
to  the  object  the  nest  is  built  on,  by  pellets  of  mud :  it  is 
hollowed  about  an  inch  and  a  half,  and  lined  with  soft 
grasses,  wool,  and  feathers.  The  eggs  are  usually  five  in 
number :  their  color  is  white,  with  a  very  delicate  cream  tint. 
There  are  usually  in  each  litter  one  or  two  eggs  with  a  few 
spots  thinly  scattered  over  the  larger  end :  these  spots  are 
of  a  reddish-brown.  The  period  of  incubation  is  thirteen 
days,  and  two  broods  are  often  reared  in  the  season  in  this 
latitude.  The  length  of  eggs  varies  from  .72  to  .78  inch ; 
breadth,  from  .54  to  .56  inch. 

The  familiar  cheerful  habits  of  this  species,  and  the  fact 
that  it  is  one  of  the  first  birds  to  remind  us  of  the  return 
of  spring,  have  made  it  a  universal  favorite ;  and  many 
residents  in  the  country  are  so  attached  to  it,  that  they 
protect  it,  and  encourage  its  visits,  and  even  provide 
quarters  for  the  establishment  of  its  nest.  It  seems  to  pre- 
fer the  neighborhood  of  a  pond  or  stream  of  water  for  its 
home,  where,  perching  on  the  branch  of  an  overhanging 
tree,  or  on  the  railing  of  a  bridge,  or  darting  about  in  dif- 
ferent directions,  it  busies  itself  through  the  day  in  catching 
the  insects  that  swarm  in  myriads  in  such  localities.  When 
perching,  it  frequently  flirts  its  tail,  and  erects  the  feathers 
of  its  head,  uttering  the  notes  phebS-phelie  in  a  soft 
plaintive  key.  Sometimes,  this  note  is  more  lively,  resem- 
bling the  word  peweet,  peweet,  uttered  in  a  quick,  cheerful 
manner.  The  beautiful  description  of  the  habits  of  this 
bird,  given  by  Audubon,  is  certainly  one  of  the  best  efforts 
of  that  naturalist ;  and  I  would  advise  all  who  are  interested 
in  the  history  of  the  bird  to  read  it. 

After  the  young  have  left  the  nest,  the  parents  remain 
together  in  the  neighborhood  of  their  home  until  their 
departure,  about  the  middle  of  October.     At  this  time,  they 


THE  OLIVE-SIDED   FLYCATCIIKIl. 


1:35 


arc  a  little  more  shy  than  they  were  during  the  season 
of  incubation,  and  their  note  is  seldom  heard ;  and,  wlieu  it 
is,  it  consists  of  a  melancholy  strain,  quite  different  from 
that  uttered  in  tlie  spring  and  early  summer. 


CONTOl'US,  Cauams. 

Ctintop^is,  Cabanis,  Journal  fiir  Ornithologie,  III.  (Nov.,  1855)  479.  (Tyio 
ifutcicapa  virent,  L.) 

Taroiis  vcrj-  short,  but  stout,  less  than  the  middle  toe,  and  scarcely  lonf^er  than 
the  hinder^  bill  quite  broad  at  the  base,  wider  than  half  the  cuhncn;  tail  mod- 
erately forked,  much  shorter  than  the  wings  (rather  more  than  three-fourths):  wingfl 
very  long  and  much  pointed,  reaching  beyond  the  middle  of  the  fail,  the  lirst 
primary  about  equal  to  the  fourth;  all  the  primaries  slender  and  rather  acute,  but 
not  attenuated;  head  moderately  crested ;  color,  olive  above,  pale-yellowish  beneath, 
with  a  darker  patch  on  Uie  sides  of  the  breast;  under  tail  coverts  streaked. 


CONTOPUS  BOBEALIS.— JSniVd. 

The  Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

Tyrannm  borealis,  Sw.  and  Rich.  F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1831)  141;  plate. 
Mmci'-'-^n  Coojien,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  282.     Aud.  Orn.  I3iog.,  II.  (1834) 
422;  V.  (1839)422. 

Tyrannus  Coi^eii,  Bonaparte.     List  (1838).    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  298. 
Mtucicnjja  irm-nata,  Nuttall.    Man.  I.  (1832)  282. 

Disscnii'TiON. 

Wings  long,  much  pointed,  the  second  quill  longest,  the  first  longer  than  the 
third;  tail  deeply  forked;  tarsi  short;  the  upper  parts  ashy-brown,  showing  darker 
brown  centres  of  the  feathers,  this  is  eminently  the  case  on  the  top  of  tlie  head ; 
the  sides  of  the  head  and  neck,  of  the  breast  and  body  resembling  the  back,  but 
with  the  edges  of  the  feathers  tinged  with  gray,  leaving  a  darker  central  streak;  the 
chin,  throat,  narrow  line  down  the  middle  of  the  breast  and  body,  abdomen,  and 
lower  tail  coverts  white,  or  sometimes  with  a  faint  tinge  of  yellow;  the  lower 
tail  coverts  somewhat  streaked  with  brown  in  the  centre;  on  each  side  of  the  rum]i, 
generally  concealed  by  the  wings,  is  an  elongated  bunch  of  white  silky  feathers; 
the  wings  and  tail  very  dark  brown,  the  former  with  the  edges  of  the  secondaries 
and  tertials  edged  with  dull-white;  the  lower  wing  coverts  and  axillarics  grayish- 
brown;  the  tips  of  the  primaries  and  tail  feathers  rather  paler;  feet  and  upper 
mandible  black,  lower  mandible  brown;  the  young  of  the  year  similar,  but  the 
color  duller;   feet  light-brown. 

Length,  seven  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches  ;  wing,  four  and  thirty-three  one- 
hundredths;  tail,  three  and  thirty  one-hundredths;  tarsus,  sixty  one-hundred'  .s. 

//oi.  — Rare  on  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts  of  the  Uni'-.J  State*.  Not 
observed  in  the  interior,  except  to  the  north.    Found  in  Greenland.    (Reinhardt.) 


Tliis  bird  is  a  not 
New  England. 


'  >ry  commcn  summer  inhabitant  of 
•    -s  from  the  South  about  the  20th 


:3 

■■3 

8 


186 


OKNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOCY. 


of  May,  and  is  most  rrcquontly  observed  in  low  growths  of 
oak  and  cliestnut:  it  Kcems  always  busily  employed  in 
catching  winged  insects,  of  which  its  food  almost  entirely 
consists;  these  it  seizes  in  the  manner  of  tho  King-bird, 
which  bird  it  resembles  in  both  its  habits  and  disposition 
I  have  sometimes  seen  t./o  birds  of  this  species  engaged  in 
a  light,  which,  for  ;pno'^s,  I  have  hardly  seen  surpassed. 
They  would  rush  h  •  Uer  »  t  mid-air,  snapping  their  bills, 
beating  with  their  wii/^K,,  and  -'Z.-king  each  other,  until  they 
both  descended  to  tho  trees  benuuth,  actually  exhausted  with 
their  exertions. 

Mr.  Vorrill  says  that  it  breeds  quite  common  near  the 
Umbagog  Lakes,  Me. ;  but  I  have  never  been  able  to  find  its 
nest  there  or  elsewhere,  although  I  have  looked  for  it  with 
great  care. 

It  has  been  found  breeding  in  Vermont ;  and  Dr.  Tliorap- 
son,  in  his  work  on  tho  birds  of  that  State,  gives  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  nest  and  eggs.  Three  nests  have  been  found  in 
Massachusetts  within  two  years;  two  in  West  Roxbury,  and 
one  in  Dorchester.  These  were  all  built  in  forked  twigs 
of  apple-trees,  in  old  neglected  orchards,  facing  to  the 
southward,  and  were  constructed  of  the  same  material  that 
the  King-bird  uses  in  its  nest.  In  fact,  they  were  almost 
exactly  like  tho  King-bird's  nest,  but  were  a  little  smaller. 

Two  of  the  nests  had  three  eggs  eacli,  and  tho  other  had 
but  two.  They  were  all  found  in  the  first  week  in  June, 
and  the  eggs  were  freshly  laid :  probably,  if  they  had  been 
unmolested,  more  eggs  would  have  been  deposited.  Three 
of  these  eggs  are  in  my  cabinet.  To  compare  them  with 
the  eggs  of  any  other  bird,  I  should  say  they  seem  like 
exceedingly  large  Wood  Pewee's  :  for  they  are  almost  exactly 
like  thena  in  shape,  color,  and  markings;  being  of  a  creamy- 
white,  witli  large  blotches  and  spatters  of  lilac,  lavender, 
and  brownish-red.  Their  dimensions  are  .88  by  .68 ;  .88 
by  .60 ;  .86  by  .68  inch. 

Mr.   Nuttall,  who  found   a  nest  in   Cambridge,  Mass., 


THR  WOOD   PEWEE. 


137 


describes  it  as  follows :  "  It  was  built  in  tlip  horizontal 
branch  of  a  tall  red  cedar,  forty  or  fifty  feet  from  tlie 
ground.  It  was  formed  much  in  tlie  manner  of  the  King- 
bird's, externally  made  of  interlaced  dead  twigs  of  the 
cedar  ;  internally,  of  the  wire  stolons  of  the  common  Lirhm 
or  Unnea.  It  contained  three  young,  and  had  had  probably 
four  eggs.  The  eggs  had  been  hatched  about  the  20th  of 
June,  so  that  the  pair  had  arrived  in  this  vicinity  about  the 
close  of  May."  He  also  describes  the  bird's  nolo  as 
follows :  "  Tiie  female  had  a  whistling,  oft-repeated,  whin- 
ing call  of 'jt)«  'pti,  then  varied  to  '^w  'pip,  and  'pip  'jyii,  also 
at  times  'p7p  'pip  'pii,  'jnp  ^pip  'pip,  'pii  'pu  ^pip,  or  'tu  'tti 
'tu,  and  'tti  'tu.  The  male,  besides  this  note,  had,  at  long 
intervals,  a  call  of  seh'  phebee  or  'h'  phebcd,  almost  exactly 
in  the  tone  of  the  circular  tin  whistle  or  bird-call." 

By  the  second  week  in  September,  none  of  these  birds 
are  to  be  seen ;  and,  probably  before  that  time,  they  have 
all  departed  on  their  migrations. 

CONTOPUS  VIRENS.  —  Cabanit. 
The  Wood  Pewee. 
Muicicapa  virem,  Linnoeus.    Syst  Xat.,  I.  (1766)  327.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1S8!J) 
285.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  93;  V.  (1839)  425. 
Miucicapa  rapnx,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  II.  (1810)  81. 
Tyrannus  virens,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  816. 

Description. 

The  second  quill  longest,  the  third  a  little  shorter,  the  first  shorter  than  the 
fourth,  the  latter  nearly  forty  one-hundredths  longer  than  the  fifth ;  the  primaries 
more  than  an  incli  longer  than  the  secondaries ;  the  upper  parts,  sides  of  the  head, 
neck,  and  breast,  dark  olivaceous-brown,  the  latter  ratlier  paler,  the  head  darker;  a 
narrow  white  ring  round  the  eye;  the  lower  parts  pale-yellowish,  deepest  on  the 
abdomen;  across  the  breast  tinged  with  ash;  this  pale  ash  sometimes  occupies 
the  whole  of  the  breast,  and  even  occasionally  extends  up  to  the  chin;  it  is  also 
sometimes  glossed  witli  olivaceous ;  the  wings  and  tail  dark-brown,  generally  deeper 
than  in  S.  fuscua;  two  narrow  bands  across  the  wing,  the  outer  edge  of  first 
primary  and  of  the  secondaries  and  tertials  dull-white;  the  edges  of  the  tail  feathers 
like  the  back,  the  outer  one  scarcely  lighter;  upper  mandible  black,  the  lower  yel- 
low, but  brown  at  the  tip. 

Length,  six  and  fifteen  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  fifty  one-hun- 
dredths; tail,  three  and  five  oiiu-humlrp.Jths- 

Hub.  —  r.astern  Kortli  America  to  the  borders  of  the  high  central  plains,  south  to 
New  Granada. 


i3 


«« 


8 


iv 


108 


OUNITUOLUUY   AND   OI)LO(;V. 


This  l)ir(l  is  a  common  summer  iiiliuMtant  of  Ni!W  Eiig- 
laud,  making  its  iipiioiininco  from  tlio  South  from  al)out  tho 
lUtli   to  tho  20tU  of  May.     It  prefers   tho  solitudos   of 


the  deep  forests  to  the  more  open  districts,  and  is  a  more 
retiring  species  than  any  of  its  coxisins  in  those  States. 
About  tho  last  of  May,  the  birds,  having  chosen  their  mates, 
commence  building.  Tlie  nest  is  placed  usually  on  the 
horizontal  limb  of  a  tree,  generally  at  a  height  of  about 
twenty  foot  from  the  ground  :  it  is  composed  of  pine  loaves 
and  cottony  substances,  and  covered  with  lichens  and 
mosses,  which  are  fixed  on  after  tho  manner  of  tho  Hum- 
ming-bird. I  think  Nuttall's  description  of  the  nest  the 
best  that  I  have  seen :  it  is  as  follows :  — 

"  The  nest  is  extremely  neat  and  curious,  almost  universally 
saddled  upon  an  old  moss-grown  and  decayed  limb  in  a  horizontal 
position,  and  is  so  remarkably  shallow,  and  incorporated  upon  the 
'ranch,  as  to  be  easily  overlooked.  The  body  of  the  fabric  con- 
sists of  wiry  glass  and  root  fibres,  often  blended  with  small  branch- 
ing lichens,  held  together  with  cobwebs  and  caterpillars'  silk, 
moistened  with  saliva;  externally,  it  is  so  coated  over  with  bluish, 
crustaceous  lichens  as  to  be  hardly  discernible  from  the  moss 
upon  the  tree.  It  is  lined  with  finer  root-fibres,  or  slender  grass- 
stalks." 


THE   WOOD    PEWEE. 


100 


Tho  eggs  arc  generally  four  in  number.  Tliej  are  very 
beautiful,  being  of  a  delieate  cn.-iuu-colur,  with  blotches 
ana  spots  of  lilac  and  brown  around  tho  larger  end  :  thero 
aro  two  shades  of  lilac,  —  one  ol)8curo,  and  the  other 
decided,  even  a  lavender.  Tho  eggs  are  generally  oval  in 
shape,  and  but  little  larger  at  one  end  than  at  the  other. 
Length  from  .12  to  .78  inch ;  breadth  from  JA  to  .ol)  inch. 
But  one  brood  is  reared  iu  the  Boason  in  New  England. 
The  period  of  incubation  is  fourteen  days. 

The  habits  of  this  species  arc  not  generally  so  well  known 
as  thosu  of  the  Phebe,  which  bird  it  resembles  in  many 
respects.  Although  it  is  usually  found  in  the  wildest  and 
most  thickly  wooded  localities,  it  sometimes  frequents  tho 
orchards  and  open  pastures ;  and  I  have  occasionally  seen 
individuals  on  the  trees  on  Boston  Common,  busily  engaged 
iu  hunting  insects,  and  apparently  having  families  in  tho 
neighborhood.  The  note  is  diflerent  from  that  of  the  Phebe, 
behig  more  plaintive  and  di-awling,  sounding  like  the  syl- 
lables ^'' pe-iveeee,'^  ^^ pe-weSee.''  When  tho  nest  is  ap- 
proached, both  tho  parents  fly  to  meet  the  intruder, 
hovering  over  his  head,  snapping  their  bills,  and  uttering 
short  notes  of  complaint  like  chip-pee ,  pe-peu :  they  often 
alight  on  a  twig  near  him,  and  flirt  their  tails  and  quiver 
their  wings  iu  a  nervous,  irritable  manner.  After  tho 
young  have  left  tho  nest,  the  old  birds  separate;  and,  though 
still  frequenting  the  same  localities  they  inhabited  during 
the  season  of  incubation,  they  are  seldom  seen  together, 
each  seeming  to  avoid  the  other.  They  are  now  generally 
silent,  and,  when  approached,  are  quite  shy.  They  leave 
the  New-England  States  by  the  10th  of  September,  and 
probably  winter  in  South  America. 


iri 


■;^ 


8 


EMPIDONAX,  Cabanis. 


Empuhmx,  Cabasis,  Journal  fiir  Omithologie,  III.  (Nov.,  1855)  480  (typ* 

Tirannula  pus'dln, 

Tyrannula  of  most  authors. 


140 


OUNITIIOLOOY    ANU  OOl.otiV. 


Tar»U8  Un>,'ltiene(l,  ronsidiTnlily  IniifjiT  tlmn  llic  iiiMdIo  foe,  wliirli  i«  docldoitW 
Idiitfvr  timii  lliv  hind  toe;  Ml  variulili';  liid  vi-ry  uliglitly  furkvd,  wen,  or  nuiiidrd, 
n  lillli'  pliorU'i-  uiily  llnui  tliu  wiiik^,  which  ur«  ((iimidurubly  nuiiidud,  tliu  lirHt  pri- 
iiiiiry  iiiiah  HhurttT  thuii  the  I'uurth;  iicud  inuduruli'ly  crtiated;  cidur  uIivucimiuh 
uhuvc,  yc'lluwinh  bi'uuatli;  thruat  (,'euurull/  i;ruy. 


EMPIDONAX  TEAILLII.  —  liairJ. 

The  Traill's  Flycatcher. 

Mmdcnpn  tr'tiltii,  Audiiboii.     On.  Uioj?.,  I.  (1^32)  236;  V.  (1830)  426. 
Tjfrannu*  tmillU,  N'uttuU.    Muii.,  I.  (2d  rd.,  1840)  3:23. 

DehcrU'TIon. 

Third  quill  ioiinest,  second  (cnrcely  Hliorter  than  fourth,  flrgf  Hhor'ar  ♦han  liflii, 
about  thirty-live  om;-hiiudrudlliH  HJiorttT  lluiii  tlio  l(iii(,'e«ti  priiuarii!!'  uboiil  sovciily 
live  oni'-liundiidllis  of  an  incli  lontjjr  tlmn  Hoconduriea ;  tail  evi'ii;  uppor  parts  (.'ark 
olive  Kr*^^*^"!  liKlitcr  under  the  wings,  and  duller  and  more  tinyed  with  ash  on  nupe 
and  sides  of  the  mik;  centre  of  the  crown  feathers  brown;  a  |iale  yellowiali-wh.te 
riiif;  (in  Honie  t>peeinien»  uUogether  white)  round  the  eye;  loral  feathers  niixi.il 
witli  white;  chin  aii<i  throat  white;  the  breast  and  sides  of  throat  li^ht-ash  tiiip'd 
with  olive,  its  intensity  varying  in  iiidividuals,  the  former  sometimes  faintly 
tinged  with  olive;  sides  of  the  breast  inudi  like  the  back;  middle  of  the  billy  nearly 
white;  sides  of  the  belly,  abdomen,  and  the  lower  tail  coverts  sulphur-yellow;  the 
quills  and  tail  teuthers  dark-brown,  as  dark  (if  not  more  so)  as  these  parts  in 
('.  vimis;  two  olivaceous  yellow-white  bands  on  the  wing,  formed  by  the  tips  of  the 
first  and  second  coverts,  succeeded  by  a  brown  one,  the  edge  of  the  first  primary 
and  of  secondaries  and  tertials  a  little  lighter  shade  of  the  same;  the  outer  edge  of 
the  tail  feathers  like  the  back,  that  of  the  lateral  one  rather  lighter;  bill  above  dark- 
broivn,  dull-brownish  beneath. 

Length,  nearly  six  inches;  wing,  two  and  ninety  one-buudredths ;  tail,  two  and 
sixty  one-hundrcdths. 

JJab.  —  Eastern  United  States,  and  south  to  Mexico. 

This  bird  is  occasionally  found  as  a  spring  and  autumn 
visitor  in  New  England,  arriving  about  the  loth  or  20th  of 
May.  In  its  habits,  it  resembles  the  Least  Flycatcher  (^U. 
minimus},  as  it  docs  also  in  its  plumage:  in  fact,  these  two 
birds  and  the  Green-crested  Flycatcher  have  been  so  much 
mistaken  for  each  other  by  different  naturalists,  the  confu- 
sion in  whose  descriptions  is  so  great,  that  it  requires  a  very 
careful  examination  to  identify  either  of  these  birds  per- 
fectly and  accurately.  I  have  had  no  opi)ortunitics  for 
observing  the  habits  of  the  bird  now  before  us,  and  can  add 
nothing  to  its  history.     Thompson,  in  his  "  Vermont  Birds," 


THK   LEAST   FLYrATCIIKR. 


in 


gives  it  ns  hrooJiiig  in  that  Stato  ;  aiul  I  liuvo  no  douht  it 
occasionully  paHHos  tho  snnimor  in  cacli  of  tlio  Ncw-EnfrlanJ 
States.  I  had  a  nost  and  four  ojrps  hronght  mo  in  June, 
18t)-4,  found  in  Eastern  Massaclnisotts,  that  \v(M'0  almost 
exactly  like  tlioso  of  -ft",  minimus;  but  tho  Ijird  hrou^lit 
witli  tlio  nest  was  unquestionably  of  this  species  :  whether 
or  not  tho  two  l)elonged  together  I  caiuiot  say.  l)iii  think 
that  they  prol)ably  did.  Tho  person  who  collected  them 
informed  me  that  tho  nost  was  found  in  an  applo-treo  in  an 
old  orchard  :  it  was  built  in  a  small  ibrk  about  twenty  feet 
from  tho  ground.  Tho  bird  attacked  tho  person  who  found 
it,  courageously  flying  in  his  face,  and  snapping  its  bill 
with  anger,  and  uttering  a  querulous  twitter  like  that  of  the 
Phebo.  Tho  eggs  woro  nearly  hatched ;  and,  as  they  wer<! 
found  on  the  20th  of  June,  they  must  have  been  laid  by 
the  lOtli  of  that  month. 

Two  eggs  in  my  cabinet,  from  near  Quebec,  Lower  Can- 
ada, collected  by  William  Coupor,  Esq.,  who  informs  me 
this  species  is  occasionally  met  with  there,  are  of  a  creamy- 
whito  color,  like  that  of  tho  eggs  of  A\  minirmia  ;  each  egg 
having  a  very  few  pale  reddish-brown  dots.  The  form  of 
the  eggs  is  more  elongated  than  that  of  the  eggs  of  minimus^ 
the  dimensions  being  .77  by  .53  inch,  and  .76  by  .55  inch. 

EMPIDONAX  MINIMUS.  —  Baird. 

The  Least  Flycatcher;  Chebeo. 

Tyrannula  minima,  William  M.  and  S.  F.  Baird.  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  I.  (July,  1843) 
284.  lb.,  Sillim.  Am.  Jour.  Sc.  (July,  1844).  And.,  Birds  Amer.  VII.  (1844)  343, 
pi.  401. 

Descrtption. 

Second  quill  longest,  third  and  fourth  but  little  shorter,  fifth  a  little  less,  first 
intermediate  between  fifth  and  sixth;  tail  even;  above  olive-brown,  darker  on  the 
head,  becoming  pnler  on  "he  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts;  the  middle  of  the  back 
most  strongly  olivaceous,  he  nape  (in  some  individuals)  and  sides  of  the  head 
tinged  with  ash;  a  ring  round  the  eye,  and  some  of  the  loral  feathers  white,  the  chin 
and  throat  white ;  the  sides  of  the  throat  and  across  the  breast  dull-ash,  the  color  on 
the  latter  sometimes  nearly  obs.  lote;  sides  of  the  breast  similar  to  the  back,  but  of  a 
lighter  tint;  middle  of  the  belly  very  pale  yellowish-white,  turning  to  pale  sulphur- 
yellow  on  the  sides  of  the  belly,  abdomen,  and  lower  tail  coverts;  wings  brown 


H 


s 


142 


ORNITIIOLOGT   AND   OOLO(JT. 


two  narrow  wliite  bands  on  wing,  formed  by  the  tips  of  the  first  and  second  I'ov- 
erts,  succeeded  by  one  of  brown;  the  edge  of  tlie  first  [irimary,  and  of  the  second- 
aries and  tcrtials,  white;  tail  rn'her  h'gbter  brown,  edged  externally  like  the  back; 
feathers  narrow,  not  acuminate,  with  the  ends  rather  blunt.  In  autumn,  the  white 
parts  are  strongly  tinged  with  j'ellow. 

Length,  about  five  inches;  wing,  two  and  sixtj'-five  one-hundredths ;  tail,  two 
and  fifty  one-hundrodths. 

//aA.  — Kastem  United  States  to  Missouri  plains. 


Tnis  species  orrives  from  the  Soutli  usually  about  the 
last  week  in  April.  Tlie  birds  commence  building  about 
tlie  20th  or  25th  of  May.  The  nest  is  placed  usually  in 
a  small  fork  of  a  limb  of  an  apple-tree,  in  the  orchard,  and 
often  quite  near  the  house :  it  is  composed  of  oft,  fine  grass, 
cobwebs,  twine,  cotton,  —  in  fact,  almost  any  thing  that  will 
help  to  make  a  smooth,  compact  fabric :  the  interior  is  lined 
with  soft  grass,  bristles,  fine  roots,  feathers,  and  wool.  The 
eggs  are  visually  four  in  number,  sometimes  three,  some- 
times five  :  they  are  of  a  beautiful  creamy-white  color ;  and 
their  form  is  nearly  pyriform,  being  abruptly  tapered  to  the 
small  end.  Dimensions  of  a  nest  complement  of  four  eggs, 
taken  at  random  from  a  large  number,  collected  in  different 
parts  of  New  England :  .63  by  .50  inch,  .64  by  .51  inch, 
.61  by  .53  inch,  .60  by  .53  inch.  This  species  often  breeds 
twice  in  the  season  in  New  England.  The  period  of  incuba- 
tion is  thirteen  days. 

This  bird,  being  very  abundantly  distributed  as  a  summer 
resident  throughout  New  England,  is  well  known,  and  its 
habits  are  familiar  to  all.  It  prefers  the  neighborhood  of 
civilization,  and  is  most  frequently  found  in  orchards  and 
gardens.  A  pair  once  built  in  an  apple-tree,  immediately 
beneath  my  chamber  window,  —  so  near  that  I  could  touch 
tiie  nest  with  a  rod  four  feet  in  length.  The  nest  was  com- 
menced on  the  5th  of  June,  and  was  finished  by  the  10th ; 
both  birds  working  in  its  construction.  The  female  laid 
four  eggs  in  three  days'  time,  and  commenced  sitting  when 
the  fourth  was  laid.  Both  birds  incubated,  and  the  male 
remained  on  the  nest  nearly  as  long  as  his  mate.    When  he 


THE  SMALL  GREBN-CRESTED   FLYCATCHER. 


143 


was  off  the  nest,  he  was  very  pugnacious ;  attacking  every 
bird  that  came  near,  and  even  forcing  a  robin  to  retreat,  so 
fierce  was  the  onslaught  he  made  on  it.  He  always,  in 
attacking  other  birds,  uttered  his  shrill  cry,  chebeo,  chehec, 
and  snapped  his  bill  loudly  and  fiercely.  When  perching, 
he  often  flirted  his  tail  in  the  manner  of  the  Phebe ;  and, 
every  few  seconds,  he  emitted  his  note,  —  chehec,  chehec, 
chcbec;  varied  sometimes  into  chehec-trree-treo,  chebe c-treee- 
cheu. 

The  young  were  all  hatched  by  the  fourteenth  day,  and 
left  the  nest  within  a  month  from  their  birth.  They  were  fed 
abundantly,  wlnle  on  the  nest,  by  the  parents,  with  insects, 
whie'ii  they  caught  and  crushed  between  their  bills:  they 
were  fed  a  few  days  after  they  left  the  nest,  and  then  turned 
adrifi ;  the  parents  having  begun  another  nest  on  the  same 
tree. 

The  Least  Flycatcher  has  often  been  called  the  Small 
Green-crested  or  Acadican  Flycatcher.  I  would  caution 
tliose  who  are  interested  in  the  history  of  these  birds  to 
observe  great  care,  and  be  cei'tain  of  their  identity  before 


naming  them. 


By  the  second  week  in  September,  it  leaves  on  its  south- 


ern migration. 


EMPIDONAX  ACADICUS.— i?a!Vrf. 


The  Small  Green-crested  Flycatcher. 

f  Mvscicapa  acadkn,  Gmclin.    Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1788)  947.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II. 
(1834)  256;  V.  (1639)  429.     Nutt.  Man.,  L  (1832)  208. 
Muscicapa  querula,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  II.  (1810)  77. 
Tyrannus  acadica,  "^luttall.    Man.  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  320. 

Description. 
The  second  and  tliird  quills  are  longest,  and  about  equal;  the  fourth  a  little 
shorter,  the  first  about  equal  to  the  iiftli,  and  about  thirty-tive  one-hundrcdths  less 
than  the  longest;  tail  even;  the  upper  parts,  with  sides  of  the  head  and  neck,  olive- 
green,  the  crown  very  little  if  any  darker;  a  yellowish-white  ring  round  tlie  eye; 
the  sides  of  the  body  under  the  wings  like  the  back,  but  fainter  olive,  a  tinge  of  the 
same  across  the  breast ;  the  chin,  throat,  and  middle  of  the  belly  white;  the  abdo- 
men, lower  tail  and  wing  coverts,  and  sides  of  the  body  not  covered  by  the  wing?, 
pale  greenish-yellow;  edges  of  the  firbt  primary,  secondaries,  and  tertials  margined 


^a 


"n^ 


144 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


with  dull  yclIowi.«Ii-wliite,  most  broniUy  on  the  latter;  two  transverse  bands  of  pale- 
yellowish  across  the  wings,  formed  by  the  tips  of  the  secondary  and  primary  coverts, 
succeeded  by  a  brown  one;  tail  light-brown,  margined  externally  like  the  back; 
upper  mandible  light-brown  above,  palo-yellow  beneath.  In  autumn,  the  lower 
parts  are  more  j-ellow. 

Length,  five  and  sixty-live  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three;  tail,  two  and 
seventy-five  oue-hundredths  inches. 

JIab.  —  Kastern  United  States  to  the  Mississippi. 

This  bird  is  a  rare  suminer  inhabitant  of  any  of  the  New- 
England  States,  seldom  coming  so  far  north.  I  have  had 
no  opportunities  of  observing  its  habits,  and  can  give  no 
description  from  my  own  observation.  Mr.  Allen  says  that 
it  breeds  iti  swamps  and  low  moist  thickets,  which  are  its 
exclusive  haimts. 

Girand,  ia  his  "  Bii-ds  of  Long  Island,"  says,  "  In  habits, 
it  is  solitary ;  generally  seen  on  the  lower  branches  of  the 
largest  trees  ;  utters  a  quick,  sharp  note  ;  arrives  among  us 
in  the  latter  part  of  May,  and  retires  southward  early  in 
September." 

I  have  no  nest,  but  understand  that  it  resembles  that  of 
the  Least  Flycatcher.  Five  eggs  befoi'e  me,  furnished  by 
J.  P.  Norris,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  arc  of  a  pale  creamy- 
white  color,  with  a  few  thin  spots  of  reddish-brown  scattered 
over  their  larger  end.  They  vary  in  size  from  .78  inch  in 
length  by  about  .56  inch  in  breadth,  to  .72  inch  in  length 
by  .55  inch  in  breadth.  The  form  is  like  that  of  E.  trailUi ; 
but  the  spots  are  larger  and  more  numerous. 


OSCINES.      SINGING   BIRDS. 


145 


SUB-OTIDER  OSCINES.    Sinoino  Birds. 

Toes,  three  anterior,  one  behind,  nil  at  the  same  level,  and  none  versatile,  the 
outer  anterior  never  entirely  free  to  the  base;  tail  feathers  twelve;  primaries,  either 
nine  only,  or  else  the  first  is  spurious  or  nuioh  shorter  than  the  second,  makini?  the 
tenth;  tuil  feathers  usually  twelve;  tarsi  feathered  to  the  knee,  the  jdates  on  the 
anterior  face  either  fused  into  one  or  with  distinct  divisions,  the  posterior  portion  of 
the  sides  covered  by  one  continuous  plate  on  either  side,  meeting  in  a  sharp  edi^. 
behind,  or  with  only  a  few  divisions  inferiorly.  Occasionally,  the  hinder  side  luii 
transverse  plates,  corresponding  in  number  to  the  anterior;  but  there  arc  then  usually 
rone  on  the  sides.  Larynx  provided  with  a  peculiar  muscnlar  apparatus  for  singing, 
composed  of  tive  pairs  of  muscles. 


Family  TURDIDiE.     The  Tiikusuks. 


The  following  characteristics  of  this  family  and  its  genera,  represented  in  Now 
England,  are  given  by  Professor  .Spencer  F.  Raird,  in  his  recent  "Review  of  the 
Birds  of  North  America,"  published  in  the  Smithsonian  Miscellaneous  Collec- 
tions :  — 

"Primaries  fen,  the  first  of  which  is  either  spurious  or  much  shorter  than  the 
second.  The  bill  is  elongated  and  subulate,  moderately  slender,  and  usually  notchecl 
at  tip;  nostrils  uncovered:  the  culmtn  moderately  curved  from  the  base,  and  the 
mouth  well  provided  with  bristles,  except  in  a  few  cases.  Usually,  the  scutellie 
covering  the  front  and  sides  of  the  tarsus  are  fused  into  one  continuous  plate,  or  else 
scarcely  appreciable,  except  on  the  inner  edge  only;  in  the  Mocking  Thrushes,  they 
are,  however,  distinctly  marked.  The  lateral  toi  s  are  nearly  equal,  the  outer  rather 
the  longer."  These  gencr.il  characteristics  apply  also  to  the  Snxicolhlce,  more  fully 
spoken  of  in  a  succeeding  page. 

The  peculiar  characteristics  of  the  family  Tiirdidm  are:  "Wings  moderate,  more 
rounded,  not  reaching  beyond  middle  of  the  often  rounded  tail,  and  not  more  (ban 
one  and  a  third  the  latter,  usually  more  nearly  equal.  Spurious  primary  sometimes 
half  the  length  of  sect  nd  quill,  the  second  quill  shorter  than  the  fourth.  In  the 
closed  wing,  the  outer  secondary  reaches  three-fourths  or  more  the  length  of  longest 
primar}'." 

Professor  Baird  divides  this  family  into  the  sub-families  Turdinm,  which  have 
"tarsi  covered  anteriorly  with  a  continuous  plate;"  and  the  il/imincB,  whose  tarsi 
arc  scutellate  anteriorly;  scutellro  sever.. 


■;3 

In 

8 

Siih-Famihj  TimniNiE. 

Nostrils  oval ;  bristles  along  the  base  of  the  bill  from  gape  to  nostrils,  those  ot 
rictus  not  reaching  beyond  nostrils;  the  loral  feathers  with  bristly  points;  second 
quiH  longer  than  sixth;  outer  lateral  toes  longer;  wings  long. 

10 


146 


ORMTHOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


TUUDUS,  LiNNia-s. 

T>iri!ii9.  I,i.NN.F.rs,  Syst.  Nit.  (173."0.  (Type  T.  risdrorus.  fide  C.  R.  Gray.) 
Hill  rather  stout;  commi.'su.''!  strniRlit  to  near  the  tip,  which  is  fjuite  abruptly 
(Iccurvcd,  uii'l  UFually  diiitiiu'tly  notcliod;  culmen  gently  convex  tVom  base;  bill 
shorter  th.nn  the  hend,  both  outlines  curved;  tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  lateral 
toes  nearly  ecpml,  outer  longer;  wings  much  longer  than  the  tail,  pointed;  the  fii-st 
quill  spurious  and  very  small,  not  one-fourth  the  length  of  longest;  tail  short,  nearly 
oven,  or  slightly  cmarginate. 


TUEDUS   MUSTELINDS.  —  f;OTf/;». 
The  Song  Thrush ;  Wood  Thrush. 

Timhi!  7mislelh>us,  Gmclin.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  817.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  84R 
And.  Orn.  liiog  .  I.  (18.32)  372;  V.  (1839)  446. 

Tiirdiis  meloi/iis,  Wi\?on.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  (1808)  35,  pi   ii. 

Description. 

Above,  clear  cinnanion-brown,  on  the  top  of  the  head  becoming  more  rufous,  on 
the  rump  and  tail  olivaceous;  the  under  parts  are  clear-white,  sometimes  tinged  with 
buff  on  the  breast  or  anteriorly,  and  thickly  marked  beneath,  except  on  the  chin 
and  tliroat,  and  about  the  vent  and  tail  coverts,  with  sub-triangular,  sharply  defined 
spots  of  blackish;  the  sides  of  the  head  are  dark-brown,  streaked  with  wliitc,  and 
there  is  also  a  maxillary  series  of  streaks  on  each  side  of  the  throat,  the  central  por- 
tion of  which  sometimes  has  indications  of  small  spots. 

Length,  eight  and  ten-bundredths  inches:  wing,  four  and  twenty-five  one-hun- 
drcdths;  tail,  three  and  five  one-hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and  twenty-six  one- 
lumdrertths. 

IMi.  —  Eastern  United  States  to  ^lissouri  River,  south  to  Guatemala. 

THIS  beautiful  songster  is  a  pretty  common  summer 
inhabitant  of  Massachusetts,  Coi:'  :ivat,  and  Rhode 
Island.  In  the  other  New-England  Sta;  ^^  '  is  rarely  seen  ; 
and,  when  we  hear  of  a  Song  Thrush  occurring  there,  refer- 
once  is  probably  made  either  to  tho  Hermit  or  Olive-backed 
Tlirush.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  tlie  10th  of  May, 
both  sexes  making  their  appearance  at  about  the  same  time. 
They  soon  commence  pairing,  and  frequent  the  moist  thick- 
ets and  thickly  wooded  glens,  where  their  amours  are  con 
ducted  in  privacy  and  peace. 

At  this  season,  tlie  beautiful  song  of  the  male  is  heard  at 
early  dawn  and  early  twiliglit:  it  seldom  sings  in  the  middle 
of  the  day,  unless  tlic  weather  is  dark  and  cloudy.  This 
song  is  '^i  'icautifiil,  melancholy  strain,  similar  to  the  tone 


'■"■'?2.\..\, 


THE   SONG   THRUSH. 


1  I' 


produced  on  a  flute :  the  notes  are  difTiciiU  of  dcsciiptiou 
Mr.  >yuttaii,  who  was  particularly  happy  in  his  descriptions 
of  hird-songs,  speaks  of  this  as  follows :  — 

"  The  prelude  to  this  song  resembles  almost  the  double-tonijuinf]; 
of  the  flute,  blended  with  a  tinkling,  shrill,  and  solemn  warble, 
which  re-echoes  from  his  solitaiy  retreat  like  the  dirge  of  some  sad 
recluse,  who  shuns  the  busy  haunts  of  life.  The  whole  air  consists 
usually  of  four  parts,  or  bars,  which  succeed,  in  deliberate  time, 
and  finally  blend  together  in  impressive  and  soothing  harmony, 
becoming  more  mellow  and  sweet  at  every  repetition.  Rival  per- 
formers seem  tc  challenge  each  other  from  various  parts  of  the 
wood,  vying  for  the  favor  of  their  mates  with  sympathetic  respon- 
ses and  softer  tones.  And  some,  waging  a  jealous  strife,  terminate 
the  warm  dispute  by  an  appeal  to  combat  and  violence.  Like  tiie 
Robin  and  the  Thrasher,  in  dark  and  gloomy  weather,  when  other 
birds  are  sheltered  and  silent,  the  clear  notes  of  the  "Wood  Thrush 
are  heard  through  the  dropping  woods,  from  dawn  to  dusk ;  so  that, 
the  sadder  the  day,  the  sweeter  and  more  constant  is  his  song.  His 
clear  and  interrupted  whistle  is  likewise  often  nearly  the  oidy  voice 
of  melody  heard  by  the  traveller,  to  mid-day,  in  the  heat  of  sum- 
mer, as  he  traverses  the  silent,  dark,  and  wooded  wilderness,  remote 
from  the  haunts  of  men.  It  is  nearly  impossible  bv  words  to  con- 
vey any  idea  of  the  peculiar  warble  of  this  vocal  hermit;  but, 
amongst  his  phrases,  the  sound  of  'airoee,  peculiarly  liquid,  and 
followed  by  a  trill,  repeated  in  two  separate  bars,  is  readily  recog- 
nizable. At  times,  their  notes  bear  a  considerable  resemblance  to 
those  of  Wilson's  Thrush :  such  as  eh  rhehu  h'rhehu,  then  varied 
to  'eh  villia  villia,  'eh  villia  vrhehu,  then  'eh  velu  vilhi,  high  and 
shrill." 

About  the  20th  of  May,  the  Song  Thrush  builds  its  nest. 
This  is  placed  usually  in  a  low  alder  or  birch  shrub,  iu  a 
retired  locality,  almost  always  iu  the  deep  woods.  It  is 
composed  outwardly  of  grass,  leaves,  and  weeds,  bent  and 
twined  together.  In  this  is  built  a  nest  composed  of  mud 
and  grass,  and  the  whole  is  lined  with  fibrous  roots  and  soft 
grass  and  moss.  It  is  placed  on  a  low  branch  of  a  tree,  or 
in  the  branches  of  a  shrub.     I  give  Wilson's  description  of 


.^3 


:3! 


8 


148 


OUMTnOLOGY   AND   OOLOCY. 


tliG  nest,  not  because  it  is  essentially  different  from  my  own. 
but  to  contitni  my  own  observation,  and  to  help  clear  up 
the  confusion  tliat  exists  in  many  districts  concerning  the 
identity  of  the  thruslios.     It  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  favorite  haunts  of  the  Wood  Tln-ush  are  low,  tliick -shaded 
hollows,  through  which  a  small  brook  or  rill  meanders,  overhung 
•with  cedar-hushes  that  are  mantled  with  wild  vines.  Near  sucli  a 
scene,  he  generally  builds  his  nest  in  a  laurel  or  alder  bush.  Ciut- 
wardlv,  it  ia  composed  of  withered  beech-leaves  of  the  i)rec('(ling 
year,  laid  at  bottom  in  considerable  quantities,  no  doubt  to  prevent 
damp  and  moisture  from  ascending  through,  being  generally  built 
in  low,  wet  situations :  above  these  are  layers  of  knotty  stalks  or 
withered  grass,  mixed  with  mud,  and  smoothly  plastered,  above 
which  is  laid  a  slight  lining  of  fine  black  fibrous  roots  of  plants." 

The  eggs  are  iisually  four  in  number ;  they  arc  of  a  uni- 
form liglit-blue  color,  without  spots,  and  with  a  very  slight 
tint  of  green  ;  their  form  is  rather  long  and  pointed.  The 
followii:g  are  the  dimensions  of  a  nest  complement  of  four 
eggs,  foi.nd  in  Milton,  Mass. :  1.12  by  .68  inch,  1.12  by  .69 
iiich,  1.0 ''  by  70  inch,  1  by  .73  inch.  But  one  brood  is 
usually  reared  in  the  season  in  New  England. 


TUEliUS  PALLASIl.  — GiAnnw. 
The  Hermit  Thrush. 

Turdns  pnltnsi),  Ci'hanis.     Wicggnian'?  Arrliiv.  (1S47),  I.  205. 

Turilus  folitiirius,  Wilson.  Am.  Om.,  V.  (1812)  95  (not  of  Linn.TUS.  The  figure 
quoted  pi.  xliii.  fig.  2,  belongs  to  T.  Swainamii),  Aud.  Syn.  (1839).  76.,  Birds 
Am.,  III.  (1811)  29,  pi.  :46. 

Turdus  minor,  Bi.cparte.  Obs.  Wilson  (1825),  No.  72.  lb.,  Syn.  (1828),  75. 
Xutt.  Man.,  I.  (1830)  340.     Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1331)  303;  V.  445,  pi.  58. 

Dkscription. 

Fourth  quill  loncost;  third  "ind  fourth  a  little  shorter;  second  about  equal  to  the 
(>ixth  (abo'.it  a  tliirtietl.  of  an  inch  shorter  than  the  longest);  tail  slightly  cmaigi- 
nate;  above  light  olivo-bri  i.n,  m' ■  a  scarcely  perceptible  shade  of  reddish,  pa-^siiig, 
however,  into  decided  rufouR  on  !ie  nimp,  upper  tail  coverts,  and  tail,  and  to  a  less 
degree  on  the  outer  surface  of  the  wings;  beneath  white,  with  a  scarcely  appreciable 
Bhade  of  pale-liuff  across  the  fore  part  of  the  breart,  and  sometimes  on  the  throat; 
the  sides  of  the  throat  aid  the  fore  part  of  the  breast  with  rather  sharply  delined 


THE    IIKUMIT   THIiU.SH. 


149 


mlitriuiinul'ir  spotf  oi  daik  olive-brown;  the  sides  nf  the  hroMi  •.viiii  palir  .iimI  lesi 
distiucf  ?pot8  of  tlio  same;  sides  ol  the  body  under  tlie  win;:;.i  oC  a  paler  shade  than 
the  baek;  u  whitish  ring  round  the  eye;  ear  coverts  very  obseurely  streaked  with 
paler. 

Length,  seven  and  fifty  one-bundredths  inches;  wiii^,  tliree  a;id  eigbly-four  one- 
bundredths;  tail,  three  and  twenty-live  one-bundredlbs;  tarsus,  one  and  sixteen 
one-hundredtbs. 

H(ib.  —  Eastern  North  America  to  the  Mississippi  Hiver. 

This  bird,  although  not  so  well  known  iu  Ma.ssacluisetts, 
Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island,  is  quite  laniiliar  to  the 
people  of  the  other  States  in  New  England,  It  an-ivcs  from 
the  South  about  the  middle  cf  April,  and  passes  leisurely 
to  the  North,  where  it  arrives  about  the  middle  of  May. 
It  very  seldom  breeds  in  any  districts  south  of  the  latitude 
of  the  middle  of  Maine ;  and  from  thence  north  it  is  quite 
abundant,  where  it  is  known  by  the  name  of  the  Swamp 
Robin.  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  find  several  nests 
of  this  species  ;  and  they  were  all  built  in  very  low  scrubby 
trees  or  bushes,  quite  near  the  ground.  They  were  com- 
posed of  twigs,  grasses,  mosses,  and  leaves ;  they  were 
deeply  hollowed,  and  no  mud  was  used  in  their  composition, 
as  with  several  other  species ;  they  were  lined  with  soft 
grasses,  mosses,  and  fine  fibrous  roots.  The  eggs  were,  in 
one  nest,  three  in  number ;  and,  iu  the  others,  four.  This  was 
about  the  10th  of  June.  The  localities  were  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Lake  Umbagog  and  in  the  valley  of  the  Magal- 
loway  River,  in  Maine.  The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a 
somewhat  elongated  oval  form,  and  their  color  is  a  light- 
blue  with  a  very  faint  tint  of  gx'eeu :  "  about  one  in  every 
four  has  very  thinly  scattered  spots  of  reddish-brown,  and 
occasionally  one  is  met  with  having  an  abundance  of 
coarser  spots  of  two  shades  of  browu."  Dimensions 
of  specimens  from  various  localities  vary  from  .92  by  .65 
to  .88  by  .GO  inch. 

Mr.  C.  L.  Paine,  of  Randolph,  Vt.,  writes  me  that  ho  has 
found  numbers  of  the  nests  of  this  bird,  and  that  they  were 
■11  variably  built  on  the  ground.     He  also  says  that  the  eggs 


n 


S 


i  n 


160 


OIIMTIIOLOOT   AND    OOLOGY. 


arc  always  blue  in  color,  and  ho  has  never  met  with  one 
tiiat  was  sjiottcd  in  any  manner.  1  have  quite  a  number 
of  specimens  in  my  collection,  and  not  one  is  spotted.  I 
have  also  seen  many  others,  and  they  were  not  marked ;  and 
1  think  that  the  above  quotation  must  be  received  with  cau- 
tion. A  nest  sent  nie  from  Upton,  Me.,  is  composed  almost 
entirely  of  mosses.     It  contains  live  eggs,  all  unsi)otted. 

Mr.  I'aine  writes  mo  that  the  Olive-backed  Thrush  breeds 
in  his  neighborhood,  Avhich,  with  the  other,  are  the  only 
thrushes  breeding  there.  In  answer  to  his  remark  that 
tlio  ITern)it  Thrusli  always  builds  on  the  ground,  I  can  only 
say  that  1  found  the  nests  as  above.  I  have  noticed  that 
the  Tawny  or  Wilson's  Thrush  builds  on  the  ground  in 
some  localities  and  in  bushes  in  others,  and  conclude  that 
the  Hermit  is  also  variable  in  its  choice  of  a  nesting-place. 

The  habits,  song,  and  general  cliaracteristics  of  this  bird 
are  almost  exactly  similar  to  those  of  the  Song  Thrush. 
Its  song  resembles  it  so  much,  that  I  always  supposed  the 
bird  was  the  same,  until  I  examined  some  of  them  that  I 
heard  singing,  when  I  found  my  mistake.  About  the 
middle  of  October,  the  last  individuals  that  are  seen  in 
Massachusetts  leave  for  the  South.  At  this  tune,  as  in  the 
spring,  tl.(.\v  are  silent  and  shy :  their  note  is  a  faint  chirp, 
uttered  in  a  listless,  melancholy  tone ;  and  their  whole 
ai)pearance  is  in  keeping  with  the  great  change  which  has 
come  over  the  face  of  Nature.  In  fact,  the  Hermit  Thrush 
is  always  associated  in  my  mind  with  the  falling  of  leaves, 
the  rattling  of  acorns,  and  the  whirring  of  the  Ruffed 
Grouse  through  the  birches  and  alders  of  the  swampy 
glens. 

TURDUS  FUSCESCENS.  —  Stephens. 
The  Tawny  Thrush ;  Wilson's  Thrush. 

Tiinliis  fttscescens,  Stephens.  Shaw's  Zool.  Birds,  X.  (1817)  182.  Gray,  Genera 
(1849). 

Tun/us  miislelinus,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  V.  (1812)  98  (not  of  Gm.). 

Tunlus  n'ilnwM,  Nuttall.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  34U.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  862; 
V.  446.     Jl/.,  Birds  Am.,  III.  (1841)  27,  pi.  145. 


'.a 

n 

In 


//6r//j  ,  ^v////,  /. 


V 


Third  (n 
l(inf;ur  tliuii 
riiddish-broi 
wliitu,  the  I 
jrowiiisli  yi 
Ihrout  and 
(■(lUtB  of  ligl 
(ibsuluto  bit; 
Hidu8  of  thti 
UIj  only  nt  i 

licngth, 
liimdrcdtlis 
oiit-liuiidre( 

link  —  I 

'['his  Bp( 
tinctnesfl  of 
tlio  bruoHt. 
tlie  rump; 
rump  in  T. 

This 

southon 
the  soul 
•  inoiit,  w 
hititude 
rcplacec 
the  nor 
the  Sou 
commei 
placed 
briers, 
often  ii 
of  grass 
of  the  [ 
thorou^ 
fine  ro 
numbci 
than  th 
as  in  tl 
Bometii 


TIIK  TAWNY  THIIUSH. 


VA 


I)E8rKII>T|i>!(. 

Third  quill  Idigi'tt,  r<iiirtii  a  little  Nluirtur,  socoiiil  nearly  a  qiiartcr  nf  an  iiuli 
l(in|;ur  thun  tliu  lilth;  abovu,  iiiul  on  gideft  of  lioud  uiid  neck,  iicnrly  uniriirin  li^lit 
rtiddish-brown,  with  a  taint  tciuluncy  to  oran){u  uii  the  crown  and  tail;  btnuiitli 
white,  tho  fori'  part  of  the  brcu^t  and  throat  ([laltr  on  thu  chin)  tinged  >vith  pale 
jrowni^h  yellow,  in  decided  contrast  to  tliu  >vliito  of  the  belly  j  tlio  wides  of  thu 
throat  and  tho  fore  part  of  thu  breast,  lis  colored,  arc  marked  with  Hniall  trlun){ular 
Kpots  of  light-brownish,  nearly  like  the  back,  but  Ujt  well  delined;  there  aru  u  few 
obsolete  blotches  on  the  ftidits  of  the  breast  (fn  the  white)  ol  pale-olivaceoua,  the 
Hides  of  the  body  tinged  with  the  same;  tibiic  white;  the  lower  mandible  is  brown- 
ieh  only  at  the  tip;  the  lores  are  ash-colored. 

Length,  se^en  and  fifty  ono-liundredtha  inches;  wing,  four  and  twenty-live  ono- 
hundredths;  tail,  three  and  twenty  oue-hundredths  inches;  tariius,  one  and  twenty 
one-hundredths. 

I/nb.  —  l^asfcrn  North  America  to  the  Missouri,  north  to  f\ir  countries. 

This  species  is  well  distinguished  among  tho  American  thrushes  by  the  indis- 
tinctness of  the  spots  beneath,  and  their  being  contincd  mainly  to  the  fore  part  of 
the  bruast.  In  some  specimens,  there  is  a  l.iint  tendency  to  a  more  vivid  c(dor  on 
the  rump;  but  this  is  usually  like  the  back,  which  is  \&Ty  nearly  the  color  of  the 
rump  in  T.  jmlkmi 


This  quite  common  species  is  a  summer  inhabitant  of 
southern  Now  England.  It  is  quite  abundant  until  we  reach 
tlio  southern  portions  of  Maine,  Now  Hampshire,  and  Vcr- 
•  mont,  when  it  begins  to  grow  less  conunon  until  wo  reach  the 
latitude  of  the  middle  of  these  States,  where  it  begins  to  be 
replaced  by  the  Hermit  Tlu-usli,  and  soon  ceases  to  occur  to 
the  north  of  this  latitude.  It  makes  its  appearance  from 
the  South  about  the  first  week  in  May,  often  earlier,  and 
commences  building  about  the  20th  of  May.  The  nest  is 
placed  occasionally  in  a  low  shrub,  or  tangled  clump  of 
briers,  usually  on  the  ground.  The  situation  is  retired, 
often  in  the  depths  of  the  woods.  The  nest  is  constructed 
of  grass,  leaves,  and  weeds ;  in  some  cases,  tlie  outer  bark 
of  the  grape-vine  is  tho  principal  material  used  :  it  is  quite 
thoroiighly  i.iade,  and  is  deeply  hollowed,  and  lined  with 
fine  roots  and  horscliair.  The  eggs  arc  usually  four  in 
number,  sometimes  five;  their  color  is  bluish-;.; eon,  deeper 
than  that  of  tho  eggs  of  the  Hermit  Thrush,  but  not  so  dark 
as  in  those  of  the  Cat  Bird  ;  their  form  is  generally  an  oval, 
sometimes  lengthened  and  sharpened ;  their  average  size  is 


i3 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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if  i^  IIIIIM 


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2.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4      1.6 

^ 6"     

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)  872-4503 


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OKNITIIOLOGY    AND    OOLO(;V. 


about  .1)0  by  .GG  inch.  As  in  many  other  eggs,  the  longest 
Hpocinicns  are  not  always  the  broadest.  The  following  are 
the  dimensions  of  four  eggs,  taken  at  random  from  a  large 
number  of  this  species :  .92  by  .G4  uich,  .88  by  .04  inch, 
.86  by  .GO  inch,  .87  by  .67  inch. 

From  the  first  arrival  of  this  bird,  during  its  whole  stay 
Iiere,  it  seems  to  prefer  the  neighborhood  of  a  swampy  wood 
for  Its  home.  There,  during  the  mating  and  incubating 
seasons,  the  notes  of  the  male  may  be  heard  at  the  earliest 
hours  of  the  morning  and  evening;  and,  in  cloudy  weather, 
through  the  day,  and  sometimes  in  tlie  night.  Tlie  song  is 
0,  peculiar  one,  with  a  singular  metallic  ring,  exceedingly 
difficult  to  describe :  it  begins  quite  loud,  the  syllables 
cheury,  clitdrij^  chiury,  vheury^  decreasing  in  tone  to  a  quite 
faint  lisp;  then,  after  a  short  pause,  the  notes,  cheou  'ttvit, 
trittcr,  ^triiter,  are  uttered  ;  and  the  whole  is  finislied  iisutdly 
with  the  ejaculation,  chickwheu.  This  song  is  often  re- 
peated ;  and  sometimes  two  or  three  males,  ])erching  on  a 
}()W  shrub  or  tree,  emulate  each  other  in  a  musical  contest 
that  is  very  pleasing  to  hear.  This  tln-ush,  as  are  all  the 
others,  is  eminently  insectivorous ;  and  througli  the  whole 
day  he  may  be  heard  busily  searching  among  the  fallen 
leaves  for  his  favorite  food. 

About  the  10th  of  September,  it  leaves  for  the  South :  at 
this  time,  like  most  of  the  others,  it  is  silent  and  retiring, 
and  is  found  only  in  localities  that  are  thickly  wooded  with 
a  growth  of  small  birclies  and  oaks. 


TUEDUS  SWAINSONII.— Caianw. 
The  Olive-backed  Thrash ;  Swainson's  Thrush. 

Turdus  Swaiiisonii,    Cab.  in  Tschudi  F.  Peruana  (1844-46)  188. 
Turdut  solitariiu,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  V. 

Dksckiition. 

Third  quill  longest,  second  and  fourth  but  little  shorter,  nnd  much  longer  than 

the  fifth  (by  thirty-five  one-hundrodths  of  an  inch);  upper  parts  unifoim  olivaceous, 

with  a  decided  sliade  of  green ;  the  fore  part  of  breast,  tiiu  throat,  and  chin,  pale 

brownish-yellow;  rest  of  lower  parts  white,  the  sides  washed  with  brownish-olire; 


THE   OLIVE-BACKED   THRUSH. 


i:)3 


sides  cf  tlie  throat  niul  tore  part  of  the  breast  with  »ub-rouiideil  spots  of  well-Ji  lined 
brow'i,  darlter  tliun  tlie  tinck;  tlio  rest  of  tlie  breast  (except  mcdiully)  with  rutlier 
less  distinct  spots  rliatare  more  olivaceous;  tibiie  yellowish-brown;  broad  ring  round 
'.lie  eye;  lorul  region,  and  a  general  tinge  on  the  side  of  the  head,  clear  reddiOi-buff. 

Length,  seven  inches;  wing,  lour  and  tilleeu  oue-hundredths;  tail,  thr  e  and 
ten  one-hundredths  inches;    tarsus,  one  and  ten  one-hunlredtlis. 

nub. — Kastern  North  America  to  the  Black  Hills,  south  to  Mexico  and  Peru, 
north  to  Greenland.    Accidental  in  Europe  and  Siberia. 

This  species  is  at  once  distinguished  from  the  others  by  the  perfectly  uniform  and 
pure  dull-olivaceous  shade  of  its  upper  parts,  moat  strongl}'  marked  and  appreciable 
on  the  rump  and  tail.  The  throat  and  breast  are  perhaps  more  reddish  thou  in  any 
of  our  species,  and  the  tinge  in  the  marking  on  the  side  of  the  head  is  very  much 
more  decided  than  in  uiiy  other.  The  spots  on  the  breast  larger  than  in  T.  ustulatu», 
and  rather  mori;  numerous  than  in  pnllaiii. 


This  species  is  the  least  common  of  all  the  New-Eiiglaud 
thrushes.  It  is  rarely  observed  in  its  passage  through  the 
southern  portions  of  these  States,  and  only  begins  to  choose 
a  home  for  the  summer  on  arriving  ,-,t  the  northern  districts. 
I  have  looked  fur  it  re[)eatedly,  but  have  not  been  able  to 
find  it  south  of  the  latitude  of  Lake  Umbagog,  in  the  breed- 
ing season ;  and  even  there  it  is  not  often  met  with.  It 
arrives  in  the  localities  where  it  breeds  about  tlie  first  week 
in  June.  In  common  with  the  Hermit  Thrush,  it  is  called 
the  "  Swamp  Robin,"  and  can  hardly  be  distinguished  from 
that  bird,  either  by  its  song,  whicli  is  beautiful,  or  by  its 
breeding  habits  or  nests.  The  eggs  are  ditforent,  being  of  a 
deeper  green  color :  they  are  always  (so  far  as  my  expei-i- 
ence  goes)  thinly  spotted  with  dots  and  blotches  of  reddish 
and  brown.  The  following  are  the  dimensions  of  four  eggs 
that  I  found  in  a  nest  near  Wilson's  Mills,  Me.,  on  the  16th 
of  June,  1864 :  .93  by  .64  inch,  .93  by  .63  inch,  .92  by  .60 
inch,  .90  by  .61  inch. 

The  only  difierence  in  the  habits  of  this  species  from  those 
of  the  Hermit  Thrush  is,  that,  while  the  latter  is  most  usually 
found  in  swampy  localities,  the  other  is  most  often  seen  in 
dry,  scrubby  woods,  where  it  is  almost  always  busily  engaged 
in  the  pursuit  of  its  favorite  insect  food. 

J.  A.  Allen,  in  his  paper  on  the  birds  of  Springfield, 
Mass.,  before  referred  to,  is  of  the  opinion  that  this  species 


1  * 


o 


154 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


and  the  Tardus  alicice  are  the  same.  In  a  conversation  with 
Professor  Buird,  since  the  issue  of  Allen's  paper,  I  was  in- 
formed, that,  in  a  large  suite  of  specimens  of  both  species, 
to  which  he  had  access,  he  could  identify  each  by  character- 
istics so  fixed  that  any  confusion  was  impossible :  he  was 
of  the  opinion  that  Mr.  Allen  had  not  seen  the  bird  Jie  calls 
alicice.  I  have  therefore  not  given  that  species  as  a  bird  of 
New  England,  and  think  that  it  i/et  remaiiis  to  be  proved  as 
Buch. 

Dr.  Bryant,  in  describing  the  tabits  of  the  Olive-backed 
Thrush,  says : — 

"  Its  note  differs  entirely  from  that  of  T.  pallasii,  and  tlio  birds 
also  differ  very  much  in  their  habita ;  the  latter  species  being  gen- 
erally seen  on  the  ground,  while  the  Olive-backed  Thrush  prefers 
to  procure  its  food  among  the  branches.  The  one  seen  at  Big  Mud 
Lalic,  Grand  JManan,  was  perched  on  the  top  of  a  small  dwarf-fir, 
and  was  hunting  the  passing  insects  with  all  the  dexterity  of  a 
typical  Flycatcher." 


TDBDUS  MIGBATOEIUS.  — Z,(n(«BM. 

The  Bobin. 

Turdus  migratvrius,  Linnicus.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1766)  292.  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  I. 
(1808)  35.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IL  (1834)  190. 

Memla  migratona,  Sw.  and  Kicb.    Fauna  Bor.  Amer.,  IL  (1831)  176. 

Description. 

Third  and  fourth  quills  about  equal,  fifth  a  little  shorter,  second  longer  thao 
sixth;  tail  slightly  rounded;  above  olive-gray,  top  and  sides  of  the  head  black, 
chin  and  throat  white,  streaked  with  black;  eyelids,  and  a  spot  above  tlie  eye  an- 
teriorly, white;  under  parts  and  inside  of  the  wings  chestnut-brown;  the  under  tail 
coverts  and  anal  region  with  tibia;  white,  showing  the  plumbeous  inner  portions  of 
the  feathers ;  wings  dark-brown,  the  feathers  all  edged  more  or  less  with  pale-ash ; 
tail  still  darker,  the  extreme  feathers  tipped  with  white;  bill  yellow,  dusky  alon^;  the 
ridge  and  at  tlie  tip. 

Length,  nine  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  five  and  forty-three 
one-hundredtlis;  tail,  four  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches ;  tarsus,  one  and 
twenty-five  one-hundredths. 

Iliib.  —  Continent  of  North  America  to  Mexico. 

It  is  very  seldom  tliat  specimens  exhibit  the  colors  exactly  as  described.  Nearly 
always  in  winter,  aud  in  most  cases  at  other  times,  the  rufous  feathers  are  margined 
with  wliitisli,  sometimes  quite  obscuring  the  color.    The  black  feathers  of  the  head, 


THE  ROBIN. 


155 


too,  have  brownish  edgings.  Tlie  wliite  spot  above  the  eye  somctinoiea  extends  for- 
wards towards  the  nostrila,  but  is  usually  quite  restricted.  The  white  patches  on 
the  two  eyelids  are  separated  from  each  other,  anteriorly  and  posteriorly. 

This  very  common  and  well-known  bird  is  a  summer  in- 
habitant of  all  New  England,  and,  in  mild  winters,  remains 
in  the  southern  districts  of  these  States  through  the  year. 
The  great  body  of  the 
birds,  however,  arrive 
from  the  South  about 
the  middle  of  March. 
Tliey  commence  build- 
ing from  the  middle  of 
April  to  the  first  week 
'  in  May,  according  to  lati- 
tude. Tlie  nest  is  built  ., 
more  often  in  the  trees  of  '''^ 
the  orchards  and  gardens,  near  houses,  than  in  the  deep 
woods.  It  is  a  large,  elaborately  built  affair,  constructed  first 
of  a  thick  layer  of  straws,  weeds,  roots,  and  mosses :  on  this 
is  built  the  nest  proper,  which  is  made  of  straws  and  weeds, 
woven  together  in  a  circular  form,  and  plastered  together 
with  mud;  this  is  lined  with  soft  grasses  and  moss,  the 
whole  making  a  durable  structure,  often  holding  together 
through  the  entire  year.  The  eggs  are  usiially  four  in  num- 
ber :  their  color  is  a  beautiful  greenish-blue,  almost  the  same 
as  that  of  the  Wood  Thnxsh's  ogg,  which  they  resemble  in 
shape,  except  they  are  a  trifle  broader.  Dimensions  of  a 
nest-complement  of  four  eggs :  1.16  by  .82  inch,  1.16  by  .82 
inch,  1.10  by  .75  inch,  1.10  by  .80  inch.  Many  cases  occur, 
in  the  southern  districts  of  New  England,  of  two  broods 
being  reared  in  the  season,  and  I  have  known  of  three 
broods  being  reared  in  Massachusetts ;  but,  in  the  northern 
districts,  I  think  that  the  second  brood  is  the  exception, 
instead  of  the  rule. 

Perhaps  none  of  our  birds  are  more  unpopular  with  horti- 
culttirists  than  tliis ;  and  T  will  here  give  the  observations 


'3 


1  ^ 


9» 


!.■,() 


OIlMTIlOLOUy    AND    OOLOGY. 


ii 


ui"  diiroroul  scientific  men,  and  my  own,  to  show  that  the 
prejudice  against  the  bird  is  unjust  and  unfounded.  Mr. 
Trouvclot,  of  Mcdford,  Mass.,  who  is  engaged  in  rearing 
silkworms,  for  the  production  of  silk,  is  troubled  by  the 
Robin  to  a  degree  surpassing  most  other  birds.  He  has  a 
tract  of  about  seven  or  eight  acres  enclosed,  and  mostly 
covered  with  netting,  lie  is  obliged,  in  self-defence,  to  kill 
tlie  birds  which  penetrate  into  the  enclosure  and  destroy  the 
worms.  Tlirough  the  season,  probably  ten  robins,  for  one 
of  all  otncrs,  thus  molest  him  ;  and,  of  scores  of  these  birds 
which  he  has  opened  and  examined,  none  had  any  fruit  or 
berries  in  their  stomachs,  —  nothing  but  uisects.  It  is  to 
be  understood  that  this  was  not  in  a  part  of  the  summer 
wiien  berries  were  unripe :  on  the  contrary,  it  was  all 
through  the  season.  His  land  is  surrounded  with  scrub- 
oaks  and  hueklebcrry-bushcs.  These  latter  were  loaded 
with  fruit,  which  was  easier  of  access  to  the  birds  than  the 
worms ;  but  none  were  found  in  them.  He  says  they  came 
from  all  quarters  to  destroy  his  silkworms,  and  gave  him 
more  trouble  than  all  the  other  birds  together.  He  said 
that,  in  his  opinion,  if  the  birds  were  all  killed  off,  vegetar 
tion  would  be  entirely  destroyed.  To  test  the  destructive- 
iiess  of  these  marauders,  as  he  regarded  them,  he  placed  on 
a  small  scrub-oak  near  his  door  two  thousaiid  of  his  silk- 
worms. (These,  let  me  say,  resemble,  when  small,  the 
young  caterpillar  of  the  apple-tree  moth.)  In  a  very  few 
days  they  were  all  eaten  by  Cat-birds  and  Robins,  —  birds 
closely  allied,  and  of  the  same  habits.  This  was  in  the 
berry  season,  when  an  abundance  of  this  kind  of  food  was 
easily  accessible ;  but  they  preferred  his  worms.  Why  ? 
Because  the  young  of  those,  as  well  as  those  of  most  other 
birds,  must  be  fed  on  animal  food.  Earthwoi*ms  as8l3t  in 
the  regimen  ;  but  how  often  can  birds  like  the  Robin,  Cafc- 
bird.  Thrush,  &c.,  get  these  ?  Any  farmer  knows,  that,  when 
the  surface  of  the  ground  is  dry,  they  go  to  the  subsoil,  out 
of  the  reach  of  birds ;  and  it  is  not  necessary  here  w  sap 


THE   ROBIN. 


i:.7 


wliat  proportion  of  the  tliiio  tlie  <i:roiiiid  is  very  dry  tlirou^li 
the  summer.  Caterpillars,  grtibs  of  various  kinds,  and 
insects,  therefore  constitute  the  chief  food  of  those  birds ; 
and  of  these,  caterpillars  and  grul)s  being  the  most  abun- 
dant, and  most  easily  caught,  furnish,  of  course,  the  larger 
proportion. 

In  fact,  the  Thrushes  seem  designed  by  nature  to  rid  tlie 
surface  of  the  soil  of  noxious  insects  not  often  pursued  by 
most  other  birds.  The  warblers  capture  the  insects  that 
prey  on  the  foliage  of  the  trees ;  the  flycatcliers  seize  these 
insects  as  they  fly  from  the  trees ;  the  swallows  capture 
those  which  have  escaped  all  these ;  the  woodpeckers  destroy 
them  when  in  the  larva  state  in  the  wood  ;  the  wrens,  nut- 
hatches, titmice,  and  creepers  eat  the  eggs  and  young  that 
live  on  and  beneath  the  bark ;  but  the  thrushes  subsist  on 
those  that  destroy  the  vegetation  on  the  surface  of  the  earth. 
They  destroy  nearly  all  kinds  of  grubs,  caterpillars,  and 
worms  that  live  upon  the  greensward  and  cultivated  soil, 
and  large  quantities  of  crickets  and  grasshoppers  before 
the/  have  become  perfect  insects.  Tlic  grubs  of  locusts, 
of  harvest-flies,  and  of  beetles,  which  are  turned  up  by  the 
plough  or  the  hoe,  and  their  pupae  when  emerging  from  the 
soil ;  apple-worms,  when  they  leave  the  fruit  and  crawl  about 
in  qiiest  of  new  shelter ;  and  those  subterranean  cater[)illars, 
the  cutworms,  that  come  out  of  the  earth  to  take  their  food, — 
all  these,  and  many  others,  are  eagerly  devoured  by  the 
Robin  and  other  Thrushes.  The  cutworms  emerge  from 
the  soil  dui'ing  the  night  to  seek  for  food ;  and  the  Robin, 
which  is  one  of  the  earliest  birds  to  go  abroad  in  the  morn- 
ing, is  very  diligent  at  the  dawn  of  day  in  hunting  for  these 
vermin  before  they  have  gone  back  into  their  retreat.  The 
number  of  these  destructive  grubs  is  immense.  "  Whole 
cornfields,"  says  Dr.  Harris,  "  are  sometimes  laid  waste  by 
them.  Cabbage-plants,  till  they  are  grown  to  a  considerable 
size,  are  very  apt  to  be  cut  off  and  destroyed  by  them.  Po- 
tato-vines, beans,  beets,  and  various  other  culinary  plants, 


'■3 

s 


158 


OnMTHOLOOT   AND   OOLOOY. 


f! 


1 

i 


suffer  ill  tlio  aamo  way."  The  services  of  the  robins,  in 
destroying  these  alone,  would  more  than  pay  for  all  the  fruit 
they  devour.  Indeed,  during  the  breeding  season,  a  roVnn  is 
seldom  seen  without  having  in  his  mouth  one  of  these  cater- 
pillars, or  some  similar  grub,  which  he  designs  for  his  yoiuig; 
and  as  the  Robin  often  raises  three  broods  of  young  during 
the  season,  his  species  must  destroy  more  of  this  class  of 
noxious  insects  than  almost  all  other  birds  together.  In 
my  own  gardening  experiences,  I  have  had  my  full  share  of 
cutworms;  and  1  have  always  noticed  the  Robin,  Brown 
Thrush,  and  Cat-bird  busy  early  in  the  morning, — almost 
before  other  birds  are  out  of  their  feather-beds,  figuratively 
speaking,  —  catching  these  vermin  and  eating  them,  or 
carrying  them  for  food  to  their  young. 

To  show  further  the  food  of  this  bird,  I  present  the  follow- 
ing experiment.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History,  a  communication  was  read  from  Professor 
Treadwell,  of  Cambridge,  giving  a  detailed  account  of  the 
feeding  and  growth  of  this  bird  during  a  period  of  thirty- 
two  days,  commencing  with  the  5th  of  June.  The  following 
is  the  substance  of  this  report :  — 

When  caught,  the  two  were  quite  young,  their  tail  feathers 
being  less  than  an  inch  in  length,  and  the  weight  of  each 
about  twenty-five  pennyweights,  —  less  than  half  the  weight 
of  the  full-grown  birds :  both  were  plump  and  vigorous,  and 
had  evidently  been  very  recently  turned  out  oi'  the  nest. 
He  began  feeding  them  with  earthworms,  giving  three  to 
each  bird  that  uight.  The  second  day,  he  gave  them  ten 
worms  each,  which  they  ate  ravenously.  Thinking  this 
beyond  what  their  parents  could  naturally  supply  tht.n  with, 
he  limited  them  to  this  allowance.  On  the  third  day,  he  gave 
them  eight  worms  each  in  the  forenoon  ;  but  in  the  afternoon 
he  found  one  becoming  feeble,  and  it  soon  lost  its  strength, 
refused  food,  and  died.  On  opening  it,  he  found  the  pro- 
ventriculus,  gizzard,  and  intestines  entirely  empty,  and  con- 
cluded therefore  that  it  died  from  want  of  sufficient  food ; 


THE  ROBIN. 


\'>d 


the  effect  of  hunger  being  increased  jjcrliaps  by  the  cold, 
as  tlio  thermometci-  was  about  sixty  degrees. 

Tlie  other  bird,  still  vigorous,  lie  put  in  a  warmer  placo, 
and  increased  its  food,  giving  it  tlie  tliird  day  fifteen  worms, 
on  the  fourth  day  twenty-four,  on  the  fiftli  twenty-five,  on 
tlie  sixth  thirty,  and  on  the  seventh  thirty-one  worms.  They 
seemed  insufficient,  and  the  bird  appeared  to  be  losing 
plumpness  and  weight.  He  began  to  weigh  both  the  bird 
and  its  food,  and  the  results  were  given  in  a  tabular  form. 
On  the  fifteenth  day,  he  tried  a  small  quantity  of  raw  meat, 
and,  finding  it  readily  eaten,  increased  it  gradually,  to  the 
exclusion  of  worms.  With  it  the  bird  ate  a  large  quantity 
of  earth  and  gravel,  and  drank  freely  after  eating.  By  the 
table,  it  appears  that  though  the  food  was  increased  to  forty 
worms,  weighing  twenty  pennyweights,  on  the  eleventh  day 
the  weight  of  the  bird  rather  fell  off;  and  it  was  not  until 
the  fourteenth  day,  when  he  ate  sixty-eight  worms,  or  thirty- 
four  pennyweights,  that  he  began  to  increase.  On  this  day, 
the  weight  of  the  bird  was  twenty-four  pennyweights :  ho 
therefore  ate  forty-one  per  cent  more  than  his  own  weight 
in  twelve  hours,  weighing  after  it  twenty-nine  pennyweights, 
or  fifteen  per  cent  less  than  the  food  he  had  eaten  in  that 
time.  The  length  of  these  worms,  if  laid  end  to  end,  would 
be  about  fourteen  feet,  or  ten  times  the  length  of  the  intes- 
tines. 

To  meet  the  objection,  that  the  earthworm  contains  but  a 
small  quantity  of  nutritious  matter,  on  the  twenty-seventh 
day  he  was  fed  exclusively  on  clear  beef,  in  quantity  twenty- 
seven  pennyweights.  At  night,  the  bird  weighed  fifty-two 
pennyweights,  but  little  more  than  twice  the  amount  of  flesh 
consumed  during  the  day,  not  taking  into  account  the  water 
ttud  earth  swallowed.  This  presents  a  wonderful  contrast 
with  the  amount  of  food  required  by  the  cold-blooded  ver- 
tebrates, fishes,  and  reptiles,  many  of  which  can  live  for 
months  without  food,  and  also  with  that  required  by 
mammalia.     Man,  at  this  rate,  would  eat  about  seventy 


•1 


.i  '-1 


19 

O 


IGO 


OIlNITIIOLOr.Y    AND   OOt.OCY. 


pojiiuls  of  flesh  II  day,  and  drink  five  or  six  gallons  of 
vvator. 

Tho  qnostion  immediately  presents  itself,  ITow  can  tills 
immense  amount  of  food,  reiinired  by  tlio  younj^  birds,  he 
snpplied  l>y  the  parents?  Suppose  a  pair  of  old  ruhins,  with 
the  usual  nnml)cr  of  lour  young  ones.  These  would  recpiire, 
according  to  tlio  consumption  of  this  bird,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  worms,  or  tlioir  equivalent  in  insect  or  other  food,  daily. 
Suj)pose  the  parents  to  work  ten  liours,  or  six  hundred  min- 
utes, to  i)rocuro  tiiis  supply :  this  would  bo  a  worm  to  every 
two  and  two-fil'ths  minutes ;  or  each  parent  must  procure  a 
worm  or  its  equivalent  in  less  than  five  minutes  during  ten 
hours,  in  addition  to  tho  food  required  for  its  own  support. 

After  the  thirty-second  day,  the  bird  had  attained  its  full 
size,  and  was  intrusted  to  the  care  of  another  person  during 
his  absence  of  eighteen  days.  At  tho  end  of  that  period, 
the  bird  was  strong  and  healthy,  with  no  increase  of  weight, 
though  its  feathers  had  grown  longer  and  smoother.  Its 
food  had  been  weighed  daily,  and  averaged  fifteen  penny- 
weights of  weiglit,  two  or  three  earthworms,  and  a  small 
quantity  of  bread  each  day,  the  whole  being  equal  to  eigh- 
teen pennyweights  of  meat,  or  thirty-six  pennyweights  of 
earthworms ;  and  it  continued  up  to  the  time  of  tho  pres- 
entation of  the  report.  Tho  bird  having  continued  in  con- 
finement, with  certainly  imich  less  exercise  than  in  the  wild 
state,  to  eat  one-third  of  its  weight  in  clear  flesh  daily,  the 
Professor  concludes  that  the  food  it  consumed  when  young 
was  not  much  more  than  must  always  bo  provided  by  the 
parents  of  wild  birds.  The  food  was  never  passed  undi- 
gested ;  the  excretions  were  made  up  of  gravel  and  dirt, 
and  a  small  quantity  of  semi-solid  urine. 

He  thought  that  every  admirer  of  trees  may  derive  from 
these  facts  a  lesson,  showing  the  immense  power  of  birds 
to  destroy  the  insects  by  which  our  trees,  especially  our 
apple-trees,  elms,  and  lindens,  are  every  few  years  stripped 
of  their  foliage,  and  often  many  of  them  killed. 


]h 


THE   ROBIN. 


It'.l 


"Tlie  fiK)(l  of  the  Robin,"  tho  rrofessor  Huys,  "while  with  un, 
consifttN  principally  of  worms,  vurious  insects,  tlieir  larviu  and  ejjgs, 
am]  ti  few  cherries.  (Jf  worms  and  cherries  tliey  ciin  procure  lint 
few,  and  those  during  hut  a  short  jieriod ;  and  they  are  oltligcd, 
therefore,  to  subsist  principally  upon  the  great  destroyers  of  leaves, 
—  canker-worms,  and  some  otlier  kinds  of  caterpillars  anil  bugs.  If 
each  robin,  old  and  young,  recjuires  for  its  support  an  amount  of 
tliese  equal  to  the  weight  consumed  by  this  bird,  it  is  easy  to  see 
what  a  prodigious  Iiavoe  a  few  hundred  of  these  must  make  upon 
the  insects  of  an  orchard  or  nursery." 

Wilson  Flagg,  an  acnto  and  careful  observer  of  tlie  habits 
of  our  birds,  gives  some  of  his  experioucos  of  the  Robin, 
as  follows.     Ho  says, — 

"  Before  I  had  investigated  the  habits  of  this  bird,  with  particular 
reference  to  the  service  he  renders  to  agriculture,  I  supposed  he 
was  only  of  secondary  importance,  compared  with  the  Blackbird 
and  others  that  possess  tlie  faculty  of  discovering  and  seizing  the 
grubs  that  lie  concealed  beneath  the  surface  of  the  ground.  Though 
the  Robin  does  not  possess  this  faculty,  lie  is  pre-eminently  service- 
able in  other  ways ;  and  the  more  I  have  studied  his  habits,  the 
more  I  am  convinced  of  his  usettilness.  Indeed,  I  am  now  fully 
])er8uaded  that  he  is  valuable  beyond  all  other  species  of  birds,  and 
that  his  services  are  absolutely  indispensable  to  the  farmers  of  New 
England.  Some  persons  believe  that  the  Robin  is  exclusively  a 
frugivorous  bird,  and  that  for  fruit  he  will  reject  all  other  food  that 
is  within  his  reach.  Others  believe  that  his  diet  consists  about 
equally  of  fruits  and  angle-worms,  but  that  he  is  not  a  general  con- 
sumer of  insects.  The  truth  is,  the  Robin  is  almost  exclusively 
insectivorous,  and  uses  fruit,  as  we  do,  only  as  a  dessert,  and  not 
for  his  subsistence,  except  in  the  winter,  when  his  insect  food  cannot 
be  obtained.  He  is  not  omnivorous,  like  the  Crow,  the  Jay,  and  the 
Blackbird.  He  rejects  farinaceous  food  unless  it  is  artificially  pre- 
pared, derives  almost  his  entire  support  from  insects  and  grubs,  and 
consumen,  probably,  a  greater  variety  of  species  than  any  other 
bird.  I  um  entirely  at  a  loss  to  account  for  this  very  prevalent  and 
mistaken  notion  respecting  the  frugivorous  habits  of  the  Robin. 

11 


•:3 


Ji 


i»;2 


OltNITllOLOCJY    AND   OOLO(iV, 


♦'  Eiiily  ill  Mil)',"  lu'  ''iiyii,  "  my  son  ciiuglit  and  cugiMl  tlirea 
yoiiii^r  lidliiiiH,  uimI  I  (■ricouni;ri'iI  liiiii  in  tlic  act,  that  I  niiglit  l>» 
t'iiiil)l<(l  to  Nlinly  tlu'ir  liultits  of  Irfiliiiju.  IIi'  cdnunfiioi'tl  liy  ft-ed- 
iii>,'  tliciii  with  uti>;lu-W(>riiis  uiid  Hoakfd  l)r<tiid,  giving  them  tliu  latter 
v«ry  8|mriiigly.  Tlioy  soon  died,  evidiiiitly  from  an  excess  of  the 
I'liiiiiiKM'oiis  piirt  iif  tlicir  ditit.  II*)  tliun  took  tlireo  otlwtrs  fioni 
diHuiciit  wvsln,  iiiid  led  tiaiii  nioio  exclusively  on  worms,  mid  some 
fruit.  Two  of  tlieso  also  sckiii  died,  and  the  remaining  onO  up- 
peared  ill  and  drooping.  I  suggested  tliut  tlio  bird  probably  needed 
insects  us  woll  as  worms,  which  alone  were  not  sudicient  to  supply 
all  tlio  wants  of  the  system;  though  he  had  access  to  cherries  and 
Koiikod  bread,  of  which  he  could  eat  whenever  ho  wanted  tliem. 
A'ar  this,  ho  was  supplied  with  all  sorts  of  grubs  and  insects  which 
my  son  was  able  to  capture.  The  robin  devoured  these  indiscrimi- 
nately and  with  great  eagerness.  Me  was  never  known  to  refuse  one 
of  any  description.  All  kinds  of  beetles,  moths,  bugs,  grubs,  vine- 
worms,  chrysalids,  and  caterpillars,  which  were  presented  to  him, 
he  devoured.  After  this  improvement  of  his  diet,  the  bird  soon 
recovered  his  health ;  and  the  experiment  proved  conclusively  that 
this  variety  of  insect  food  was  necessary  to  the  life  of  the  bird,  at 
least  while  he  was  young. 

"  These  insects  were  not  put  into  his  mouth :  they  were  placed 
upon  the  floor  of  his  cage,  and  he  picked  them  up,  killing  them  in 
a  Wfii/  that  shoioed  that  he  knew  instinctiveh/  how  to  manage  them, 

"  He  was  particular  in  beating  the  vine-worm  considerably  before 
he  swallowed  it ;  but  he  never  refused  one,  or  neglected  to  eat  it. 
On  one  occasion,  having  swallowed  a  hard  beetle,  and  finding  it 
incommodious,  he  threw  it  out  of  his  crop  by  a  voluntary  effort, 
beat  it  awhile  with  his  bill  against  the  floor,  and  then  swallowed  it 
again.  This  fact  also  proved  his  instinctive  knowledge  of  the  mode 
of  proceeding  in  such  emergencies. 

"  It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  notice,  that  the  Baltimore  Oriole,  or 
Golden  Robin,  which  has  the  reputation  of  performing  more  ser- 
vice than  the  common  Robin,  may,  when  confined  iu  a  cage,  be  fed 
almost  entirely  on  farinaceous  food,  without  injury  to  his  health. 
This  fact  is  good  evidence  that  the  common  Robia  is  more  entirely 
insectivorous  than  the  other.  The  contrary  is  generally  belic~ed. 
The  fondness  of  the  Robin  and  others  for  fruit  is  not  peculiar  tc  his 


TUB  BHUWN  TUItUSU. 


loa 


ipecioB :  it  is  c(|uully  remurkuble  iit  iiliuout  ail  uther  imuclivurouf 
birds." 

I  liavo  given  thcso  accounts,  ns  1  reniarkod  before,  for  tlio 
purpose  of  removing  a  prejudice  that  is  too  well  ostuljlislied 
against  this  bird.  Instances  like  the  above  might  bo  pre- 
Bciited  to  almost  any  extent ;  but  my  limits  will  not  permit 
%  further  notice  of  this  speuios,  ^ 


Sub-FiimUy  MmiNiU.  —  Mocking  Birds. 

Tail  long,  vaulted  at  Uie  base,  the  featliiTs  more  or  Iu88  gratlimtcd;  Rizelargis; 
general  appearance  thruHli-like;  rictus  with  distinct  bristles ;  frontal  feathers  normal, 
directed  backwards ;  anterior  half  of  outer  side  of  tarsi  distinctly  scutellate. 


1  IIAKI'OIUIYNCHL'S,  Cauaniu. 

I/nrporhynchtu,  Cabahii,  Wiegmann'a  Archiv.  (1848),  I,  08.  (Type  llarpa 
redivivut. )  , 

Bill  from  front  as  long  ai,  or  longer  than  the  head,  nearly  straight  to  near  the  tip, 
or  bow-shaped,  without  any  notch  i  tarsus  as  long  as,  or  longer  than  the  middle  toe, 
connpicuously  scutellate;  outer  lateral  toe  a  little  the  longer,  not  reaching  the  base  uf 
the  middle  claw ;  hind  toe  longer  than  lateral,  its  cluw  equal  to  its  remaining  portion ; 
wings  short,  rounded,  the  fourth  or  lifth  longest ;  the  exposed  portion  of  the  first  about 
half  that  of  longest ;  tail  longer  than  the  wings,  broad,  more  or  less  graduated. 


n 


lb 
0 


HABPORHTNCHDS  BUFUS.  —  Caianit. 
The  Brown  Thrush ;  Brown  Thrasher. 

Turdui  rnfut,  LinnoBus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  293.  Wilson,  Am.  Om.,  II.  (1810) 
68.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  102;  V.  (1839)  441. 

Orpheut  rufiit,  Swainson.  F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1881)  187.  Nuttall,  Man.  I.  (1802) 
828. 

Description. 

Fifth  quill  longest;  the  third,  fourth,  ond  sixth  little  shorter;  second  equol  tc 
ninth;  exposed  portion  of  the  bill  shorter  than  the  head;  outline  of  lower  mandible 
straight;  above  light  cinnamon-red,  beneath  pale  rufous-white  with  longitudinal 

1  This  genus,  together  with  the  following,  has  been  removed  from  its  position  in 
the  Ltotnchuke,  as  given  in  vol.  IX.  Pac.  R.U.  Reports,  iind  placed  in  the  TuvdkJa  by 
Professor  Boird,  in  his  recent  Keview  of  the  Birds  of  North  America. 

s  See  Appf    "x. 


104 


ORMTHOLOOY  AND   OOLOGY. 


Ktreiika  of  dark-brown,  excepting  on  the  eliin,  throat,  middle  of  the  belly,  and  undei 
tail  coverts ;  tlicse  spots,  aiiteriorljr,  are  reddish-brown  in  t'leir  terminal  portion ;  the 
hm"r  surface  of  the  wing  and  the  inner  edges  of  the  primaries  are  cinnamon ;  the  con- 
cealed portion  of  the  quills  otherwise  is  dark-brovirn ;  the  median  and  greater  wing 
coverts  become  blackish-brown  towards  the  end,  Ibllowed  by  white,  producing  two 
conspicuous  bands;  tlie  tail  feathers  are  all  rufous,  the  external  ones  obscurely  tipped 
with  whitish;  the  shalls  of  the  same  color  with  the  vanes. 

Len^ith,  eleven  and  liflecn  one-hundredllis  inches;  wing,  four  and  firteen  one- 
liundredths;  tail,  five  and  twenty  oue-hundredths  inches;  tarsus,  one  and  thirty 
oiie-hundredths;  iris,  golden-yellow. 

Probably  none  of  our  summer  visitors  aro  better  known, 
and  none  aro  greater  favorites  than  this  bird.     Its  beautiful 
sonjr  and  well-known  beneficial  habits  have  endeared  it  to 
tlie  farmer,  who  takes  it  under  his  protection,  as  he  should 
all  the  Tluushcs,  and  encouragos  its  approach  to  the  garden 
and  orchard.    The  Brown  Thrush  arrives  from  the  South 
about  the  middle  of  April  in  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island, 
and  the  10th  of  May  ,  i  Maine  and  the  other  northern  dis- 
tricts.     The  birds  seem  to  be  mated  before  their  arrival 
here,  as  they  are  almost  always  observed  in  pairs  at  their 
first  appcaraiu'.e.     The  nest  is  bui^t  about  the  middle  of 
May,  sooner  or  later,  according  to  latitude.     It  is  usually 
placed  in  a  bush  or  tlncket  of  briers  or  vines,  sometimes  on 
the  ground  at  the  foot  of  a  clump  of  bushes.     It  is  com- 
posed first  of  a  layer  of  twigs,  then  leaves  and  strips  of 
cedar  and  grape-vine  bark,  and  the  whole  is  covered  with 
fibrous  roots:  the  uost  is  pretty  deeply  hollowed,  and  lined 
with  fine  roots  and  hairs.     The  eggs  are  from  three  to  five 
in  number.    Their  color  is  u  greenish  or  dirty  white,  over 
\vhich  are  thickly  sprinkled  miimte  dots  of  reddish-brown: 
their  shape  ?s  ovate,  and  their  dimensions  vary  from  1.16 
by  .80  inch  to  1.06  by  .76  inch.    A  great  number  before  mo 
exhibit  these  variations,  which  probably  aro  the  greatest  of 
this  species,  as  the  eggs  are  generally  nearly  of  a  size.    Pour 
eggs  in  a  nest  collected  in  New  Hampshire  have  the  follow- 
ing measurements :  1.12  by  .78  inch,  1.12  by  .76  inch,  1.08 
by  .76  incli,  1.06  by  .76  inch.     But  one  brood  is  reared  in 
the  season  in  the  Nortliern  States. 


THE    BROWN    THRUSH. 


16.b 


Tli(!  song  of  this  bird  is  diiTicult  of  dcscript'n  it  is  a 
sort  of  confused  mixture  of  the  notes  of  difTorein  birds,  or 
rather  seems  to  be,  but  is  really  its  own  song ;  as  difTcrent 
individuals  all  sing  nearly  alike.  Tlio  fact  that  it  resembles 
tlic  Mocking-bird  in  its  medley  of  notes  has  caused  it  to  be 
called,  in  some  localities,  the  Brown  Mocker ;  and  it  is  also 
sometimes  called  the  Mavis  a«d  Nightingale,  from  its  habit 
of  singing  in  the  night  during  the  mating  season. 

The  description  of  Wilson's,  of  the  habits  of  this  bird,  is 
pretty  comprehensive,  in  fact,  the  best  that  I  have  seen,  and 
I  give  it  almost  entire.      He  says,  — 

"  Ic  is  the  largest  of  all  our  Thrushes,  and  is  a  well-known  and 
very  distinguished  songster.  About  the  middle  or  20lh  of  April, 
or  generally  about  the  time  the  cherry-trees  begin  to  blossom,  he 
arrives  in  Pennsylvania;  and,  from  the  tops  of  our  hedge-rows, 
sassafras,  apple,  or  cherry  trees,  he  salutes  the  opening  morning 
with  his  charming  song,  which  is  loud,  emphatical,  and  full  of 
variety.  At  that  serene  hour,  you  may  plainly  distinguish  his  voice 
fully  half  a  mile  off.  These  notco  are  not  imitative,  as  his  name 
would  import,  and  as  some  people  believe,  but  seem  solely  his  own, 
and  have  considerable  resemblance  to  the  notes  of  the  Song  Thrush 
(Tardus  musicus)  of  Britain.  Early  in  May  he  builds  his  nest, 
choosing  a  thorn-bush,  low  cedar,  thicket  of  briers,  dogwood-sapling, 
or  cluster  of  vines,  for  its  situation,  generally  within  a  few  feet  of 
the  ground.  Outwardly,  it  is  constructed  of  small  sticks ;  then, 
layers  of  dry  leaves ;  and,  lastly,  lined  with  fine,  fibrous  roots,  but 
without  any  plaster.  The  eggs  are  five,  thickly  sprinkled  with  fer- 
ruginous grains,  on  a  very  pale-bluish  ground.  They  generally  have 
two  broods  in  a  season.  Like  all  birds  that  build  near  the  ground, 
he  shows  great  anxiety  for  the  safety  of  his  nest  and  young,  and 
often  attacks  the  black  snake  in  their  defence ;  generally,  too,  with 
success,  his  strength  being  greater,  and  his  bill  stronger  and  more 
powerful,  than  any  other  of  his  tribe  within  the  United  States.  His 
food  consists  of  worms,  which  he  scratches  from  the  ground,  cater- 
pillars, and  many  kinds  of  berries.  Beetles,  and  the  whole  race  of 
coleopterous  insects,  wherever  he  can  meet  with  them,  are  sure  to 
Buffer.     He  is  accused,  by  some  people,  of  scratching  up  the  hills 


O 


160 


OUNITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


3f  IiKiian  corn,  in  planting  tinne.  This  may  be  partly  true ;  but,  for 
Rvory  grain  of  maize  be  pilfers,  I  am  porsnadod  be  destroys  five 
hundred  insects,  particularly  a  largo  dirty-colored  grub,  with  a 
black  head,  which  is  more  pernicious  to  the  corn,  and  other  grain 
and  vegetables,  than  nine-tenths  of  thr  whole  feathered  race.  He 
is  an  active,  vigorous  bird,  flies  generally  low,  from  one  thicket  to 
another,  with  his  long,  broad  tail  spread  like  a  fan ;  is  often  seen 
about  brier  and  bramble  bushes,  along  fences ;  and  has  a  single  note 
or  chuck,  when  you  approach  his  nest.  In  Pennsylvania,  they  are 
numerous,  but  never  fly  in  flocks.  About  the  middle  of  September, 
or  as  soon  as  they  have  well  recovered  from  moulting,  in  which  they 
suffer  severely,  they  disappear  for  the  season.  In  passing  through 
the  southern  parts  of  Virginia,  and  south  as  far  as  Georgia,  in  the 
depth  of  winter,  I  found  them  lingering  in  sheltered  situations, 
particularly  on  the  border  of  swamps  and  rivers.  On  the  1st  of 
IMarch,  they  were  in  full  song  round  the  commons  at  Savannah, 
as  if  straining  to  outstrip  the  Mocking-bird,  that  prince  of  feathered 
musicians. 

"  The  Thrasher  is  a  welcome  visitant  in  spring,  to  every  lover  of 
rural  scenery  and  rural  song.  In  the  months  of  April  and  May, 
when  our  woods,  hedge-rows,  orchards,  and  cL  >rry-trees,  are  one 
profusion  of  blossoms  ;  when  every  object  around  conveys  the  sweet 
sensations  of  joy,  and  Heaven's  abundance  is,  as  it  were,  showering 
around  us,  —  the  grateful  heart  beats  in  unison  with  the  varying, 
elevated  strains  of  this  excellent  bird:  we  listen  to  its  notes  with 
a  kind  of  devotional  ecstasy,  as  a  morning  hymn  to  the  great  and 
most  adorable  Creator  of  all.  The  human  being  who,  amidst  such 
scenes,  and  in  such  seasons  of  rural  serenity  and  delight,  can  pass 
them  with  cold  indifference,  and  even  contempt,  I  sincerely  pity ; 
for  abject  must  that  heart  be,  and  callous  those  feelings,  and  de- 
praved that  taste,  which  neither  the  charms  of  nature,  nor  the 
melody  of  innocence,  nor  the  voice  of  gratitude  or  devotion,  can 
reach. 

"  Concerning  the  sagacity  and  reasoning  faculty  of  this  bird,  my 
venerable  friend,  JNIr.  Bartram,  writes  me  as  follows :  '  I  remember 
to  have  reared  one  of  these  birds  from  the  nest,  which,  when  full 
grown,  became  very  tame  and  docile.  I  frequent!  let  him  out  of 
his  cage,  to  give  him  a  taste  of  liberty.    After  fluttering,  and  dusting 


THE   MOCKIXG-niRD. 


It) 


)( 


himself  in  dry  sand  and  earth,  a^d  bathing,  wasliing,  and  dressing 
himself,  he  would  proceed  to  hunt  insects,  such  as  beetles,  crickets. 
and  other  shelly  tribes ;  but,  being  very  fond  of  wasps,  after  catch- 
ing them,  and  knocking  them  about  to  break  their  wings,  ho  would 
lay  them  down,  then  examine  if  they  had  a  sting,  and,  with  his 
bill,  squeeze  the  abdomen  to  clear  it  of  the  reservoir  of  poison 
before  he  would  swallow  his  prey.  When  in  his  cage,  being  very 
fond  of  dry  crusts  of  bread,  if  upon  trial  the  corners  of  the  crumbs 
were  too  hard  and  sharp  for  his  throat,  he  would  throw  them  up, 
Cfiriy  and  put  them  in  his  water-dish  to  soften,  then  take  them  out 
and  swallow  them.'  " 

By  the  first  week  in  October,  the  Brown  Thrush  departs 
on  its  southern  migration,  and  passes  the  winter  in  the 
West  Indies  and  Mexico. 


MIMUS,  BoiE. 

^fimtl^,  BoiE,  Isis  (Oct.,  1826)  972.  (Type  Turdus  polyghthis.) 
Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  dccurved  from  the  base,  distinctly  notched  at 
tip;  tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  lateral  toes  equal,  not  reaching  the  base  of 
the  middle  claw,  and  shorter  than  the  hind  toe,  the  claw  of  which  is  half  the  total 
length;  tail  variable,  equal  to  or  longer  than  the  wings,  moderately  graduated; 
wings  rounded,  the  exposed  portion  of  the  first  nearly  or  quite  half  that  of  the 
second,  which  is  considerably  shorter  than  the  third. 


MIMUS  POLYGLOTTUS — Boie. 
The  Mocking-bird 

rucrftM  po%to«MS,  Linnaous.    Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1766)  293.    Wilson,  Am.  Ora.,  II. 
(1810)  14.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  108;  V.  (1839)  438. 
Mimua  polyytolttis,  Boie.     Isis  (Oct.,  1820),  972. 
Oij)heus  polygloltus,  Swainson.    Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (1827)  107. 

Description. 
Third  to  sixth  quills  nearly  equal,  second  shorter  than  seventh;  tail  considerably 
graduated,  above  ashj'-brown,  the  feathei-s  very  obsoletely  darker  centrally,  and 
towards  the  light  plumbeous  downy  basal  portion  (scarcely  appreciable,  except  when 
the  feathers  are  lilted);  the  under  parts  are  white,  with  a  faint  brownish  tinge, 
exc  >pt  on  the  chin,  and  with  a  shade  of  ash  across  the  breast;  there  is  a  pale  super- 
ciliary stripe,  but  the  lores  are  dusky;  the  wings  and  tail  are  nearly  black,  except 
the  lesser  wing  coverts,  which  are  like  the  back,  the  middle  and  greater  tipped  with 
white,  forming  two  bands,  the  basal  portion  of  the  primaries  white,  most  extended 
on  the  inner  primaries;  the  outer  tail  fenther  is  white,  the  second  is  mostly  white, 


.^  V 


168 


ORNITFIOLOfJY    AND    OOLO(;V. 


except  on  the  outer  web  nnil  towards  tlip  bn.ie,  the  third  with  .1  white  spot  on  the 
end.  the  rest,  except  the  middle,  very  slightly  tipped  with  white;  (he  bill  and  legs 
lire  blai'k. 

I.eiif,'ih,  nine  and  fifty  one- hundredths  inchesj  wing,  four  and  fifty  ono-hun- 
dredtlis;  tail,  five  inches;  iris,  light-ytllow. 

This  bird  is  so  exceedingly  rare  in  New  England,  that  it 
can  scarcely  be  regarded  otherwise  than  as  an  accidental 
visitor;  and  Massachusetts  is  certainly  its  northern  limit. 


Mr.  Allen,  before  referred  to,  says  that  it  has  been  known 
to  brood  in  Springfield  several  times  within  five  years,  and 
in  1(S60  two  pairs  nested  there.  In  June,  1860,  he  fo\ind 
a  nest  containing  three  freshly  laid  eggs,  iijcubation  not 
having  been  begun:  the  locality  was  a  sandy  field,  growing 
up  to  pitch-pines,  in  one  of  which  the  nest  was  placed, 
about  three  feet  from  the  ground ;  the  pair  was  secured 
with  the  nest  and  eggs. 

As  I  have  had  no  opportunities  of  observing  the  habits 
of  this  beautiful  songster,  I  will  give  the  very  interesting 
description  by  "Wilson.     He  says, — 

"The  precise  time  at  which  the  Mocking-bird  begins  to  build 
liis  nest  varies  according  to  the  latitude  in  which  he  resides.  In 
tlie  lower  parts  of  Georgia,  lie  commences  building  early  in  April, 
hut  in  Pennsylvania  rarely  before  the  10th  of  May ;  and  in  New 


THE   MOCKlNG-llIRD. 


169 


York,  and  the  States  of  New  Engliiml,  still  later.  There  arc  par- 
ticular situations  to  wliich  he  gives  the  preference.  A  solitary 
thorn  bush,  an  almost  impenetrable  thicket,  an  orange-tree,  ce<lar, 
or  holly  bush,  are  favorite  spots,  and  frequently  selected.  It  is  no 
great  objection  with  him,  that  these  happen,  sometimes,  to  be  near 
the  farm  or  mansion-house.  Always  ready  to  defend,  but  never 
over-anxious  to  conceal,  his  nest,  he  very  often  builds  within  a 
small  distance  of  the  house,  and  not  unfrequently  in  a  pear  or 
apple  tree ;  rarely  at  a  greater  height  than  six  or  seven  feet  from 
the  ground.  The  nest  varies  a  little  in  different  individuals, 
according  to  the  convenieucy  of  collecting  suitable  materials.  A 
very  complete  one  is  now  lying  before  me,  and  is  composed  of  the 
following  substances :  First,  a  quantity  of  dry  twigs  and  sticks  ; 
then,  withered  tops  of  weeds,  of  the  preceding  year,  intermixed 
with  fine  straws,  hay,  pieces  of  wool  and  tow ;  and,  lastly,  a  thick 
layer  of  line  fibrous  roots,  of  a  light-brown  color,  lines  the  whole. 
The  eggs  are  four,  sometimes  five,  of  a  cinereous-blue,  marked  with 
large  blotches  of  brown.  The  female  sits  fourteen  days,  and  gener- 
ally produces  two  broods  in  the  season,  unless  robbed  of  her  eggs, 
in  which  case  she  will  even  build  and  lay  the  third  time.  She  is, 
however,  extremely  jealous  of  her  nest,  and  very  apt  to  forsake  it 
if  much  disturbed.  It  is  even  asserted  by  some  of  our  bird-dealers, 
that  the  old  ones  will  actually  destroy  the  eggs,  and  poison  the 
young,  if  either  the  one  or  the  other  have  been  handled.  But  I 
cannot  give  credit  to  this  unnatural  report.  I  know,  from  my  own 
experience  af  least,  that  it  is  not  always  their  practice;  neither 
have  I  ever  witnessed  a  case  of  the  kind  above  mentioned.  During 
the  period  of  incubation,  neither  cat,  dog,  animal,  nor  man  can 
approach  the  nest  without  being  attacked.  The  cats,  in  particular, 
are  persecuted  whenever  they  make  their  appearance,  till  obliged 
to  retreat.  But  his  whole  vengeance  is  most  particularly  directed 
against  that  mortal  enemy  of  his  eggs  and  young,  the  black  snake. 
Whenever  the  insidious  approaches  of  this  reptile  are  discovered, 
the  male  darts  upon  it  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow,  dexterously 
eluding  its  bite,  and  striking  it  violently  and  incessantly  about  the 
head,  where  it  is  very  vulnerable.  The  snake  soon  becomes 
sensible  of  its  danger,  and  seeks  to  escape ;  but  the  intrepid 
defender  of  his  young  redoubles  his  exertions,  and,  unless   hia 


8 


170 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOCY. 


antagonist  be  of  fi^rcat  magnitude,  often  succeeds  in  destroying  him. 
All  its  protended  jjowers  of  fascination  avail  it  nothing  against 
the  vengeance  of  this  noble  bird.  As  the  snake's  strength  begins 
to  flag,  tlie  3Iocking-bird  seizes  and  lifts  it  up  partly  from  the 
ground,  beating  it  with  his  wings ;  and,  when  the  business  is  com- 
pleted, he  returns  to  the  rei)ository  of  his  young,  mounts  the 
summit  of  the  bush,  and  pours  out  a  torrent  of  song  in  token  of 
victoi;y. 

"  The  plumage  of  the  Mocking-bird,  though  none  of  the  home- 
liest, has  nothing  gaudy  or  brilliant  in  it,  and,  had  he  nothing  else 
to  recommend  him,  would  scarcely  entitle  him  to  notice ;  but  his 
figure  is  well  proportioned,  and  even  handsome,  i'he  ease,  ele- 
gance, and  rai)idity  of  his  mo\ements,  the  animation  of  his  eye, 
and  the  intelligence  he  displays  in  listening  and  laying  up  lessons 
from  almost  every  species  of  the  feathered  creation  within  his 
hearing,  are  really  surprising,  and  mark  the  peculiarity  of  his 
genius.  To  these  qualities  we  may  add  that  of  a  voice  full,  strong, 
and  musical,  and  capable  of  almost  every  modulation,  from  the 
clear,  mellow  tones  of  the  Wood  Thrush,  to  the  savage  scream  of 
the  Bald  Eagle.  In  measure  and  accent,  he  faithfully  follows  his 
originals.  In  force  and  sweetness  of  expression,  he  greatly  im- 
proves upon  them.  In  his  native  groves,  mounted  on  the  top  of  a 
tall  bush  or  half-grown  tree,  in  the  dawn  of  dewy  morning,  while  the 
woods  are  already  vocal  with  a  multitude  of  warblers,  his  admirable 
song  rises  pre-eminent  over  every  competitor.  The  ear  can  listen 
to  his  music  alone,  to  which  that  of  all  the  others  seems  a  mere 
accompaniment.  Neither  is  this  strain  altogether  imitative.  His 
own  native  notes,  which  are  easily  distinguishable  by  such  as  are 
well  acquainted  with  those  of  our  various  song-birds,  are  bold  and 
full,  and  varied  seemingly  beyond  all  limits.  They  consist  of  short 
expressions  of  two,  three,  or,  at  the  most,  five  or  six  syllables, 
generally  interspersed  with  imitations,  and  all  of  them  uttered  with 
great  emphasis  and  rapidity,  and  continued  with  undiminished 
ardor  for  half  an  hour  or  an  hour  at  a  time.  His  expanded  wings 
and  tail,  glistening  with  white,  and  the  buoyant  gayety  of  his 
action,  arresting  the  eye,  as  his  song  most  irresistibly  does  the  ear, 
he  sweeps  round  with  enthusii  tic  ecstasy;  he  mounts  and  de- 
scends as  his  song  swells  or  dies  away  ;  and,  as  my  friend  Mr, 


TllR   MOCRING-BIRD. 


171 


Barfiain  lias  beautifully  expressed  it,  '  He  hounds  aluft  witii  the 
celerity  of  an  arrow,  as  if  to  recover  or  recall  his  very  soul, 
expired  in  the  last  elevated  strain."  While  thus  exerting  him- 
self, a  bystander  destitute  of  sight  woulu  suppose  that  the  wliole 
featliered  tribes  had  assembled  together,  on  a  trial  of  skill,  each 
striving  to  produce  his  utmost  effect,  so  perfect  are  his  imita- 
tions. He  many  times  deceives  the  sportsman,  and  sends  him  in 
search  of  birds  that  perhaps  are  not  within  miles  of  him,  but 
whose  notes  he  exactly  imitates ;  even  birds  ♦hemselves  are  fre- 
quently imposed  on  by  this  admirable  mimic,  a  id  are  decoyed  by 
the  fancied  calls  of  their  mates,  or  dive  with  •;  recipitation  into  the 
depth  of  thickets  at  the  scream  of  whai,  they  suppose  to  be  the 
Sparrow-hawk. 

"  The  Mocking-bird  loses  little  of  the  power  and  energy  of  his 
song  by  confinement.  In  his  domesticated  state,  when  he  com- 
mences his  career  of  song,  it  is  impossible  to  stand  by  uninterested. 
He  whistles  for  the  dog,  —  Caesar  starts  up,  wags  his  tail,  and  runs 
to  meet  his  master.  He  squeaks  out  like  a  hurt  chicken,  —  and 
the  hen  hurries  about  with  hanging  wings  and  bristled  feathers, 
clucking  to  protect  its  injured  brood.  The  barking  of  the  dog,  the 
mewing  of  the  cat,  the  creaking  of  a  passing  wheelbarrow,  follow 
with  great  truth  and  rapidity.  He  repeats  the  tune  tauf;ht  him  by 
his  master,  though  of  considerable  length,  fully  and  faithfully.  He 
runs  over  the  quiverings  of  the  Canary,  and  the  clear  whistlings 
of  the  Virginia  Nightingale,  or  Red-bird,  with  such  superior  execu- 
tion and  eflfect,  that  the  mortified  songsters  feel  their  own  inferiority, 
and  become  altogether  silent,  while  he  seems  to  triumph  in  their 
defeat  by  redoubling  his  exertions. 

"  This  excessive  fondness  for  variety,  however,  in  the  opinion 
of  some,  injures  his  song.  His  elevated  imitations  of  the  Brown 
Thrush  are  frequently  interrupted  by  the  crowing  of  cocks ;  and 
the  warblings  of  the  Blue-bird,  which  he  exquisitely  manages,  are 
mingled  with  the  screaming  of  swallows,  or  the  cackling  of  hens ; 
amidst  the  simple  melody  of  the  Robin,  we  are  suddenly  surprised 
by  the  shrill  reiterations  of  the  Whippoorwill ;  while  the  notes  of 
the  Killdeer,  Blue  Jay,  Martin,  Baltimore,  and  twenty  others,  suc- 
eead  with  such  imposing  reality,  that  we  look  round  for  the  origi- 


•i3 

n 

■i  >^ 
'  i-i 

o 


Iku; 


1  Travels,  p.  32.    Introd. 


172 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND    OOLOGY. 


nals,  and  discover,  with  astoiii.slinient,  tlmt  (he  sole*  performer  in 
this  singular  concert  is  the  adinirable  bird  now  before  ns.  During 
this  exhibition  of  his  powers,  he  spreads  his  wings,  expands  his  tail, 
and  throws  liimself  around  the  cage  in  all  the  ecstasy  of  enthu- 
siasm, seeming  not  only  to  sing,  but  to  dance,  keeping  time  to  the 
measure  of  his  own  music.  Both  in  his  native  and  domesticated 
state,  during  the  solemn  stillness  of  night,  as  soon  as  the  moon 
rises  in  silent  majesty,  he  begins  his  delightful  solo,  and  sere- 
nades us  the  livelong  night  with  a  full  display  of  his  vocal 
powers,  making  the  whole  neighborhood  ring  with  his  inimitable 
medley." 

A  mimbcr  of  eggs  in  my  collection  average  about  .98  of 
an  inch  in  length  by  about  .70  inch  in  breadth ;  their  form 
is  generally  ovate,  and  their  color  a  pale  emerald-green, 
with  spots  of  ferruginous  and  brown. 

GALE0SC0PTE8,  Cabanis. 

Oaleoteopta,  Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  L  (1860)  82.  (Type  Musdrapa  CaroK- 
nenm.) 

Dill  shorter  than  the  head,  rather  broad  at  base;  rictal  bristles  moderately  devel- 
oped, reachinp:  to  the  nostrils;  wings  a  little  shorter  than  the  tail,  rounded;  second- 
aries well  developed,  fourth  and  fifth  quills  longest,  third  and  sixth  little  sliorter, 
first  and  ninth  about  equal,  and  about  the  length  of  secondaries,  first  quill  more 
than  half  the  second,  about  half  the  third;  tail  graduated,  tail  feather  about  seventy 
one-hundredths  inch  shorter  than  the  middle ;  tarsi  longer  than  lateral  middle  toe 
and  claw  by  about  an  additional  half  claw,  scutellate  anteriorly,  more  or  less  dis- 
tinctly in  different  specimens;   scutellge  about  seven. 

The  conspicuous  naked  membranous  border  round  the  eye  of  some  thrushes, 
with  the  bare  space  behind  it,  not  appreciable. 


GALEOSCOPTES  CAROLINEKSIS.  —  CabanU. 

The  Cat-bird. 

Muscicapa  Carolinensis,  Linnaeus.    Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1766)  328. 
Orpheus  Carutinensia,  Audubon.    Syn.  (1839),  88. 
Miinus  Carolinensis,  Gray.    Genera  (1844-49). 

Tardus  feliKox,  Vieillot.    Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  11.  (1807)  10.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II- 
(1831)  171;  V.  1839,440. 

Orpheus  felivox,  Swainson.    F.  Bor.  Am.,  IL  (1831)  192. 
Turdm  lividm,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  IL  (1810)  90. 


THE  CAT-BIRD. 


17^5 


Dksciuption. 

Third  quill  longest,  first  t>horter  than  sixth;  prevailin)^  colur  darlc  plumbeou.'*, 
more  asiiy  bencatli ;  crown  and  nupo  durk  sooty-brown;  wings  dark-brown,  edgud 
with  plumbeous;  tail  greenish-black,  the  lateral  f'outhcrs  obsv'urely  tipped  with 
plumbeous;  the  under  tail  coverts  dark -brownish  chestnut;  female  smaller. 

Length,  eight  and  eighty-tive  one-hundredths  inrhcs;  wing,  three  and  sixty-five 
one-hundredths;  tail,  four;  tarsus,  one  and  five  one-huudrcdtha  inch. 

This  very  common  and  well-known  species  arrives  in 
New  England  about  tlio  first  week  in  May,  —  in  Maine, 
perhaps  about  the  15th  of  that  month.  It  • )  distributed 
abundantly  throughout  these  States,  and  its  habits  are  so 
well  known  that  a  description  here  is  hardly  necessary. 
During  the  mating  season,  and  indeed  through  the  greater 
part  of  the  summer,  the  song  of  the  male  is  heard  in  the 
woods,  pastures,  and  gardens  at  early  morning,  and  some' 
times  through  the  day ;  and,  although  most  persons  describe 
it  as  being  harsh  and  uncouth,  it  is  really  very  pleasing  and 
melodious.  It  is  a  sort  of  medley,  like  that  of  the  Brown 
Thrush,  but  not  near  so  loud :  the  bird  usually  perches  on 
a  low  tree,  where,  standing  nearly  erect,  his  wings  slightly 
expanded,  and  his  tail  spread  beneath  him,  he  pours  forth 
his  notes  sometimes  for  half  an  hour  at  a  time.  In  addition 
to  this  song,  he,  in  common  with  the  female,  has  a  plaintive 
note  almost  exactly  like  the  mewing  of  a  cat;  and  the  spe« 
cific  name  of  felivox,  given  it  by  some  authors,  is  much 
more  descriptive  and  appropriate  than  that  of  Carolinensis, 
which  is  neither  descriptive  nor  proper. 

The  alarm-note  is  a  rattling  cry,  like  the  sound  of  quick 
breaking  of  several  strong  sticks :  it  is  perhaps  well  ex- 
pressed by  the  syllables  trat-tat-tat-tat,  uttered  very  quickly. 
I  have  noticed  that  this  bird,  as  do  many  others,  prefers  the 
neighborhood  of  thickly  settled  districts,  even  a  home  in 
their  midst,  to  others  of  a  wilder  character;  and,  when 
travelling  through  the  deep  forests,  I  have  invariably  found, 
that,  when  these  birds  became  abundant,  a  settlement  was 
near. 

Soon  after  mating,  the  birds  build :  this  is  from  about  the 


i 


S 


174 


OUNITHOLOOY   AND  00 


liOtli  of  Miiy  to  tlio  first  wook  in  June,  i.io  ucst  is  usuiillj 
}ilaco(l  in  biislios  and  shrubs,  soklom  more  than  four  or  fivo 
feet  from  fho  ground;  tlio  location  as  often  iu  the  deep 
woods  as  in  the  fields  or  pastures.  It  is  constructed  first 
of  a  layer  of  twigs  and  sticks,  on  which  is  built  the  body  of 
tho  Jiest,  whicli  is  composed  of  strips  of  grape-vine  bnrk, 
fine  twigs,  leaves,  and  straws :  it  is  deeply  hollowed,  and 
lined  with  filji'ous  roots  and  hairs,  and  sometimes  fine  grass. 
Tiie  eggs  are  usually  four  in  immlier,  sometimes  fivo:  their 
color  is  a  bright,  deep  emerald-green,  and  their  form  gener- 
ally ovate.  A  great  number  of  specimens  before  me  do  not 
exhibit  great  variations  iu  mcasuremeMt  from  tho  dimen- 
sions of  a  nest  complement  of  four  collected  in  Tliornton, 
N.H. ;  they  aro  as  follows:  .95  by  .67  inch;  .Do  by  .t'G 
inch ;  .93  by  .07  inch ;  .93  by  .66  inch.  Two  broods  aro 
reared  in  tho  season,  seldom  throe  in  this  latitude. 

About  tho  middle  of  October,  this  species  moves  iu  itH 
Southern  migration. 


TUE  BLUE-BIRD. 


176 


Family  SAXICOMD^E.'    Tiik  Ruck  Iniiahitbrs. 

Wiii;;s  wry  long  and  much  pointed,  rvnclilii^'  licyotid  tliu  nilddlo  of  tlio  «liort 
l(|uaro  iir  uiniirginuted  tail,  and  uim  and  a  liult'  tiineAt  or  niori-  tliu  li'n^lli  of  the 
lattiT;  tliu  KpiiriouH  primary  very  iihurt,  tlie  Bucoiid  (|uill  lunf^er  thuri  (he  I'uurtli;  in 
the  clust'd  wing,  the  outer  secondary  resckM  only  about  twu-thirds  tliu  length  of  tht 
longest  primary. 

SIALIA,  SwAiNHON. 

Sinlia,  SwAlNBoN,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (Sept.,  1827)  178.    (S.  WiUonii.) 
Dill  short,  stout,  hioudcr  timii  high  at  the  base,  then  compressed,  slightly  notched 
at  tip;  rictus  with  short  bristles;  tursi  not  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  claws  con- 
tiderulily  curved;  wings  niucli  hmger  than  the  tail,  the  tirst  primary  spurious,  not 
one-fourth  the  longest;  tail  moderate,  slightly  forked. 


SIALIA   SIALIS.  —  Baird. 


The  Blue-bird;   Bed-brouted  Blue-bird. 

Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1768)   187.    Gmclin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I. 

Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,I.  (1808)  66 


MotaciUa  tialii,  Linmeus. 
(1788)  989. 

Syhin  rinlii,  Latham.    Index  Om.,  II.  (1790)  522. 
Aud.  Om.  Miog  ,  II.  (1834)  84;  V.  (1839)  462. 

AmpdU  sinlia,  Nuttall.     Man.,  I.  (1832)  444. 


Deschiption. 

Entire  upper  parts,  including  wings  and  tail,  continuous  and  uniform  azure-blue, 
the  checks  of  a  duller  tint  of  the  same;  beneath  reddish-brown;  tlie  abdomen,  anal 
region,  and  under  tail  coverts  white;  bill  and  feet  black;  simfts  of  the  quills  and 
tail  feathers  black;  female  with  the  blue  lighter,  and  tinged  with  brown  on  the  head 
and  back. 

Length,  six  and  sevcnty-flve  onc-hundrcdthg  inches;  wing,  four  inches;  tail,  two 
and  ninety  oue-hundredths  inches. 

rilHIS  beautiful  bird  is  a;'ery  common  summer  inhabitant 
_L  of  all  Now  England.  It  is  one  of  the  cailiest  in  its 
arrival  from  the  South,  often  making  its  a])pearanco  by  the 
middle  of  March,  sometimes  even  earlier.  About  the  middle 
of  April,  immediately  after  mating,  the  birds  coininence  pre- 
paring their  nest :  this  is  made  in  a  deserted  woodpecker's 

1  I  have  adopted  the  arrangement  given  by  Professor  Baird  in  his  recent  review, 
in  this  family  and  the  succeeding,  as  far  as  SyLVicouD.<s. 


176 


oiiNiTnoLoar  and  oolooy. 


hull',  ill  a  in.irtiii'H  liox,  or  in  a  kiu)t-Iii)lo  in  a  f(3iic(3-[)ost. 
Till!  iiiiitciials  UHod  ill  its  constnu'tioii  aro  i^oiiorally  Hoft 
uirasscs.  fcatlioif,  ami   wools:    tlio.so   arc   tlirowii    toj^ctlici' 


without  any  great  care,  tlio  object  being  to  got  comfort  and 
warmth  in  the  early  season  in  which  the  first  litter  of  eggs 
is  laid.  The  eggs  are  either  four  or  five  in  number :  they 
aro  of  a  light-blue  color,  with  a  very  faint  greenish  tint. 
Five  specimens,  taken  at  random  from  a  great  number, 
exhibit  the  following  measurements :  .80  by  .62  inch,  .8') 
by  .62  inch,  .84  by  .61  inch,  .82  by  .60  inch,  .80  by  .60 
inch.  This  species  raises  two  broods,  usually  in  the  samo 
nest,  in  the  season. 

The  Blue-bird's  habits  are  pretty  well  known ;  and  its 
insectivorous  character,  and  social  and  happy  disposition, 
havo  established  it  as  a  great  favorite. 


tin:  DLUiMiiiu). 


177 


Its  8011}^  Ls  a  soft  ploasiii;^  \ViU'l)l(',  \vliu;U  is  oI'umi  ri;iit'ali!(i. 
uiid  is  uttorcd  by  tho  l)ircl  butli  wlicii  Hying  ami  luMcliinu:. 
Ill  capturing  iiisucts,  it  lui.s  many  of  tho  hal)it.s  of  tho  Fiy- 
catduM's.  It  remains  perching  on  a  post  ur  twig  until  its 
proy  allows  itself,  when  it  suddenly  flies  at  it  llii|»ping 
its  wings  rapidly,  seizes  it,  and  returns  to  its  perch  to  cat 
it.  It  often  descends  (piickly,  and  seizes  a  grasshopper  tliul 
is  crawling  on  a  straw  or  weed;  and,  if  it  misses  its  aim, 
even  follows  it  while  Hying. 

About  tho  last  week  of  October,  the  parents  and  young 
leave  in  a  detached  flock  for  tho  South. 


o 
■Ml 

■■• 


!? 


178 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  SYLVIID^yE.     The  WooD-iNnABiTERS. 

"  Uill  sleiidrr,  broud,  and  depressed  at  tlie  base,  distinctly  notched  and  decurrad 
at  the  tip;  iiiliiicii  sharp  ridged  at  base;  frontal  feathers  reaching  to  the  nosfrilu, 
which  are  oval,  wiih  iiienibranu  above,  and  overhung  —  not  coneeuled  —  by  u  few 
bristles  or  by  a  leather ;  rielal  bristles  extending  beyond  nostrils;  tarsi  booted  or 
rcutellate;  hasil  joint  of  middle  toe  attached  its  whole  length  externally,  half-way 
internally;  pnniaries  ten;  spurious  primary  about  half  the  second,  which  is  shorter 
than  the  seventh;  lateral  toes  equal."  —  liAiuu. 

REGULUS,  CuviEH. 

Jiei/ulu.'<,Cv\iFA:,  herons  d'Anat.  Coinp.  17311-1800  (Agassiz).  (Type  J/otaciWa 
reytdus,  Limianis;  Jieyulus  cristatus,  Koch.) 

Bill  slender,  much  shorter  than  the  head,  depressed  at  base,  but  becoming  rapidly 
compressed,  moderately  notched  at  tip;  culmen  straight  to  near  the  tip,  then  gently 
curved;  commissure  straight;  gonj's  convex;  rictus  well  provided  with  bristles; 
nostril  covered  by  a  single  bristly  feather  directed  forwards;  tarsi  elongated, 
exceeding  considerably  the  middle  toe,  and  without  scutellaj;  lateral  toes  about 
ei|ual.  hind  toe  with  the  claw  longer  than  the  middle  one,  and  about  half  tlie  toe; 
claws  all  much  curved;  first  primary  about  one-third  as  long  as  the  longest,  second 
equal  to  fifth  or  sixth ;  tail  shorter  than  the  wings,  moderately  forked,  the  feathers 
acuminate;  colors  olive-green  above,  whitish  beneath;  size  very  small. 

EEGULUS   CALJiilDDLA Licht. 


The  Euby-crowned  Wren. 

Motacilla  calendula,  LinniEus.     Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1766)  337. 

Sijhia  calendula,  Wilson.     Am.  Om.,  I.  (1808)  88. 

Requlus  calendula,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  415.   Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  546 

Description. 

Above  dark  greenish-olive,  passing  into  bright  olive-green  on  the  rump  and 
outer  edges  of  the  wings  and  tail ;  crown  with  a  large  concealed  p.itcli  of  scarlet 
leathers,  which  are  white  at  the  base;  the  under  parts  are  grayish-white  tinged 
with  pale  olive-yellnw,  especially  behind;  a  ring  round  the  eye,  two  bands  on  the 
wing  coverts,  and  the  exteriur  of  the  inner  tertials  white.  Young  without  the  red 
on  the  crown.  The  female  differs  very  little  in  color.  It  is  quite  probable  that  the 
species  does  not  attain  the  red  patch  in  the  crown  until  the  .second  year,  as  the 
spring  migrations  of  flic  sjiecies  always  embrace  a  considerable  number  with 
(he  head  perfectly  plain. 

Length,  four  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  thirty-three  one- 
hundredths;  tail,  one  and  eightv-five  one-hundredths. 


THK   GOLDKN-CUESTKD    WUKN. 


170 


rflJilS  (limiuutivo  species  is  a  quite  common  spring  and 
JL  autumn  visitor  in  New  England,  arriving  i'rom  the 
South  from  April  the  13th  to  the  20th  in  the  dilierent  States. 
They  are  generally  lirst  seen  in  evergreen  woods ;  but 
later  are  found  among  the  opening  foliage  and  blossoms  of 
I'orcst  and  orchard  trees,  —  particularly  tlie  oak,  elm,  maple, 
and  apple,  —  darting  about,  climbing  on  the  small  twigs, 
and  prying  in  all  directions  in  search  of  minute  flying 
insects,  their  eggs  and  larvae,  frequenting  the  tops  of  the 
trees  as  well  as  the  lower  branches.  By  the  12th  of  May, 
they  depart  for  the  North  to  rear  their  young,  —  breeding 
in  Canada,  Labrador,  &c.  From  about  the  1st  of  October 
to  the  last  of  that  month,  they  arc  again  with  us,  and  are 
seen  diligently  engaged  in  pursuit  of  food  in  our  woods  and 
orchards. 

They  are  not  shy  in  their  habits,  and  will  permit  one  to 
approach  quite  near  them.  I  have  noticed  that  they  remain 
in  one  cluster  of  twigs  until  it  is  completely  cleared  of 
insects,  and  they  often  employ  ten  minutes  in  searching  it 
thoroughly. 

The  Ruby  Ci'own  winters  in  the  more  southern  States  of 
the  Union  and  in  Mexico.  On  clear,  fine  days  in  spring,  I 
have  heard  this  bird  warble  a  beautiful  song ;  and  it  has 
also  a  peculiar  guttural,  querulous  call-note,  which  often 
precedes  this  song. 


8 


SEGULUS  SATBAPA.  — £icA(. 


The  GoIden>crested  Wren. 

Rtgulus  satrapa,  LicUtenstein.  Verzeich.  Uoubl.  (1823),  No.  410  (Quotes  Parus 
tatrapa,  Illigor,  —  probably  a  museum  name).  Aud.  Syn.  (1839),  82.  /&.,  Birds 
Amer.,  II.  (1841)  lef). 

Bylvia  regulus,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  (1808)  126. 

Regulus  tricohi;  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832),  420.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  476 

Description. 

Above  olive-green,  l)rif,'litfst  on  the  outer  edges  of  the  wing;  tail  feathers  tinged 
irith  brownisli-gray  towards  the  head ;  forehead,  a  line  over  the  eye  and  a  space 


180 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


beneath  it,  w)  ite;  exterior  of  the  crown  before  and  laterally  black,  embracing  a 
central  patcli  of  orange-red,  encircled  by  gamboge-yellow;  a  dusky  space  around 
the  eye ;  wing  coverts  with  two  yellowish-whito  bands,  the  posterior  covering,  a 
eitnilur  band  on  the  quills,  succeeded  by  a  broad  dusky  one;  under  parts  dull 
whitish. 

The  black  of  tlie  head  immediately  succeeds  the  white  ftontal  band  as  one  of 
about  the  same  width,  passiiiR  behind  on  each  side.  Generally  the  white  line  over 
the  eye  is  .se)>urated  from  the  white  forehead  by  a  dusky  lore.  There  is  also  a 
dusky  space  lieneath  the  wliitish  under  the  eye.  The  yellow  of  the  crown 
generally  overlies  and  conceals  the  orange.  The  orange  is  wanting  in  tlie  fe- 
male, flic  young  birds  always  appear  to  have  at  least  the  yellow  and  black  of  the 
crown. 

Length,  under  four  inches;  wing,  two  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches; 
tail,  one  and  eighty  one-hundredths  inches. 


This  handsome  and  active  species  is  also  a  common  bird, 
coming  to  us  from  the  North  the  last  of  September,  but, 
unlike  the  preceding,  braving  the  rigors  of  our  winter; 
and  it  leaves  again  by  the  15th  of  April.  Numbers,  how- 
ever, winter  farther  south  ;  and  it  is  in  spring  and  autumn 
tliat  tlie  species  is  most  abundant.  On  their  arrival  in 
autumn,  they  frequent  orchard  trees,  feeding  among  the 
leaves  of  the  apple-trees,  which,  at  this  season,  are  infested 
with  insects.  Later,  and  in  winter,  they  resort  more  often 
to  the  evergreens,  —  such  as  the  pine,  spruce,  and  cedar, 
but  rove  wliercver  they  can  find  food,  generally  in  company 
with  the  Chickadees,  and  occasionally  the  White-breasted 
Nutliatch,  Brown  Creeper,  and  Downy  Woodpecker;  the 
whole  forming  a  lively,  busy  winter  party,  as  they  perambu- 
late the  country,  intent  on  gathering  their  now  scanty  food. 
Tlieir  call-note  at  this  season,  indeed  the  only  note  that  I 
have  heard  at  any  time,  is  a  faint  pipe  or  whistle,  sounded 
quickly  three  or  four  times.  I  have  never  heard  this  bird 
utter  the  querulous  note  assigned  to  it  by  Audubon  and 
Nuttall,  but  have  often  heard  the  Ruby  Crown  give  this 
.strain.  In  spring,  having  similar  habits  and  diet  with  tlie 
Ruby  Crowns,  they  frequent  the  same  hiuiting-grounds,  and 
are  seen  hanging  to  the  extremities  of  twigs,  liead  down- 
wards, and  sometimes  fluttering  in  the  air  in  front  of  them, 
seizing  small  flies,  "  and  often  exposing  the  golden  feathers 


THE   GOLDEN-CRESTED   WREN. 


181 


of  their  liead,  which  are  opened  and  shut  with  great  adroit- 
ness." This  species  may  possibly  breed  in  Maine,  having 
been  seen  there  in  summer ;  but  I  do  not  remember  of  its 
having  been  found  in  the  breeding  season  south  of  that 
State, 


I'n 


182 


OUNITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Familt  PARID^. 

Bill  generally  short,  conical,  not  notched  nor  decurved  at  tip;  culinen  broad  and 
rounded,  not  sliarp-ridgcd  at  base;  nostrils  rounded,  basal,  and  concealed  by  dense 
bristles  or  bristly  feathers  j  loral  feathers  rough  and  bristly,  directed  forwards;  tarsi 
distinctly  scutcllafe;  basal  jniiits  of  anterior  toes  abbreviated,  that  of  middle  toe 
united  about  cqunlly  for  tliree-fourths  its  lenglli  to  the  lateral,  in  Pdrime  forming  a 
kind  of  palm  fcir  grasping;  outer  lateral  toe  decidedly  longer  than  the  inner;  prima- 
ries ten,  the  lirst  much  shorter  than  the  second;  tail  feathers  without  soft  tips. 

The  two  sub-families  may  be  thus  distinguished:  -- 

Parince.  —  Body  compressed;  bill  shorter  than  the  head;  wings  rounded,  equal 
(o  or  shorter  than  the  rounded  tail,  second  quill  as  short  as  the  tenth;  tarsus  longer 
tlian  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  which  are  about  equal  to  the  hinder;  soles  of  toes 
widened  into  a  palm;  plumage  rather  soft  and  lax. 

SiltiiUB.  —  Body  depressed ;  bill  about  equal  to  or  longer  than  the  head ;  wings 
much  pointed,  much  longer  than  the  nearly  even  tail;  tarsus  shorter  than  the  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw,  which  are  about  e(iual  to  the  hinder;  plumage  more  compact. 


Siih-Famihj  Parince.  —  The  Titmice. 

•  PARUS,  Linn^us. 

Farm,  L1NN.KU8,  Syst.  Nnt.,  1735  (Agassiz).    (Type  P.  major.) 
Head  not  crested;  body  and  head  stout;  tail  moderately  long,  and  slightly 
rounded ;  bill  conical,  not  very  stout,  the  upper  and  under  outlines  very  gently  and 
slightly  convex ;  tarsus  but  little  longer  than  middle  toe ;  crown  and  throat  gener- 
ally black. 

FARTTS  ATSICAPILLlTS.  —  Linrmus. 

The  Black-cap  Titmouse;  Chick-a-dee. 

Panis  ntricapillus,  Linnoius.    Sjst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  341.     Wilson,  Am.  Om.,  I 
(1808)  134.    And.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838). 
Parvs palmtris,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  79. 

Descriition. 

■Second  quill  as  long  as  the  secondaries;  tail  very  slightly  rounded,  lateral 
feathers  about  ten  one-hundredths  shorter  than  middle;  back  brownish-ashy;  top  0* 
head  and  throat  black,  sides  of  head  between  them  white,  beneath  whitish ;  brown- 
ish-white on  the  sides;  outer  tail  feathers,  some  of  primaries,  and  secondaries  con- 
spicHouslj'  margined  with  white. 

Length,  live  inches;  wing,  two  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  tail,  two  and 
fifty  one-hundredths  inches. 

ri'lHIS  well-known  little  bird  is  a  very  common  resident 

JL    of  all  New  England  throiighont  the  year.     It  is  one 

of  tlic  veiy  few  species  that  are  as  abundant  in  the  depths  of 


THE   BLACK-CAP  TITMOUSE. 


18:1 


Hndson's  Bay  Tltmonse,  upper  flg 
Ulnck-cap  Tllmouse,  lower  fl?. 


winter  as  tlirough  the  summer,  and  it  is  deservedly  ono 
of  the  greatest  fiivoritcs.  Tt 
commences  building  as  early  as 
the  second  week  in  May.  The 
nest  is  placed  in  a  hole  exca- 
vated in  a  dead  tree  or  stump. 
This  hole  is,  like  that  of  the 
Woodpecker,  gradually  widened 
at  the  bottom,  and  is  about  nine 
or  ten  inches  in  depth.  The' 
nest  is  constructed  of  soft  moss 
and  the  hairs  of  different  ani- 
mals. One  beautiful  specimen 
that  I  found  in  the  northern 
part  of  Maine  is  composed  of 
the  hair  of  the  common  deer, 
moose,  and  hare,  a  few  feathers 
of  the  Ruflfed  Grouse,  and  a  few  fragments  of  soft  mosses. 
They  are  woven  into  a  warm  and  comfortable  tenement. 

The  eggs  are  from  six  to  ten  in  number,  usually  about 
six.  They  are  of  a  nearly  pure-white  color,  with  a  faint 
reddish  tint,  and  are  spotted  thickly,  at  the  greater  end, 
with  markings  of  reddish-brown  :  their  form  is  nearly  spher- 
ical, and  their  dimensions  vary  from  .65  by  .52  inch  to  .60 
by  .50  inch.     Two  broods  are  often  reared  in  the  season. 

The  habits  of  this  little  bird  are  so  well  known,  and  have 
been  written  about  so  much,  that  any  description  here  is 
almost  superfluous.  It  is  eminently  kindly  and  sociable  in 
its  disposition ;  and,  although  almost  always  in  company 
with  other  birds,  —  such  as  the  Golden-crested  and  Ruby- 
crowned  "Wrens,  Nuthatches,  &c.,  —  it  is  never  seen  quar 
relling  with  them,  but  fraternizes  with  them  in  the  most 
cordial  manner.  Often,  when  seated  in  the  woods,  have  I 
been  surrounded  by  them  ;  and  their  curiosity  to  learn  tho 
cause  of  my  presence  and  my  employment  was  so  great, 
that  they  would  often  perch  on  a  twig  within  two  feet  of  my 


-■■;  ^ 


•") 


1 1 


'■I 


^^ 


I  1 


18  4 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


head,  and  scrutinize  mo  with  their  shining  black  cjcs  in  a 
manner  amusing  to  witness. 

Ostensil)ly,  they  were  searching  beneath  the  bark  for  their 
food ;  but  really  they  were  watching  mo.  I  once  had  one 
perch  on  my  boot,  and  look  in  my  face  with  a  perfectly  plain 
"  what-do-you-want-here"  expression  on  its  countenance. 
Always  at  short  intervals,  while  perched  in  trees,  and  some- 
times while  flying,  this  bird  utters  its  song,  which  consists 
of  several  notes,  that  may  be  described  by  the  syllables 
chciceck-a-dce-dee-dee,  chetveck-a-dee-dee-dee,  emitted  in  a 
clear,  sweet  tone,  easily  recognized,  and  not  to  be  mistaken 
for  any  other  song.  The  flight  of  this  species  is  wavering, 
and  not  protracted;  the  bird  seldom  extending  it  further 
than  from  one  tree  to  another.  When  in  the  air  at  any 
considerable  height,  it  resembles  the  flight  of  the  Wood- 
jicckcrs,  being  undulating  and  partly  gliding. 

In  some  localities,  the  Titmouse  is  regarded  as  injurious, 
from  the  fact  that  it  is  often  seen  among  the  branches  and 
leaves  of  the  fruit-trees  and  shrubs,  pecking  off  and  destroy- 
ing the  biids.  It  docs  not  do  this  to  the  bud  for  food,  but 
really  for  the  grub  contained  in  it.  If  these  buds  be  exam- 
ined after  the  Cliick-a-dee  has  thrown  them  away,  the  bur- 
row of  a  grub  or  caterpillar  will  appear  in  the  very  heart 
of  them.  The  bird  is  able  to  discover  the  presence  of  these 
vermin  much  more  readily  than  man  could ;  and  it  is  thus 
able  to  assail  them  at  a  period  of  their  existence  when  they 
are  doing  the  most  harm.  But  it  is  not  the  insects  and 
their  larva)  alone  that  he  destroys.  His  microscopic  eyes 
enable  him  to  discover  their  eggs  deposited  on  and  in  the 
crevices  of  the  bark  and  in  the  buds,  and  in  an  instant  ho 
can  destroy  the  wliolc  future  brood.  The  eggs  of  the  moth 
of  the  destructive  leaf-rolling  caterpillar,  those  of  the  canker- 
worm,  the  apple-tree  niotli,  and  others  of  these  well-known 
plagues,  arc  greedily  eaten  by  it ;  and  this  is  in  the  inclem- 
ent winter,  when  most  of  our  otlier  birds  have  abandoned 
us  for  a  more  genial  climate. 


THE   HUDSON  S   BAY  TITMOUSE. 


ISf) 


In  the  summer  time,  the  Chick-a-dcc's  liibors  are  more 
easily  noticed;  and  as  he  raises  a  large  l)rood  of  young,  the 
female  laying  six  or  eight  eggs  at  a  litter,  lie  is  very  busy 
tlirougli  the  whole  day  in  capturing  vast  quantities  of  cater- 
pillars, flies,  and  grubs.  It  has  been  calculated  that  a  single 
pair  of  these  birds  destroy,  on  the  average,  not  less  than  five 
hundred  of  these  pests  daily;  a  labor  which  could  hardly  be 
surpassed  by  a  man,  even  if  he  gave  his  whole  time  to  tho 
taslc. 

"  ^Moreover,  the  man  could  not  be  as  successful  at  so 
small  a  cost ;  for,  setting  aside  the  value  of  his  time  and 
the  amount  of  a  laborer's  daily  wages,  he  could  not  reach  the 
denser  and  loftier  twigs  on  which  tho  caterpillars  revel,  and 
wliich  the  Titmouse  can  traverse  with  perfect  ease.  No 
jnan  can  investigate  a  tree,  and  clear  it  of  the  insect  hosts 
that  constantly  beleaguer  it,  without  doing  some  damage  to 
the  buds  and  young  leaves  by  his  rough  handling  ;  whereas 
the  Chick-a-dee  trips  along  the  branches,  peeps  under  every 
loaf,  swings  himself  round  upon  his  perch,  spies  out 
every  insect,  and  secures  it  with  a  peck  so  rapid  that  it  is 
hardly  perceptible." 

In  some  observations  made  on  the  habits  of  this  and 
some  other  birds  in  Paris,  it  was  found  that  the  Titmouse 
destroys,  at  the  lowest  computation,  over  two  hundred 
thousand  eggs  alone  of  noxious  insects  in  the  course  of  a 
year.  That  one  small  bird  is  thus  able  to  accomplish  so 
much  good  in  destroying  these  myriads  of  vermin  is  an 
appeal  to  the  good  sense  of  the  farmer,  for  the  protection  of 
the  whole  class,  that  should  not  be  slighted. 


'"I 


H 


n 


PAEUS  HUDSONICUS.  — For«<er. 
The  Hudson's  Bay  Titmouse. 

Pans  ITmbonicus,  Forstcr.    Philos.  Trans.,  LXII.  (1772)  383,  430.    Aud.  Om 
Biog.,  II.  (If34)  543.     lb.,  Birds  Amer.,  II.  (1841)  155. 

Description. 
Above  yellowish  olivaceons-bro-n'n ;  top  of  head  purer  brown,  not  very  differert. 
in  tint;  chin  and  tliroat  dark  sooty-brown;  sides  of  bead  white;  beneath  white 


■f^^ 


180 


OIXNITIIOLOOY  AND  OOLOC.Y. 


lidts  and  nnal  'cpions  liRlit  bm^vTiiiili-cheRfnuti  no  wliitish  on  wings  or  fnil;  tail 
nearly  oven,  or  8li(,'titly  omarginate  and  rounded;  lateral  feathers  about  twenty  oiie- 
liundrt'iUhs  inch  flinrti'st. 

Lengtli,  al)oiif  five  inclies;  v/'ini^,  two  and  forty  one-hundrcdths  inches;  tail,  two 
and  sixty-six  (]ni;-liiinilrodths  inches. 

/M.  —  \(Mtli-<'iist(jrn  jiDrtiuns  of  North  America  to  the  North  Atlantic  States. 

This  bird  occurs  in  New  England  only  in  tho  most 
northern  parts  of  Maine,  New  Ifanipsiiire,  and  Vermont, 
where  it  is  sometimes  resident.  I  have  never  met  with  it 
alive,  and  will  be  obliged  to  avail  myself  of  Audubon's 
description  of  its  habits,  nest,  <fec.  Ho  says,  in  describing 
tho  nest : — 

"  It  was  placed  at,  the  height  of  not  more  than  three  feet  from 
the  ground,  in  the  hollow  of  a  decayed  low  stump,  scarcely  thicker 
tlian  a  man's  leg ;  the  whole  so  rotten  that  it  crumbled  to  pieces  on 
heing  touched.  I  cautiously  removed  the  woody  enclosure,  and 
took  possession  of  the  nest,  which  I  obtained  in  perfect  order.  It 
was  shaped  like  a  purse,  eight  inches  in  depth,  two  in  diameter 
inside ;  its  sides  about  half  an  inch  thick.  It  was  entirely  com- 
posed of  the  finest  fur  of  different  quadrupeds,  but  principally  of 
the  great  northern  hare,  so  thickly  and  ingeniously  matted  through- 
out, that  it  looked  as  if  it  had  been  'felted*  by  the  baud  of  man. 
It  was  quite  elastic  throughout,  and  rather  wider  at  the  bottom, 
probably  in  consequence  of  the  natural  growth  of  the  young." 


This  hardy  little  bird  resembles  in  its  manners  the  other 
species  of  its  interesting  and  beautiful  tribe :  its  notes 
resemble  those  of  our  southern  Black-headed  Titmouse,  but 
are  much  weaker. 


Sub-Family  SiTTiNiE.  —  The  Nuthatches. 
SITTA,  LiNN.EUs. 

Sitta,  LiNN^us,  Syst.  Nat.  1735  (Agassiz). 

Bill  subulate,  acutely  pointed,  compressed,  about  as  long  ns  tho  bead;  cu.mea 
and  commissure  nearly  strniglit;  gonys  convex  and  ascending;  no.strils  covered  by  a 
tuft  of  bristles  directed  forward;  tarsi  stout,  scutellate,  about  c(|uttl  to  the  middle 
toe,  much  shorter  than  tlic  hiiKler,  tlie  claw  of  which  is  half  the  total  length;  outei 


TFIE   WHITK-nELLIKD   NUTIIATril. 


187 


lateral  top  imicli  Ii)nf,'pr  tlmn  inner,  and  nonrly  pqunl  tn  tlio  miililjpj  tnll  very  nhnrt, 
broad,  aiul  nearly  even,  tbe  foatliers  soft  and  truncate;  winjjs  reaching  nearly  to  tlie 
end  of  the  tail,  long  and  acute,  the  first  priMmry  one-third  of  (or  less)  the  third,  or 
longest. 

SITTA  CAEOLINENSIS.  —  (hneUn. 

Tbe  Wtaite-bellied  Nuthatch. 

SiUn  CnroVmennh,  Latham.  Ind.  Om.,  I.  (1700)  202.  WiI,<on,  Am.  Orn.,  I. 
(180!*)  40.   Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (\><ii)  581.   Aud.  Orn.  Hiog.,  II.  (1831)  299;  V.  (1839)  473. 

Desckiption. 

Above  ashy-blue;  top  of  head  and  neck  black;  under  part.s  and  sides  of  head,  to 
■  short  distance  above  the  eye,  white;  under  tail  coverts  and  tibial  feathers  brown; 
concealed  primaries  white;  bill  stout. 

I.engtli,  about  six  inche!';  wing,  about  three  and  throe-qiiarters  inches. 

Uab.  —  Kastem  North  America  to  the  high  central  plains.  West  of  this,  replaced 
oy  8.  aeulenta. 

This  species  is  a  not  uncommon  one  in  New  England, 
where  it  is  found  through  the  winter.  In  the  more  north- 
ern districts,  it  is  a  summer  resident ;  and  it  reguhirly 
breeds  as  far  south  as  Massachusetts.  A  nest  was  found  in 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  June,  1865.  It  was  made  in  an  exca- 
vation in  a  dead  tree  (or  rather  stump),  which  was  carried 
to  the  depth  of  perhaps  eight  inches.  The  nest  was  com- 
posed of  soft  grasses,  hairs,  and  a  few  feathers :  these  were 
arranged  compactly  in  the  bottom  of  the  hole  to  the  depth 
of  perhaps  an  incli  and  a  half.  The  eggs  were  six  in  num- 
ber, four  of  them  are  now  before  me :  they  are  ovoidal  in 
shape,  of  a  beautiful  roseate-white  color,  and  covered  more 
or  less  thickly  with  fine  spots  and  dashes  of  light-reddish. 
Their  dimensions  are  .80  by  .61  inch,  .80  by  .60  inch,  .78 
by  .58  inch,  .75  by  .57  inch.  Anocher  specimen,  collected 
in  the  Adirondack  Mountains,  is  marked  more  sparingly 
with  coarser  and  darker  spots :  its  dimensions  are  .70  by 
.57  inch. 

The  habits  of  this  species  are  very  similar  to  those  of  tlio 
small  woodpeckers ;  and  they  are  equally  industrious  with 
those  birds  in  their  search  for  the  larva)  and  eggs  of  insects, 
which  they  obtain  by  boring  in  the  bark,  and  knocking  olf 


;:3 

O 

.Mi 


188 


ORNITIIOI.OOY   AND   OOIXKJY. 


Ilie  moHs  and  (load  pieces  of  trees  witli  tlicir  sharp,  powerful 
hill. 

Ill  traversing?  the  limbs  of  trees,  tlioy  rescnihlo  in  their 
movements  the  Downy  Woodpecker;  and  their  lli^^ht  is  also 
similar  to  tiiat  bird's.  The  note  is  a  short,  harsh  call,  simi- 
lar to  the  syllables  cha-cha-cha-ehdy  uttered  quickly,  and  with 
emplK.-is. 

SITTA   CANADENSIS.  —  Linnmu. 
The  Bed-bellied  Nuthatch. 

Sitta  Canndensh,  LintiiPiis.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  ( 1766)  177.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1882)  688. 
Aud.  Om.  IJiog.,  II.  (1834)  24;  V.  474. 

Sitta  varia,  Wileon.    Am.  Om.,  I.  (1808)  40. 

DF.acRimnN. 

Above  nshv-hlne;  top  of  head  black;  a  white  line  above  and  a  black  one  throngh 
the  eye;  chin  wliitc;  rest  of  under  parts  brownish-rusty. 

Length,  about  four  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  two  and  two-thirds  inches. 
IJtib.  —  North  America  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  probably  also  to  tha  Pacific. 

The  same  remarks  as  to  distribution,  habits,  &c.,  will 
apply  to  this  species  as  to  the  preceding.  It  is  quite  abun- 
dant as  a  sv.mmer  resident  in  the  wilds  of  Maine;  and  its 
notes  are  almost  the  first  sound  heard  by  the  traveller  on 
awakening  in  the  early  morning.  I  have  sometimes  heard 
its  note  in  the  night,  while  floating  in  my  canoe  on  the 
bosom  of  some  tranquil  lake  or  between  the  banks  of  a 
sombre  river ;  and  frequently  they  seemed  to  be  high  up 
in  the  air,  as  if  the  bird  had  taken  flight.  These  notes 
are  a  sort  of  drawling  repetition  of  the  syllable  chape,  like 
perhaps  the  following :   Cheadpe,  cheadpe,  cheadpe. 

The  nest  is  built  in  a  hole  in  a  tree  or  stump,  usually 
excavated  by  the  birds  for  the  purpose:  it  is  of  the  same 
description  as  that  of  the  preceding,  as  are  also  the  eggs 
with  the  exception  of  size ;  the  present  being  considerably 
smaller,  averaging  .64  by  .53  inch. 

Audubon,  in  describing  the  nest  of  the  Red-bellied  Nut- 
hatch, says,  — 


THE  RED-nELLIKO   NUTIIATCII. 


18» 


"  I  found  it  building  its  nest  near  Kastport,  in  Maino.  on  tliH 
19th  of  May,  before  the  IJlue-bird  iiud  niiido  its  appearance  there, 
and  wliile  uuu'li  ice  btill  rciiniincd  on  the  noithoru  exposures.  Tlio 
iH'st  is  (bij;  in  a  low,  dea<l  stutni),  .seldom  more  than  four  fret  from 
the  ground;  both  the  nude  and  the  female  working  by  turns  until 
they  have  got  to  the  depth  of  about  fourteen  inches.  The  eggs, 
four  in  number,  are  small,  and  of  a  white  color,  tin;,'*'!  with  a  deep 
biu.sh,  and  sprinkled  with  reddish  dots.  They  rai»o,  I  believe, 
only  ODO  brood  iu  the  Keasou." 

Although  I  found  a  pair  on  Nantucket  in  Juno,  180G, 
which  had  young  without  doubt,  tho  only  other  occurronco 
of  this  bird's  breeding  in  New  England  that  has  come  to 
uiy  knowledge  was  in  West  Roxbury,  Mass.,  m  June,  18G0, 
whouja  nest  was  found  in  an  old  stump  by  my  young  friend, 
William  Minot,  jun.  The  ogga  were  four  in  number,  and 
were  of  the  description  given  above. 


In 

in 


lliO 


OUMiHOLimY    AND   OOL()(JV. 


Family  CKRTIIIIADvE.    The  Crkkpkrs. 

('(."St  primary  very  Hliurl,  Iuhk  IIiuii  liulf  the  ivconil;  iiutcr  latural  toe  murb 
luiiK<'»t;  liinil  toe  cxci'imIIii^'  Imlli  (lii>  iiiiilUli'  tou  uiiil  tli«  turnu.4,  wliicli  in  Bcutelial* 
atilcriorly,  oiul  very  xliort;  bill  HJi^iider,  as  imi^r  u.t,  ur  longer  timn,  tliu  lu'ud,  iiiitcl) 
••(iiiipresst'd  uml  anally  dicurvcd;  cmiy  t'>""ivc,  witliuut  any  notch;  entire  banal 
Joint  of  thu  niiddio  tuvii  united  to  tbu  laturul,  thu  t'euthurit  iitill'i.'iicd  ut  the  tip*;  tail 
long,  cuoeate. 

CKUTIHA,  LiNN.iatt. 

Certhia,  Lin.v.kuh,  Synt.  Nat.,  1735  (liray).  (  I'ypo  C./iimiliiirlt.) 
Hill  08  li)n>{  us  the  head,  sliindur,  much  coinpresKcd  and  dcciirvcd  from  the  bone, 
without  notch  or  rictal  hristluHi  tarsi  diittinutly  scutcllato,  very  Nliort,  not  longer  than 
the  outer  latern<  toes,  which  much  exceedii  thu  inner,  rcucbinK  nearly  as  tar  as  the 
middle  toe;  hind  toe  longer  than  the  middle  one,  its  claw  more  than  hall'  the  total 
length;  cluwa  all  very  lon^  and  acute;  tail  rather  longer  than  the  wings,  arched  or 
vaulted,  graduated  or  cuneate;  the  feathent  very  acute  at  the  tips,  thu  shatU  stJAT- 
ened;  first  primary  rather  more  than  one-third  the  fourth  or  longest  one;  color 
•hove  brown,  streaked  with  white,  beneath  white. 


CERTHIA  AJAERIGAH A.  —  Buiwpnrte. 
The  American  Creeper. 


Aud.  Om.  Blog.,  V. 


Certhia  Amencnna,  Bonaparte.    Conep.  List  (1888). 
Certhia  familiaris,  Wilson.    Am.   Orn.,  I.  (1808)  122 
(1839)  168. 

DEScnimoN. 

Kill  about  the  length  of  tlic  head;  above  dark-brown,  with  a  fllightly  rufous 
Bhadc,  each  feather  streaked  centrally,  but  not  abruptly,  with  whitish;  rump  rusty; 
beneath  almost  silky-whito;  the  under  tail  coverts  with  a  faint  rusty  linge;  a  white 
streak  over  the  eye;  the  ear  coverts  streaked  with  whitish;  tail  feathers  brown  cen- 
trally, the  edfies  paler  yellowish-brown ;  wings  with  a  transverse  bar  of  pule  reddish- 
white  across  both  webs. 

Length,  about  live  and  fifty  one-huudredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  sixty  one- 
hundredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  ninety  one-bundredths  inches. 

ffab.  —  North  America  generally. 

THIS  species  is  a  resident  of  the  three  southern  New- 
England  States  through  the  year :  in  the  otlior  States, 
it  is  not  a  common  summt^*  visitor.  It  arrives  from  the 
South  about  the  middle  of  April,  and,  on  p;iiring,  com^ 
mences  building  about  the  second  week  in  May.     The  nesi 


TIIR   AMKUICAN   CUKKrKR. 


m 


iH  bulk  in  a  hollow  limb  of  a  troo,  in  a  doticrlod  noMt  of  a 
woodpecker  or  Hquirrel,  or  a  holu  in  a  fonco-post.  Usually 
the  locality  is  chosen  in  tli«j  dcop  woods,  and  Hcldoni  near 
dwellings  or  in  the  orchards.  The  nuiUirials  used  in  the 
construction  are  soft  grasses,  feathers,  and  the  l)ark  of 
the  cedar  and  grape-vine.  The  eggs  are  usuidly  about  six  in 
number:  their  color  is  a  dull-gray;  and  they  are  marked, 
thickest  near  tho  great  end,  with  small  sjiots  <if  reddish- 
brown,  and  a  few  dabs  of  a  darker  color.  Mr.  Allen  speaks 
of  a  nest  Iteiiig  found  "  in  a  large  elm  in  Court  S(iinire, 
Springfield,  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  and  built  behind 
a  strip  of  thick  bark  that  projected  in  such  a  way  as  to  leave 
a  protected  cavity  behind  it."  Dimensions  of  eggs  average 
about  .70  by  .50  inch.  But  oao  brood  is  reared  in  the 
Beasou  in  New  England. 


1 

■••1 


192 


ORNITUOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  TROGLODYTlDiE.     The  WuiiNS. 

"Rictal  bristles  wanting;  the  loral  feathers  with  bristly  points;  the  frontal  fcatlicrs 
generally  not  reaching  to  nostrils;  nostrils  varied,  exposed  or  not  covered  by 
leathers,  and  piierally  overhung  by  a  seale-like  membrane;  bill  usually  without 
notch;  wings  much  rounded,  about  equal  to  tail,  which  is  graduated;  piiuiaries  ten, 
the  first  generally  abnut  half  the  second;  basal  joint  of  middle  toe  usually  united  to 
half  the  basal  joint  of  inner,  and  the  whole  of  that  of  the  outer,  or  more;  lateral 
toes  about  eciual,  or  the  outer  a  little  the  longer;  tarsi  scutellate."  —  Uaiuu. 

CISTOTHGUUS,  Cabanis. 

Cistothofus,  Cabanis,  Mus.  Ilein.  (1850-51),  77.  (Type  TivijMijUsi  stellaris.) 
Bill  about  as  Innjr  a?  *'i'i  head  or  much  shorter,  much  conii)ressed,  not  notched, 
gently  decurved  from  the  middle;  the  gonys  slightly  concave  or  straight;  toes 
reaching  to  tlie  end  of  the  tail;  tarsus  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  hind  toe  longer 
tlian  the  lateral,  sliorter  ilian  the  middle,  lateral  toes  about  equal,  hind  toe  longer 
than  or  e(iual  to  its  digit;  wings  rather  longer  than  the  tail,  all  the  feathers  of  which 
are  much  graduated,  the  lateral  only  two-thirds  the  middle;  the  feathers  narrow; 
back  black,  conspicuously  streaked  with  white. 


CISTOTHORUS   PALUSTEIS.  —  CabanU. 
The  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

Certhia  pall    , -is,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  IL  (1810)  58. 

Troylodytes  pntustris,  IJonaparte.  Obs.  Wils.  (1824),  No.  66.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog., 
I.  (1831)  500;  V.  (1839)  467. 

Thryothorus  paluatrit,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  439. 

Desckiition. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head;  tail  and  wing  nearly  equal;  upper  parts  of  a  dull 
reddish-brown,  except  on  the  crown,  interscapular  region,  outer  surface  of  tertiaU, 
and  tail  featli»rs,  which  art  almost  black,  —  the  first  with  a  median  patch  like  the 
ground-color;  the  second  with  short  streaks  of  white,  extending  round  on  the  sides 
of  the  neck;  the  third  indented  with  brown;  the  fourth  barred  with  whitish,  de- 
creasing ill  amount  from  the  outer  feather,  which  is  marked  from  the  base  to  the 
(itth,  where  it  is  confined  to  the  tips;  the  two  middle  feathers  above  like  the  back, 
and  barred  throughout  with  dusky;  beneath  rather  pure-white,  the  sides  and  under 
tail  coverts  of  a  lighter  shade  of  brown  than  the  back;  a  white  streak  over  the  eye. 

Length,  five  and  fit>y  one-hundrcdths  inches;  wing,  two  and  eight  one-hundredths 
mches;  tail,  two  inches. 

Unb. — North  America  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific,  north  to  Greenland. — Rein- 

HAUDT. 


^\   *; 


•It*' 


•<  fi« 


-^  hi 


"^f. 


WM 


r 


r////  -r/y//r^ 


V. 


>//r/ 


Z/'// 


MME    &    FEMAte. 


Xi'»  Kiiu  l.iili.S'.  ii.il'iL'CV.  -'in 


THl 
is 
not  un 
States, 
is  conf 
It  mal< 
present 
and  gt 
whicli 
exceed 
Ho  saj 

May,  0 
called  s 
water  c 
places  i 
from  th 
and  a  s{ 
notes,  i 
Standir 
month 
to  that 
boggy 
"Wren : 
to  exce 
liarly  h 
and  pe 
contem 
a  nest 
inferioi 
ren.     ' 
well  it 
small 
which 
admiss 
sometii 
resists 


THE   LONG-BILLED   MARSH   WREN. 


193 


THIS  interesting  and  not  generally  well-known  little  bird 
is  a  summer  inhabitant  of  Now  England.  Althongh 
not  uncommon  in  Massachusetts  and  the  other  two  southern 
States,  it  seldom  ventui'es  north  of  the  first  State,  where  it 
is  confined  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  salt-water  marshes. 
It  makes  its  appearance  about  the  middle  of  May ;  and  its 
presence  is  soon  made  known  by  its  lively,  chattering  song, 
and  grotesque  dodgings  among  the  reeds  and  tall  grass  in 
which  it  makes  its  home.  I  cannot  refrain  from  giving  the 
exceedingly  interesting  account  of  its  habits,  &c.,  by  Wilson. 
He  says,  — 

"  The  Marsh  Wren  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  middle  ot 
May,  or  as  soon  as  the  reeds  and  a  species  of  nymphea,  usually 
called  splatter-docks,  which  grow  in  great  luxuriance  along  the  tide- 
water of  our  rivers,  are  sufficiently  high  to  shelter  it.  To  such 
places  it  almost  wholly  limits  its  excursions,  seldom  venturing  far 
from  the  river.  Its  food  consists  of  flying  insects  and  their  larvce, 
and  a  species  of  green  grasshopper  that  inhabits  the  reeds.  As  to  its 
notes,  it  would  be  mere  burlesque  to  call  them  by  the  name  of  song. 
Standing  on  the  reedy  borders  of  the  Schuylkill  or  Delaware,  in  the 
month  of  June,  you  hear  a  low  crackling  sound,  somewhat  similar 
to  that  produced  by  air-bubbles  forcing  their  way  through  mud  or 
boggy  ground  when  trod  upon.  This  is  the  song  of  the  Marsh 
Wren :  but  as,  among  the  human  race,  it  is  not  given  to  one  man 
to  excel  in  every  thing,  and  yet  each  perhaps  has  something  pecu- 
liarly his  own  ;  so,  among  birds,  we  find  a  like  distribution  of  talents 
and  peculiarities.  The  little  bird  now  before  us,  if  deficient  and 
contemptible  in  singing,  excels  in  the  art  of  design,  and  constructs 
a  nest  which,  in  durability,  warmth,  and  convenience,  is  scarcely 
inferior  to  one,  and  far  superior  to  many,  of  its  more  musical  breth 
ren.  This  is  formed  outwardly  of  wet  rushes  mixed  with  mud, 
well  intertwined,  and  fashioned  into  the  form  of  a  cocoanut.  A 
small  hole  is  left  two-thirds  up  for  entrance,  the  upper  edge  of 
which  projects  like  a  pent-house  over  the  lower  to  prevent  the 
admission  of  rain.  The  inside  is  lined  with  fine  soft  grass,  and 
sometimes  feathers ;  end  the  outside,  when  hardened  by  the  sun, 
resists  every  kind  of  weather.    This  nest  is  generally  suspended 

U 


8 


til 


194 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


among  the  reeds,  above  the  reach  of  tlie  liighest  tides,  and  is  tied 
8o  fast  to  every  part  of  the  surrounding  reeds  as  to  bid  defiance  to 
the  winds  and  tiie  waves.  The  eggs  are  usually  six,  of  a  dark-fawn 
color,  and  very  small.  The  young  leave  the  nest  about  the  20th  of 
June,  and  they  generally  have  a  second  brood  in  the  same  season." 

I  am  unable  to  add  any  thing  of  value  to  this  description. 
Several  nosts  in  my  collection,  from  various  localities  in 
'few  England  and  elsewhere,  agree  with  the  above  descrip- 
tion of  nest.  They  are  formed  of  reeds  and  grasses  twined 
strongly  together  in  a  bulky  fabric;  and  the  entrance,  a 
small  round  hole,  is  on  one  side  (facing  the  south  always, 
I  believe).  The  cavity  is  deep,  and  lined  with  soft  grasses 
and  feathers.  The  eggs  arc  of  a  mahogany-color,  with  fine 
dots  covering  the  entire  surface.  These  dots  are  darker  than 
the  ground-color,  and  so  fine  as  to  be  hardly  visible.  A  great 
number  of  eggs  in  my  collection  vary  from  .60  by  .48  to  .56 
by  .42  inch  in  dimensions. 


CISTOTHOBUS   STELLASIS.  —  Coianur. 
The  Short-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

Cistothorus  stellaris,  Cabanis.    Mus.  Hein.  (1851),  77.     Type. 

Troglodytes  brerirostris,  Nut'all.  Trans.  Amer.  Acad.  Arts  and  Sc,  New  Ser.,  L 
(1S33)  98,  with  figure  (quoted  in  Manual,  though  date  of  volume  is  subsequent  to 
1832).     lb.,  Man.,  I.  (1832)  438.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IL  (T834)  427;  V.  (1839)  469. 

Description. 

Hill  very  pliort,  scarcely  half  the  length  of  the  head;  wing  and  tail  about  equal; 
hinder  part  of  the  crown  and  the  scapular  and  interscapular  region  of  the  back  and 
ruu'p  almost  black,  streaked  with  white ;  tail  dusky,  the  feathers  barred  throughout 
witli  brown  (the  color  grayish  on  the  under  surface);  beneath  white;  the  sides,  upper 
part  of  the  breast,  and  under  tail  coverts  reddish-brown ;  upper  parts,  with  the  excep- 
tions  mentioned,  reddish-brown. 

Length,  four  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  one  and  seventy-five  0L«» 
hun.lredths  inch;  tail,  one  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inch. 

f/'ib.  —  Eastern  UnitPd  States  to  the  Loup  fork  of  Platte. 

Like  the  preceding  species,  this  bird  is  limited  to  the 
southern  districts  of  New  England ;  Massachusetts  being  its 
northern  limit.  It  makes  its  first  appearance  about  the 
middle  of  May,  sometimes  a  little  earlier.    The  nest  is  built 


TROGLODYTES. 


195 


about  the  last  week  in  May:  it  is  constructed  of  grasses  and 
sedg vS,  and  is  pensile,  or  rather  suspended  in  tall  grass  in 
fresli-Avater  meadows,  which  is  woven  into  the  body  of  the 
fabric.  I  have  never  noticed  any  mud  in  the  materials,  and 
doubt  if  any  is  used.  The  entrance  is  on  the  side  ;  it  is  a 
small  hole,  just  under  the  greatest  bulge  of  the  nest :  the 
whole  fabric  is  lined  with  soft  down  from  flying-seeds,  and 
sometimes  a  few  feathers.  The  eggs  are  sometimes  eight  or 
nine  in  number,  usually  about  six :  their  color  is  piii'e-whitc, 
and  the  shell  is  extremely  thin  and  brittle.  The  dimension  i 
vary  from  .57  by  .44  to  .50  by  .40  inch.  But  one  l)rood  is 
reared  in  New  England. 

The  habits  of  this  bird  are  not  so  well  known  :-s  those  of 
the  preceding,  as  it  is  a  much  more  shy  bii  J,  and  always 
avoids  the  presence  of  man.  When  its  nest  is  approached, 
it  hovers  near  the  intruder,  chattering  and  scolding  in  a 
violent  manner.  It  is  hardly  ever  seen  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  salt  water,  and  seems  to  be  found  onl  •  in  the  mead- 
ows in  the  vicinity  of  fresh  water :  its  food  asists  princi- 
pally of  small  insects,  and  spiders,  which  it  is  almost 
constantly  employed  in  capturing.  Its  song  is  short,  and 
consists  of  a  repetition  of  the  syllables,  'che,  ^chet,  de-de-de- 
de-de.  This  is  uttered  when  the  bird  is  perched  on  a  low 
bush,  or  tuft  of  grass.  A  peculiarity  of  this  bird,  and  also 
of  the  preceding  species,  is  its  habit  of  building  a  number  of 
nests  in  the  same  season :  it  is  believed  by  many  persons, 
that  this  is  done  to  secure  protection  ;  because,  when  a 
person  searches  for  the  nest  occupied  by  the  female,  the 
male  alwajs  decoys  the  intruder  to  the  neighborhood  of  one 
of  these  empty  ones. 


•'2 
i     i'"' 


TRUGLODY'IES,  Vikillot. 

T-"3hd!jUs,  ViEiLLOT,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  II.  (1807)  52.    (Type  T.  cedon.) 

Wings  longer  than  the  tiiil,  or  nearly  equal;  tail  rounded,  the  lateral  feathers 

p-aduated;  hind  claw  shorter  than  the  rest  of  the  toe;   back  brown,  obsoletely 

waved  with  dusky;  bill  nearly  aa  long  as  the  head. 


196 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


TROGLODYTES  aiDON.  —  lleillot. 
The  House  Wren. 

Troijhihjtes  mlm,  Vioillnt.     ()i^^.  Am.  Sept.,  II.  (\6^')  62.     Ami.  Cm.  Biog.,  I. 

(18.31)427;  V.  (IHSU)  470. 

{(illvin  (hmesticfi,  Wilson.     Am.  Orii.,  I.  (1S08)  129. 
TroijUxliilts  fulvus,  Nuttull.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  422. 

Descriptiox. 

Tail  and  wings  abont  equal;  bill  phorter  than  the  head;  above  reddish-bMwn, 
darker  toward.4  the  head,  brighter  on  the  rump;  the  feathers  everywhere,  except  on 
the  liead  and  neck,  barred  with  dusky;  obscurely  so  on  the  back,  and  still  less 
on  tlie  nnnp;  all  the  tail  leathers  barred  from  the  base;  tlie  contrast  more  vivid  on 
the  exterior  ones;  beneath  pale  fulvous-white,  tinged  with  light-brownish  across  the 
breast ;  tlie  jiosterior  parts  rather  dark-brown,  obscurely  ba.ided ;  under  tail  coverts 
\vliitisli,  with  dusky  bars;  an  indistinct  line  over  the  eye,  eyelids,  and  loral  region, 
whitish ;  clieeks  brown,  streaked  with  whiti.  a. 

Len"-tli,  four  and  ninety  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  eight  one-hun- 
drodths  inches;  tail,  two  inches. 

y/,,6. Eastern  United  States  to  the  Missouri,  or  to  tlie  high  central  plains. 

The  bill  of  this  species,  even  tVom  the  extreme  base,  is  shorter  than  the  head. 
The  wing  is  very  nearly  equal  to  the  tall,  and  reaches  over  its  basal  fourth.  The 
tail  is  moderately  graduated,  the  lateral  feather  about  .32  of  an  inch  shorter  than  tho 
middle.    The  outstretched  feet  reach  about  to  the  end  of  the  taiL 

There  are  a  few  whitish  spots  on  the  wing  coverts. 

This  interesting  and  well-known  little  bird  is  A'cry  gen- 
erally distributed  throughout  New  England.  It  arrives  from 
the  South  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  May,  and  soon  appears 

about  its  old  haunts  in  the  gar- 
den and  orchard.  The  famili- 
arity of  this  species  with  man 
is  well  known ;  and  comfortable 
quarters  are  provided  for  its 
reception,  oftentimes  in  the 
piazza  of  a  dwelling-house,  or 
in  the  casement  of  a  window. 
Tiiis  little  bird  is  rather  quar- 
relsome, and  often  drives  from 
its  home  the  Blue-bird  and  Martin,  occupying  the  prepared 
nest  for  its  own  domicile.  When  building  a  nest  of  its  own, 
it  selects  a  hole  in  a  tree,  or  post  in  a  fence,  and  fills  the 
whole  cavity  with  sticks  and  twigs :  this  mass  is  hollowed 


THE   WINTER   WREN. 


191 


in  tho  centre,  and  lined  with  fine  grasses,  feathers,  wool,  and 
other  soft  materials.  Tho  eggs  are  usually  six  in  numljer, 
Bometimes  eight,  and  I  have  known  as  many  as  ten  being 
found  in  one  nest :  their  color  is  a  jtale-reddish  fk'sh-color, 
covered  with  fine  dots  or  sprinlcling  of  a  darker  color. 
Dimensions  vary  from  .02  by  .SO  to  .59  by  .48  inch.  Occar 
sionally,  two  broods  are  reared  in  the  season ;  but,  as  a 
general  thing,  one  brood  only.  The  wrens  are  extremely 
beneficial  in  the  garden  and  orchard  :  they  destroy  immense 
numbers  of  insects  and  their  larva),  and  are,  in  consequence 
of  their  sociable  habits  and  pleasant  dispositions,  gi-eat  favor- 
ites. It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  a  good  word  in  their 
favor,  as  thoy  are  well  appreciated  and  protected. 

As  with  many  other  birds,  this  species,  although  very 
generally  distributed,  is  not,  by  any  means,  regularly  spread 
through  these  States.  It  may  be  quite  abundant  in  one 
town ;  and  in  another,  perhaps  five  miles  oif,  not  an  indi- 
vidual is  to  be  seen.  In  Cambridge,  Mass.,  it  is  one  of  the 
most  abundant  of  birds  ;  but,  in  Newion  or  Dorchester,  it  is 
comparatively  rare.  I  cannot  account  for  this  irregularity, 
and  have  never  heard  a  plausible  or  satisfactory  reason  for 
it  given.  Some  species  of  insects,  which  are  favorites  with 
it  for  food,  may  possibly  be  found  less  abundantly  in  some 
localities  than  in  others ;  but  I  am  unable  to  say  if  this  is 
the  case,  since  I  do  not  know  of  any  particular  insect  which 
this  bird  prefers.  Numbers  that  I  have  examined,  con- 
tained ill  their  stomachs  spiders  in  abundance ;  but  what 
species  they  were,  or  what  were  their  peculiar  localities,  I 
am  ignorant. 


'K' 


,  M 


?? 


TBOGLODTTES  HTEMAIIS. 
The  Winter  Wren. 


VitiUot. 


Hylvia  troglodytet,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  I.  (1808)  139. 

Troglodytes  hjemalis,  Vieillot.  Nouv.  Diet.,  XXXIV.  (1819)  514.  Aud.  Om. 
Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  430. 

Troylodytea  Ewopmis,  Bonaparte.  Obs.  Wils.  (1825),  No.  137.  Nult.  Man.,  I 
18iJ2^  427. 


IDS 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


Deschiition. 

Hill  very  gtraiglit,  slender,  and  conical;  shorter  than  the  head;  tail  considerably 
sliiirter  lliiiii  the  wingH,  which  reach  to  its  middle;  upiier  parts  reddish-brown, 
betoiiiiiig  blighter  to  the  ruuiii  and  tail;  everywhere,  exce])t  on  the  head  and  upper 
part  ut'  the  back,  with  transverse  bars  of  diislsy  and  of  lighter;  scapulars  and  wing 
C'()\erls  with  s[i(its  of  wliite;  beneath  pale  reddish-brown,  barred  on  the  posterior 
half  of  the  body  with  dusky  and  whitisli,  and  spotted  with  white  more  anteriorly; 
outer  well  of  primaries  similarly  spotted  with  pale  brownish-white;  an  indistinct 
pale  lino  over  the  eye. 

LeiiKth,  about  four  inches;  v/ing,  one  and  sixty-six  one-hundredths  inch;  tail, 
one  and  twenty-six  onc-hundredths  inch. 

Ilab.  —  North  America  generally. 

This  bird  is  quite  abundant  in  the  three  northern  New- 
England  States,  and,  as  a  winter  visitor,  is  not  uncommon 
in  tlie  others.  Wilson  gives  the  following  account  of  its 
habits :  — 

"This  little  stranger  visits  us  from  the  north  'n  the  mouth  of 
October,  sometimes  remaining  with  us  all  the  wintsjr,  and  is  always 
obfierved,  early  in  spring,  on  his  route  back  to  bis  breeding-place. 
Ill  size,  color,  song,  and  manners,  he  approaches  nearer  to  the 
European  Wren  {M.  troglodytes)  than  any  other  species  we  have. 
During  his  residence  here,  he  frequents  the  projecting  banks  of 
creeks,  old  roots,  decayed  logs,  small  bushes,  and  rushes,  near 
watery  places :  he  even  approaches  the  farm-house,  rambles  about 
the  wood-pile,  creeping  among  the  interstices  like  a  mouse.  With 
tail  erect,  which  is  his  constant  habit,  mounted  on  some  projecting 
point  or  pinnacle,  he  sings  with  great  animation.  Even  in  the 
yards,  gardens,  and  outhouses  of  the  city,  he  appears  familiai,  and 
quite  at  home.  In  short,  he  possesses  almost  all  the  habits  of  the 
European  species.  He  is,  however,  migratory,  which  may  be 
owing  to  the  superior  coldness  of  our  continent.  Never  having 
met  with  the  nest  and  eggs,  I  am  unable  to  say  how  nearly  they 
approximate  to  those  of  the  former." 


I  know  nothing  of  the  breeding  habits,  nest,  or  eggs  of 
this  species.  It  has,  whale  in  its  summer  home,  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  warbling  songs  that  I  ever  heard. 


THL    WARBLERS. 


100 


Family  SYIAqCOLIDiE.    Tiik  Wauhi.kks. 


rrimaries  nino,  the  first  quill  nearly  as  long  as  tlie  second  or  third;  tarsi  dis- 
tinctly scutellute  the  whole  length  anteriorly;  hill  i(jnical,  slender,  or  depressed. 
UBually  halt'  tlio  length  of  head,  more  or  less  bristled  or  notched;  nostril-*  oval  or 
founded;  lateral  toes  nearly  or  quite  e<|ual,  and  shorter  than  the  middle;  the  hasui 
joint  of  the  middle  free  nearly  to  its  base  externally,  united  for  about  half  inter- 
nally. 

This  family  is  well  marked  by  its  scutellate  tarsi  in  front,  the  absence  of  any 
spurious  or  short  first  primary,  and  the  rather  weak,  slender,  conical,  or  depressed, 
sometimes  decurved,  bill.  The  base  of  the  bill,  with  the  nostrils,  is  not  covered  in 
any  genera  by  seta;,  as  in  Pants,  Atauda,  &c.  In  many  respects,  there  is  a  close 
relationship  to  some  Frinijillida;  and  there  are  some  I'ornis,  such  as  the  TiimiijriiUe, 
which  it  is  difficult  to  assign  to  the  one  family  rather  than  to  the  other.  The  chief 
ditFerence,  however,  is  to  be  found  in  the  longer,  slonderer,  and  less  abruptly  conical 
bill  of  the  Tannycrs. 

The  following  synopsis  will  serve  to  point  out  the  sub-families  of  the  Sylci- 
colidce :  — 

MoTACiLLiN.K.  —  lUU  slcndcr;  culmen  slightly  concave  at  base;  legs  long; 
claws  but  little  curved;  hind  toe  considerably  longer  than  the  middle  one;  its  claw 
much  longer  (twice)  than  the  middle  claw;  all  the  claws  but  slightly  curved;  tcr- 
tials  elongated,  much  longer  than  the  secondaries. 

Sylvicklin.k.  —  Bill  rather  slc.ider,  conical  or  depressed;  culmen  straight  or 
convex;  hind  toe  shorter  than  the  middle;  the  claws  all  much  curved;  hind  claw 
not  conspicuously  longer  than  the  middle  one;  when  the  hind  toe  is  lengthened,  it 
is  usually  in  the  digit,  not  the  claw;  tertials  generally  not  longer  than  the  second- 
aries. 

TANAc.itiN.E.  —  Bill  very  stout,  conical,  as  high  as  broad,  or  considerably 
broader  than  high;  tarsi  short,  not  exceeding  the  hind  toe;  claws  much  cur\'ed,  the 
hinder  scarcely  larger  than  the  middle  anterior. 


•'4       "  t^ 

n 


Sub-Family  Motacillin^. — The  Wagtails. 
ANTHUS,  Beciistein. 

Anthus,  Beciistein,  Gemein.  Naturg.  Deutschl.,  1802  (Agassiz).  (Type  Alaudd 
ipindetla. ) 

Bill  slender,  much  attenuated,  and  distinctly  notched;  a  few  short  bristles  at  the 
base;  culmen  concave  at  the  base;  tarsi  quite  distinctly  scutellate,  longer  than 
the  middle  toe,  inner  lateral  toe  the  longer;  hind  toe  rather  shorter  than  tl"-  tarsus, 
but  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  owing  to  the  long,  attenuated,  and  moueratcly 
curved  hind  claw,  which  is  considerably  more  than  half  the  total  length  of  the  too ; 
tail  rather  long,  cmarginate ;  wing  very  long,  considerably  longer  than  the  ler  h- 
ened  tail,  reachin',  to  its  middle;  the  first  primary  nearly  equal  to  the  longest;  the 
tertials  almost  as  ong  as  the  primaries. 


200 


OKNirilOLOGY   AND   OULO(iY. 


ANTHUS   LUD0VICIANU3.  -  l.icht. 

The  TiMark. 

Atiiuild  Liulin'iriituii,  (■iiii'liti.     KvHt.  Nat ,  I.  (1788)  7'J3. 
Aiitlius  Liu/uriri'iiwt,  Liclit.    Verz.  (lha:i),  37,  No.  421.    And.  Sjm.  (1838),  04. 
Ahwiu  )ii/a,  ^Vil.1oll.     y\ni.  Orii.,  V.  (1«12)  80. 

Aniliiis  sj'iiwhWi,  Auaulj.iii,  Orii.  Hioj,'.,  I.  (1832)  408,  V.  (1830),  440.  Nutt 
Mum.,  r.  {\KVi)i-M. 

Anlhua iilpiaii,  Aiiduljoii.    Orii.  Uiog.,  I.  (1882)  408,  V.  (1880)  440. 

Desckiition. 

Female,  in  (i|ii'inK.)  Above  olivu-brown,  each  fcnllicr  8lif,'htly  darker  towards 
tlie  iciilrnl  portion;  beiioatli  pale  dull-bitr,  or  yellowish-brown,  with  a  miixillury 
series  of  dark-browii  .xpots  and  streaks  across  the  breast  and  aloiit;  sides;  rinj} 
round  the  eye,  and  siipereiliary  stripe  yellowish;  central  tail  feathers  like  the  back, 
others  (lark  blai  kisli-brown,  the  external  one  white,  except  at  the  base  within,  a 
while  s|)iit  at  the  end  of  the  second;  ))riniarie8  edged  with  whitish,  other  quills  witb 
pale-lirownish. 

Lenfith,  six  and  tll>y  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  forty-five  one- 
huiiilreillhs  inches;  tail,  two  and  ninety-live  one-hundredths  inches. 

Il'ih.  —  North  America  generally.  Greenland  (IJeiuhardt).  Accidental  in  Eu- 
rope. 

riUIIS  bird  is  a  not  uncommon  fall  and  spring  visitor  in 
jL  New  England;  and,  in  the  southorn  parts  of  these 
States,  in  mild  seasons,  it  remains  through  the  entire  winter. 
It  is  most  frequently  found  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  sea- 
coast  or  its  large  marshes,  and  in  large  tracts  of  level,  drj, 
weedy  pastures  and  fields. 

While  with  us,  it  flics  in  loose,  detached  flocks,  in  a  jerk- 
ing, irregular  sort  of  flight,  uttering  occasionally  its  feeble, 
lisping  (fleet,  queet.  It  seems  always  busily  employed, 
either  on  the  beach,  in  gathering  the  small  shell-fish  and 
animalcules  thrown  up  by  the  tide,  or,  in  pastures  and 
stubble-fields,  in  gleaning  the  seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses : 
it  also  feeds  upon  spiders  and  such  insects  as  it  is  able  to 
find  in  the  dead  grass  and  weeds. 

As  this  species  breeds  in  the  most  northern  parts  of  the 
continent,  I  am  unable  to  give  any  account  of  its  breeding 
hal)its ;  and,  having  no  egg  in  my  collection,  I  can  give 
no  description  of  it  here.  Nuttall  says  the  "  nest  is  built 
in  the  fissures  of  cliffs,  is  composed  of  dry  grass  and  a 


THK   BLACK    AND   WHITE   CUKKI'Ktl. 


201 


little  mosfi,  and  liiiud  with  liaor  hlados  of  tlio  I'urinor  and  a 
few  long  hairs.  The  eggs  are  four  or  five  in  number,  of 
a  suUied-whitc  color,  and  covered  with  small  brown  spots, 
collected  chiefly  towards  the  larger  end." 


Sub-Family  SYLViCOLiNiE.  —  Tlie  Wood-warblers. 
MNIOTILTA,  ViEiLU)T. 

MniMta,  ViKiLurr,  AimlyRC,  1810  (Agassiz). 

General  form  sylvicoline;  bill  rather  loiiic,  compressed,  shorter  than  the  head, 
with  veiy  short  rictal  bristles  and  a.  shallow  notch;  wings  considerably  longer  than 
the  tail,  which  is  slightly  roundeil;  first  quill  shorter  than  second  and  third;  tarsi 
rather  short;  toes  long,  middle  one  equal  to  the  tarsus;  hind  too  nearly  as  long,  the 
claw  considerably  shorter  than  its  digit.    Color  white  streaked  with  black. 

This  genus  differs  from  other  SykicoUnes  in  the  elongation  of  the  toes,  especially 
the  hinder  one,  by  means  of  which  the  species  is  enablvd  to  move  up  and  down  the 
trunks  of  trees,  like  the  true  Creepers.  But  one  species  is  recognized  aa  North 
American,  although  Nuttall  describes  a  second. 


-f1 


MNIOTILTA  VAHIA.— Fi«7fo<. 
The  Black  and  White  Creeper. 

Motncilla  vnria,  Linnirus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  333. 

Mniolilla  vnria,  Vieillot.    Analyse  (1016).    76.,  Galerie  Ois.,  I.  (1634)  270.    Aud. 
Syn.  (1839),  71.    /*.,  Birds  Am.,  il.  (1841)  105. 
"  eykia  vnria,  Bonaparte.     Syn.  (1828),  81.     Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  384. 
Certhia  maculata,\\' ihon.    Am.  Om.,  IIL  (1811)  22. 

Descriition. 

Bill  with  the  upper  mandible  considerably  decurved,  the  lower  straight ;  general 
color  of  the  male  black,  the  feathers  broadly  edged  with  white ;  the  head  all  round 
black,  with  a  median  stripe  in  the  crown  and  neck  above,  a  superciliary  and  a  max- 
illary one  of  white;  middle  of  belly,  two  conspicuous  bands  on  the  wings,  outer 
edfies  of  tcrtials  and  inner  of  all  the  wing  and  tail  feathers,  and  a  .spot  on  the  inner 
webs  of  the  outer  two  tail  feathers,  white ;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverta  black, 
edged  externally  with  white;  female  similar;  the  under  parts  white,  obsoletely 
Btreaked  with  black  on  the  sides  and  under  tail  coverts. 

Length,  five  inches;  wing,  two  and  eighty-five  one-hundredths  in  les;  tail,  two 
tnd  twenty-live  one-hundredths  inches. 

Hah.  —  Eastern  Nortti  America  to  Missouri  River,  south  to  Guatemala. 

This  is  a  rather  common  summer  inhabitant  of  all  New 
England.    It  arrives  from  the  South  before  the  20th  ol 


"':^ 


202 


OnNITIIOLOOY   AND  OO^jOY. 


April,  iiiid  fjoinc'tiiiios  is  soon  !►)'  llio  fu-Mt  week  in  tlial 
luotith.  In  its  liiibitH,  it  ruHcnililos  l>()th  tlio  CreupurH  luiil 
Wurblor.s;  luuving  al)out  tiiu  butlics  and  limbs  of  trues  with 
tin;  (Jiisu  of  I  bo  Ibrnicr,  iiiid  gloaning  lUUongHt  the  Ibliagi;  the 
iiiHoct  hosts  like  the  hitter.  I.  have  sonietinies  srcii  it  sci/.e 
n  Hying  insect  while  on  the  wing,  although  thiii  must  huvo 
been  a  deiiurturo  from  its  general  iiabits. 

The  song  of  the  male  during  the  mating  season  is  a  sort 
of  lisping  n.-nditiou  of  the  syllaltles  whechee,  wht'ihrf, 
wht'cfiei;  whcc/uf,  uttered  at  first  loud,  and  gradually  weak- 
ening to  a  subdued  note,  like  chect.  At  other  times,  it  has 
only  a  faint  cliirp  or  chink,  which  is  uttered  by  both  sexes. 
About  the  lOth  of  May,  after  the  birds  have  paired,  they 
conunenco  building  the  nest:  this,  Autlubou  says,  in  Louis- 
iana "  is  usually  ])laced  iu  some  snudl  hole  iu  a  tree,  and 
is  composed  of  mosses  in  a  dry  state,  and  lined  with  cottony 
Kultstances."  In  New  England,  it  is  almost  always  built,  or 
rather  placed,  on  the  ground  ;  the  situation  is  chosen  usually 
beneath  an  overhanging  point  of  rock,  or  beneath  a  fi'llen 
trunk  of  a  tree :  it  is  made  of  mosses,  straw,  leaveq ,  and 
other  soft  materials,  and  is  lined  with  cotton  from  forns, 
soft  grass,  or  hair.  The  eggs  aro  laid  by  the  middle  of 
May.  They  are  usually  four  or  five  in  number:  their  color 
is  white,  with  a  slight  cream  tinge;  and  they  aro  spotted 
irregularly  with  fine  dots  and  confluent  blotches  of  reddish- 
brown,  thickest  near  the  largest  end  of  the  egg.  Dimen- 
sions of  four  eggs  found  in  a  nest  iu  Reading,  Mass. :  .66 
by  .54  inch,  .(jQ  by  .64  inch,  .65  by  .54  inch,  .65  by  .54 
inch.  Two  broods  aro  occasionally  reared  by  this  species  in 
southern  New  England. 

Probably  the  greater  number  breed  in  more  northern 
localities ;  for  it  is  much  more  common  iu  the  ppring  and 
fall  than  in  summer.  By  the  10th  of  September,  they  move 
on  their  southern  migration;  and,  after  the  15th  or  20th  of 
that  month,  none  are  to  be  seen  in  New  Englana. 


TUK    ULUK    YELLOW-HArKKI)    WAnilLflR. 


208 


I'AKL'I.A,    iiONAI'AIITK. 

Pantld,  KuNAI'AlirK,  (ivim.  ami  rij|ii|i.  IJ^t,  txilH.  (Typp  I'nriu  Ainrriuauui.^ 
In  tlitt  Kpvc'ioK  oC  tliiit  K>'ii»'<  ihu  ''"I  i'*  •'<'>i<>'>il  u"<l  ucutu;  tlio  culmvii  rrry  ffvntty 
cun'cd  th)iii  tilt'  liii!'!';  thu  iiiiiiiiilnHiirr  ^ll({lltly  ciiiiiuvv,  thu  iidIiIi  wIiiii  vinible  in 
furtht^r  t'riiiii  tin:  lip  than  in  llinilniifii,  iiiit  uhuuII.v  \*  liilu'r  hIinuIi'Ii!  it  I'litinly 
wanting;  bri»tli',i  very  nliott;  tliu  tarsi  uru  Icin^iT  tliaii  lln'  niliiitle  tuv;  tliv  tail  ii 
nMrly  evui,  uiiil  cuiisidirubly  liliurtur  tliau  tliu  wing. 


PAEULA  AMEBICAMA.  —  Bonapnrtt. 
Tbe  Blue  Tellow-baoked  Warbler. 

Parut  Ainericanut,  I.iiinxuH.     Sy»t.  Nat.,  I.  {17r)h)  UiO. 

Sjjlrin  Ameriatna.    Ami.  Orii.  lliog.,  I.  (lt-33)  78. 

I'driilii  Amt'iicdtid,  H()iiuf]urtu.     List  (le38).     /&.,  Con»p.  il650),  810. 

Hykia  jmiilu,  Wilauii.    Am.  Urn.,  IV.  (1811)  17. 

l>E8Cltlin'IUil. 

Abovu  blue,  the  luiddlu  of  tliu  baik  with  a  patch  of  ycllowixli-f^rui'n;  benc^atn 
yellow  untoriurly,  whitu  bidiiiid;  a  ruddi.sh-brown  tin^o  acruHs  Ihu  breast;  lures  and 
apace  round  the  eye  dusky;  u  huiuII  white  spot  on  either  eyelid;  Mint  of  head 
and  netk  like  the  crown;  two  conspicuous  white  bands  (ni  tho  wiiif^s;  outer  two  tail 
fcAtherj  with  a  conspicuous  spot  of  white;  female  siini  i,  with  less  brown  on  the 
breast. 

Length,  four  and  seventy-five  onc-hundredths  inches;  winj;,  two  and  thirty-lour 
onc-hundredth.s  inches;  tail,  one  and  ninety  oiio-hundredtlis  inch. 

Iftib.  —  Kastern  North  America  to  tho  Missouri,  south  to  Uuateuiala. 

This  species,  I  am  inclined  to  think,  is  rather  common 
in  all  of  New  England  ;  and  it  nndoubtediy  breeds  more 
or  less  abundantly  in  each  of  these  States.  It  arrives  from 
the  South  about  the  middle  of  May,  sometimes  a  little  ear- 
lier. The  birds,  on  their  arrival,  seem  to  be  mated ;  for 
they  are  almost  alwajs  seen  in  pairs,  often  two  males  with 
one  female.  Their  habits  are  very  similar  to  those  of  tho 
Titmice,  and  they  are  equally  at  home  in  the  high  foliage  of 
trees  and  in  the  low  thickets  and  shrubbery.  When  travel- 
ling through  the  trees,  they  run  nimbly  both  across  and 
along  tho  branches,  sometimes  hanging  head  downwards, 
sometimes  fluttering  at  the  extremity  of  a  small  twig:  they 
are  very  nervous  and  active,  and  are  almost  continually 
employed  in  catching  caterpillars  and  insects,  of  which 
their  food  consists.     While  thus  engaged,  they  emit,  occSf 


c> 


204 


oris'itholj(;y  and  oology. 


sioaally,  a  lecblo  note  like  the  syllables  chcweccJi,  chfweech, 
chcu'cechf  uttered  at  first  low,  and  rapidly  increasing  in 
volume.     Wiien  passing  ti-vough  the  forests  of  Maine  and 
New  ilauipshire,  I  have  seen  numbers  of  these  birds,  par- 
ticularly in  the  neighborhood  of  swamp  3,  flying  from  the 
tups  of   the  huge  hemlocks,  and  seizing  the    small   lace- 
winged   flies    (^ephemerides)    that    are    abundant    in    those 
regions  in  May  and  June.     I  also  noticed  that  they  fed 
largely  upon  the  small  caterpillars  (^geometridte)  ;  and  I  saw 
them  occasionally  descend  to  the  surface  of  a  lake  or  river, 
and  seize  small  sjjiders  ^hat  were  struggling  in  the  water. 
The  habits  of  tliis  bird  ii:  ve  caused  it  to  be  classed  in  many 
different  ways.     LiuiitEus  and  others  placed  it  in  the  genus 
Furus^  Latham   and   many  others   called  it  Sylvia,  some 
have  named  it  Motajilla,  and  Stephens  named  it  Thryo- 
thorus.    It,  however,  l>elongs  properly  among  the  Warblers  ; 
and  the  position  given  it  as  above  seems  its  most  natural 
one.     About  the  first  of  Juno,  the  birds  commence  build- 
ing their  nest :  this  is  jilaced  in  a  foi-k  near  the  end  of  a 
brancli  of  a  tree,  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.     It  is 
usually  constructed  of  the   long,  gray  Spanish  moss  that 
is  so  plentiful  in  the  States  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  and 
Vermont.     A  beautiful  specimen  in  my  collection,  found  in 
Maine   by  John  Krider   of  Pliiladelphia,  who   kindly  pre- 
sented it  to  me,  is  of  this  doscription,  and  one  of  the  most 
curious  specimens  of  bird  architecture :  the  long  hairs  of 
tlie  moss  are  woven  and  twii  ed  together  in  a  large  mass,  on 
one  side  of  which  is  the  entrance  to  the  nest,  a  mere  hole 
lel't  in  the  moss  ;  the  lining  is  nothing   >  it  the  same  mate- 
rial, only  of  a  finer  quality.     There  is  another  nest  of  this 
description  in  the  collection  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative 
Zoology  in  Cambridge,  which  was  also  found  in  Maine.     The 
eggs  are  usually  four  in  number,  and  they  are  laid  about 
the  first  week  in  June.     Tlieir  color  is  white,  with  a  very 
slight  creamy  tint,  and  covered  more  or  less  thickly  with 
spots  and  confluent  blotches  of  brownish-red  and  obscure- 


THE   MARYLAND   YELLOW-THROAT. 


20.') 


lilac,  tliickcst  at  the  large  end.  Two  eggs  in  my  collection 
are  of  the  following  mcasurcnients :  .62  by  .48  inch,  and  .63 
by  .46  inch. 

GEOTHLYPIS,  Cabamis. 

Geothhjph,  Cabanis,  Wiegmann's  Archiv.  (1847),  L  310,  840.  lb.,  Schoinburc;k'a 
Reise  Guiana  (1^48). 

Bill  sylvicoline,  rather  depressed,  and  distinctlj'  notched;  ricfal  bristles  very 
short  or  wanting;  wings  short,  rounded,  scarcely  longer  than  the  tail;  the  first  quill 
shorter  than  the  fourth;  tail  long,  much  rounded  or  graduated;  legs  stout;  tarsi 
elongated  as  the  head;  olive-green  above,  belly  yellow;  tail  feathers  immaculate: 
legs  yellow. 

GEOTHLYPIS  TSICHAS.  —  Cabanit. 

The  Maryland  Yellow-throat. 

Turdus  irklins,  Linna;us.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (17C6)  293. 

Sylvia  triclids,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1832)  120;  V.  (1838)  48a. 

Geolhlypis  Irlcliris,  Cabanis.    Mus.  Hcin.  (1850),  10. 

Sylvia  MarilmuUca,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  (1808)  88. 

Trichas  roacoe,  Nuttall.    Man.,  L  (2d  cd.,  1840)  457. 

Description. 

Upper  parts  olive-green,  tinged  with  brown  towards  the  middle  of  the  crown; 
chin,  throat,  and  breast  as  far  as  the  middle  of  ihe  body,  with  the  under  tail  coverts, 
bright-yellow;  belly  dull  whitish-buff;  sides  of  body  strongly  'ingcd  with  light 
olive-brown ;  under  coverts  glossed  with  the  same ;  a  band  of  black  on  the  fore- 
head (about  twenty  one-hundredths  of  an  inch  wide  in  the  middle),  passing  back- 
ward so  as  to  cover  the  cheek  and  ear  coverts,  and  extending  a  little  above  the  eye ; 
this  band  bordered  behind  by  a  sufl'usion  of  hoary-ash,  forming  a  distinct  line  above 
the  eye,  and  widening  behind  the  ear  coverts  into  a  larger  patch,  with  a  yellow 
tinge.  In  winter  dress,  and  in  the  female,  without  the  black  mask,  the  forehead 
tinged  with  brown,  the  yellow  of  the  throat  less  extended,  the  eyelids  whitish,  and 
an  indistinct  superciliary  line  yellowish. 

Length  of  male,  five  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  forty  one- 
hundredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  twenty  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  bird  is  a  common  inhabitant  of  all  the  New-England 
States.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  second  week  in 
May,  sometimes  earlier,  and  soon  commences  building. 
The  nest  is  usually  placed  on  the  ground,  although  often  in 
thickets  of  briers  and  bushes.  It  is  constructed  of  leaves 
and  grasses,  and  is  lined  with  fine  grasses  and  hairs.  It  is 
often  built  over  at  the  top,  with  the  entrance  through  a  hole 
in  the  side.     The  whole  makes  a  bulky  affair,  almost  imper- 


t  ' : 


206 


ORNITnOLOGT  AND   OOLOGY. 


vioxis  to  water.'     The  eggs  are  laid  about  the  last  week  in 
May  or  first  week  in  June.     They  arc  variable  in  size  and 
markings,  but  are  usually  five  in  number.     To  illustrate 
the  dilference  in  size  and  markings,  I  will  describe  five  eggs 
found  in  a  nest  in  Milton,  Mass.:  No.  1  is  creamy-white  in 
color,  with  numerous  spots  of  dark-brown  and  obscure  spots 
of  lilac  ;  these  markings  are  thinly  scattered  over  the  eggs, 
but  are  quite  thick  at  the  larger  end  :  dimensions,  .70  by 
.52  inch.     No.  2  has  the  same  ground-color,  but  the  mark- 
ings  consist  of   numerous   spots   and   confluent  blotches 
of  light-brown  and  lilac  at  the  large  end  of  the  egg  :  dimen- 
sions, .70  by  .50  inch.     No.  3  is  pure-white,  with  thinly 
scattered  spots  of  brown  and   black  running  like  a  ring 
around  the  larger  fend  of  the  egg ;  dimensions,  .74  by  .50 
inch.     No.  4  is  of  a  pure-white  color,  with  thinly  scattered 
spots  of  light-brown  around  the  larger  end :  dimensions, 
.60  by  .52  inch.     No.  5  of  the  same  color,  size,  and  mark- 
ings as  No.  4.     Other  eggs  of  this  species  in  my  collection 
exhibit  other  markings  from  spots  and  blotches  of  lilac  and 
brown  at  the  larger  end  to  thinly  scattered  dots  of  reddish 
over  tlie  entire  surface  ;  and  one  specimen  has  numei'ous 
irregular  lines  in  a  circle  around  the  larger  end  of  the  egg. 
This  species  rears  two  broods  in  the  season  in  southern 
New  England.      I  have  found  nests  often  as  late  as  the 
middle  of  July.     The  habits  of  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat 
are  well  known.     He  is  first  noticed  in  the  swampy  thickets, 
darting  id  and  out  through  the  tangled  shriibbery.     Soon 
he  makes  his  appearance  in  the  flower-garden  and  orchard, 
where  he  may  be  seen  at  almost  all  times  through  the  breed- 
ing season,  busily  engaged  searching  for  his  insect  food  ; 
occasionally  paiising  to  carol  his  pretty  song,  luhe-tit-te-teey 
whe'tit-te-tee,  then  darting  away  for  a  discovered  insect,  then 
caressing  liif*  mate,  or  flying  to  his  nest  with  food  for  their 
young. 

1  A  nest  sent  me  from  Delaware  is  constructed  of  grasses,  which  are  woven  inta 
•  loose  fabric,  quite  different  from  northern  specimens. 


THE   MOURNING    WAUBLKU. 


207 


In  the  woods,  this  species  is  more  often  found  in  low 
thickets  in  or  near  wet,  swampy  localities,  and  is  very  sel- 
dom seen  in  high,  dry,  heavily  wooded  countries.  It  seems 
to  prefer  the  neighhorhood  of  human  habitations  for  its 
homo,  and  its  genial  disposition  and  beneficial  habits  have 
established  it  as  a  great  favorite  with  the  farmers. 

As  soon  as  the  last  brood  of  young  leaves  the  nest,  the 
old  birds  become  silent ;  and,  by  the  middle  of  September, 
the  whole  family  leave  for  the  South. 

GEOTHLTFIS  PHILADELPHIA.  —  £atVd. 

The  Mourning  Warbler. 

Sylvia  Philadelphia,  Wilson.  Am.  Oni.,  IT.  (1810)  101.  And.  Om.  Biog.,  V. 
(1839)  78.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1882)  404. 

Description. 

"Wings  but  little  longer  than  the  tail,  reaching  but  little  beyond  its  base;  head 
and  neck  nil  round,  with  throat  and  fore  part  of  breast,  ash-gray,  paler  beneath ;  the 
feathers  of  the  chin,  throat,  and  fore  breast  in  reality  black,  but  with  narrow  ashy 
margins,  more  or  less  concealing  the  black,  except  on  the  breust;  lores  and  region 
round  the  eye  dusky,  without  any  trace  of  a  pale  ring;  upper  parts  and  side?  of  the 
body  clear  olive-green;  the  under  parts  bright-yellow;  tail  feathers  uniform  olive: 
first  primary,  with  the  outer  half  of  the  outer  web,  nearly  white.  Female,  with  the 
gray  of  the  crown  glossed  with  olive;  the  chin  and  throat  paler  centrally,  and  tinged 
with  fulvous;  a  dull  whitish  ring  round  the  eye. 

Length,  five  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  forty-five  one-hun- 
drcdths  inches;  tail,  two  and  twenty-five  one-hundrcdthg  inches. 


■:i:ii.: 


;•■■ 


H 


?? 


This  bird  is  very  rarely  found  in  New  England.  It  has 
been  taken  in  all  these  States,  but  in  such  small  numbers 
that  it  can  hardly  be  called  one  of  our  birds.  Mr.  Allen 
shot  two ;  I  have  taken  but  one ;  and  Mr.  Verrill  gives  one 
or  two  instances  of  its  being  taken  in  Maine.  The  specimen 
that  I  captured  had  all  the  motions  and  habits  of  the  Mary- 
land Yellow-throat;  and  I  neglected  to  shoot  it  for  some 
time,  supposing  it  to  be  the  female  of  that  bird.  Its  note 
was  a  simple  chirp,  with  a  warbling  termination  like  the 
syllables  chirpchreee,  chirpchreee,  uttered  in  a  soft,  pensive 
tone.    Of  its  breeding  habits,  nest,  and  eggs,  1  am  ignorant. 


208 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND  OOLOGY. 


OI'DROR-VIS,  Baird. 

Bill  sylvicolinc,  rather  comprcBsed;  distinctly  notched  at  tip;  rictal  bristles  very 
much  reduced;  wings  elongated,  pointed,  much  longer  than  the  tail;  the  first  quill 
nearly  or  quite  the  longest;  tail  very  slightly  rounded;  tail  feathers  acuminate, 
pointed;  the  under  coverts  reaching  to  within  less  than  half  an  inch  of  their  tip; 
tarsi  elongated,  longer  than  the  head;  claws  large,  the  hinder  one  as  long  as  its  digit, 
and  longtT  than  tlie  lateral  toes;  above  olive-green,  beneath  yellow;  tnil  and  wings 
immaculate ;  legs  yellow. 

OPOKO^NIS  AGILIS.— BaiVrf. 

Thi  C  onecticut  Warbler. 

Sylvia  atjilh,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  V.  (1812)  64.    Aud.  Cm.  Biog.,  IL  (1834)  227. 

Syleicnla  ayilis,  Orn.  Biog.,  IL  (1841)  71. 

Trirling  ayilis,  Nuttall.     Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  403. 

Triclms  tephrocutis,  Nuttall.    Man.,  L  (2d  ed.,  1840)  462. 

Description. 

Upper  parts  and  sides  of  the  body  uniform  olive-green,  very  slightly  tinged  with 
ash  on  the  crown;  sides  of  the  head  ash,  tinged  with  dusky  beneath  the  eye  (entire 
head  sometimes  a?h ) ;  chin  and  throat  grayish-ash,  gradually  becoming  darker  to 
the  upper  part  ot  the  breast,  where  it  becomes  tinged  with  dark-ash ;  sides  of  the 
neck,  breast,  and  body  olive,  like  the  back;  rest  of  under  parts  light-yellow;  a 
broad,  continuous  white  ring  round  the  eye;  wings  and  tail  feathers  olive  (especially 
the  latter),  without  any  trace  of  bars  or  spots;  bill  brown  above;  feet  yellow. 

Length,  six  inches;  wing,  three;  tail,  two  and  twenty-flve  one-hundredths. 

This  is  another  very  rare  bird  in  New  England,  and  I 
have  never  met  witli  a  specimen  that  was  taken  north  of 
Massachusetts.  In  West  Roxbury,  of  this  Stai",  in  a  large 
tract  of  pine  forest,  two  or  three  specimens  have  been  taken 
within  as  many  years.  So  far  as  I  can  learn,  this  species 
has  all  the  habits  and  motions  of  the  two  preceding.  It 
has  no  song,  but  utters  the  note  queet  often,  and  in  a 
sprightly  tone,  as  it  searches  among  the  shrubbery  for  its 
favorite  food  of  spiders  and  small  caterpillars. 


ICTERIA,  ViKiLuyr. 

fcteria,  Vieillot,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  L,  (1790)  85. 

Bill  shorter  than  the  head ;  broad  at  the  base,  but  rapidly  becoming  compressed 
or  much  higher  than  broad,  with  the  ridge  elevated  and  sharp  from  the  v-ety  base 
of  the  bill;  the  upper  outline  mucu  curved  throughout;  the  commissure  less  curved. 


THE   YELLOW-BREASTRD   CHAT. 


200 


but  strongly  concave;  the  fjonys  nearly  sfrniplit,  the  upper  cilfje  of  the  lower  jaw  m 
convex  as  the  commissure  is  concave;  no  notcli  in  tne  hill,  and  the  riefal  bristles 
small;  tarsi  longer  than  the  toes,  without  scutellu;,  except  faint  inilieations  on  the 
inner  side;  lateral  toes  about  equal,  shorter  tluin  the  hinder;  wings  alioiit  er|Mal  to 
tlie  tall,  rounded;  the  first  quill  longer  than  the  secondaries;  tail  graduated,  above 
olive,  beneath  yellow;  abdumen,  eyelids,  maxillary  patch,  and  line  to  the  bill, 
white. 

ICTEHIA  nvims.  — Bonaparte. 

The  Tellow-breasted  Chat. 

Musckapa  viridis,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  938. 

Icteria  viriilis,  Bonaparte.  Obs.  Wilson  (1826),  No.  163.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832) 
289.    And.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  223;  V.  433. 

Pipra  polyghtta,  Wilson.    Am.  Orr.,  I.  (1808)  90. 

Description. 

Third  and  fourth  quills  longest,  second  and  fifth  little  shorter,  first  nearly  equal 
to  the  sixth;  tail  graduated ;  upper  parts  uniform  olive-green;  under  parts,  including 
the  inside  of  wing,  f  imboge-yellow  as  far  as  nearly  half-way  from  the  point  of  the 
bill  to  the  tip  of  the  tail ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  tinged  with  brown  on  the  sides ; 
the  outer  side  of  the  tibia  plumbeous ;  a  slight  tinge  of  orange  across  the  breast ; 
forehead  and  sides  of  the  head  ash,  the  lores  and  region  below  the  eye  blackish ; 
a  white  stripe  from  the  nostrils  over  the  eye  and  involving  the  upper  eyelid;  a  patch 
on  the  lower  lid,  and  a  short  stripe  from  the  side  of  the  lower  mandible,  and  running 
to  a  point  opposite  the  hinder  border  of  the  eye,  white;  bill  black;  feet  brown. 
Female  like  the  male,  but  smaller;  the  markings  indistinct;  the  lower  mandible  nut 
pure-black. 

Length,  seven  and  forty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  twenty-five 
one-hundredths  i  tail,  three  and  thirty  one-hundredths  inches. 

Massaf^hiisetts  seems  to  be  the  northern  limit  of  this 
hird's  habitat  in  New  England  ;  and,  even  in  this  State,  it  is 
a  very  rare  species.  Every  season,  for  the  last  three  years,  a 
pair  has  nested  near  Lynn,  in  this  State;  and  Mr.  Allen 
says,  that  they  are  sometimes  seen,  in  the  breeding  season, 
near  Springfield.  I  have  seen  great  numbers  of  these  birds 
in  the  Western  States ;  their  habits,  song,  etc.,  are  well 
described  by  Nuttall  in  the  following  : 

"The  males,  as  in  many  other  migrating  birds,  who  are  not 
continually  paired,  arrive  several  days  before  the  females.  As 
soon  as  our  bird  has  chosen  his  retreat,  which  is  commonly  in  some 
thorny  or  viny  thicket,  where  he  can  obtain  concealment,  he  becomes 
jealous  of  his  assumed  rights,  and  resents  the  least  intrusion,  scold- 
ing all  who  approach  in  a  variety  of  odd  and  uncouth  tones,  very 

14 


210 


OttNlTUOLOGY   AND   OOLOOY. 


dilficiilt  to  (Ic'scrilu;  oi*  imitate,  except  by  a  whistling ;  in  which  rase 
till!  bird  may  lie  made  to  approiich,  hut  seldom  within  sight.  His 
responses  on  such  occasions  are  constant  and  rapid,  expressive  of 
anger  and  anxiety  ;  and,  still  unseen,  liis  voice  shifts  from  place  to 
place  amidst  the  thicket,  like  the  haunting  of  a  fairy.  Some  of 
these  notes  rosonil)le  the  whistling  of  the  wings  of  a  flying  duck, 
at  first  loud  and  rapid,  then  sinking  till  they  seem  to  end  in  single 
notes.  A  succession  of  other  tones  are  now  heard,  some  like  the 
barking  of  young  pui)pios,  with  a  variety  of  hollow,  guttural,  un- 
common sounds,  frequently  repeated,  and  terminated  occasionally 
by  something  like  the  mewing  of  a  cat,  but  hoarser ;  a  tone,  to 
which  all  our  Vireos,  particularly  the  young,  have  frequent  recur- 
rence. All  these  notes  are  uttered  with  vehemence,  and  with  such 
strange  and  various  modulations  as  to  appear  near  or  distant,  like 
the  manonuvrcs  of  ventriloquism.  In  mild  weather  also,  when  the 
moon  shines,  this  gabbling,  with  exuberance  of  life  and  emotion,  is 
heard  nearly  throughout  the  night,  as  if  the  performer  were  dis- 
puting with  the  echoes  of  his  own  voice. 

"  About  the  middle  of  May,  soon  after  their  arrival,  the  icterias 
begin  to  build,  fixing  the  nest  commonly  in  a  bramble-bush,  in  an 
interlaced  thicket,  a  vine,  or  small  cedar,  four  or  five  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  outside  is  usually  composed  of  dry  leaves,  or  thin 
strips  of  grape-vine  bark,  and  with  root-fibres  and  dry,  slender 
blades  of  grass.  The  eggs  are  about  four,  pale  flesh-colored,  spotted 
all  over  with  brown  or  dull-red.  The  young  are  hatched  in  the 
short  period  of  twelve  days,  and  leave  the  nest  about  the  second 
week  in  June." 


177. 


Four  eggs  in  my  collection  exhibit  the  following  dimen- 
sions :  .71  by  .GO  inch,  .70  by  .60  inch,  .68  by  .59  inch,  .67 
by  .68  inch. 

The  food  of  this  bird  consists  of  those  small  insects  and 
spiders  that  arc  found  in  the  thick  shrubbery  of  brier  patches, 
and  on  the  ground  among  the  fallen  leaves.  It  also  occa- 
sionally captures  flying  insects  in  the  manner  of  the  Vireos ; 
and  this  fact  has  caused  it,  more  than  its  peculiarities  of 
form,  to  be  classed  by  some  aiithors  with  those  birds. 

By  the  first  week  in  September,  none  are  seen  in  New 


THE   WORM-EATING   WARBLER. 


211 


England  ;  they  having  left  for  the  tropical  countries  of  South 
America,  where  they  spend  the  winter. 


HELMITHEKUS,  Rakisesque. 

Htlmithenu,  Rafinesque,  Journal  de  Physique,  LXXXVIII.  (lf:19)  417.    (Type 
Motncilla  vermirora.) 

Uill  large  and  stout,  compressed,  almo:3t  tanngrine;  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  the 
head;  culmen  vcrj'  slightly  cur^'cd;  gonys  straiglit;  no  notch  in  the  hill;  rictal 
bristles  wanting;  tarsi  short,  —  but  little  longer,  if  any,  than  tlie  middle  tue;  tail 
considerably  shorter  than  the  wings,  rather  rounded ;  wings  rather  long,  the  tint 
quill  a  little  shorter  than  the  second  and  third. 


HELMITHEEUS  VEEMIVOEUS.  —  BonaparU. 

The  Worm-eating:  Warbler. 

1  Motacilla  vermifora,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  951. 
Sylvia  vermivora,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  III.  (1811)  74.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  I.  (18824 
177. 

St/lvia  (DacnU)  vermivora,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  409. 

DESCniPTION. 

Bill  nearly  as  long  as  the  head;  upper  parts  generally  rather  clear  olive-green, 
head  with  four  black  stripes  and  three  brownish-yellow  ones,  namely,  a  black  one 
on  each  side  of  the  crown,  and  one  frcim  behind  the  eye  (extending,  in  fact,  a  little 
anterior  to  it),  a  broader  median  yellow  one  on  the  crown,  and  a  superciliary  from 
the  bill;  under  parts  pale  brownish-yellow,  tinged  with  buff  across  the  breast,  and 
with  olivaceous  on  the  sides;  tail  unspotted.    Female  nearly  similar. 

Length,  five  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three;  tail,  two  and  thirty- 
five  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  species  is  so  rarely  seen  in  New  England,  that  it  can 
be  regarded  only  as  a  straggler.  I  have  never  met  with  a 
specimen  alive,  although  it  has  been  taken  in  all  these 
States.    Audubon  describes  its  habits  as  follows :  — 

"  It  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  interior  of  the  forests,  and  is  seldom 
found  on  the  borders  of  roads  or  in  the  fields.  In  spring,  they 
move  in  pairs ;  and,  during  their  retrograde  marches,  in  little 
groups,  consisting  each  of  a  family,  seven  or  eight  in  number : 
on  which  account  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  they  raise  only  a 
single  brood  in  the  year.  They  are  ever  amongst  the  decayed 
branches  of  trees  or  other  plants,  such  as  are  accidentally  broken 
off  by  the  wind,  and  are  there  seen  searching  for  insects  or  cater- 


..,, 

4     ;■•.» 

"    i  •; 

J    <  1 

s 

'_'12 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND  OOLOGY. 


I 


|>ill;irs.  Tlicy  aho  resort  to  tlie  ground,  and  turn  over  tlif  drii'd 
leaves  in  quest  of  the  same  kind  of  food.  They  are  unsuspecting, 
and  will  mifCvs  a  person  to  approach  witliin  a  few  paces.  When 
disturbed,  tliey  fly  oif  to  some  place  where  withered  leaves  are 
seen.  They  have  only  a  few  weak  notes,  which  do  not  deserve 
the  name  of  song.  Tl/eir  inchistry,  however,  atones  for  this  defect, 
as  they  are  seen  continually  moving  about,  rustling  among  the 
leaves,  and  scarcely  ever  removing  from  one  situation  to  another, 
until  aftei  they  have  made  a  full  inspection  of  the  part  in  which 
they  have  been  employed." 

Mr.  T.  H.  Jackson,  of  Westchester,  Pa.,  describes,  in  tlio 
Am.  Natiiralist,  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  as  follows  :  — 

"  On  the  6th  of  June.  18G9, 1  found  a  nest  of  this  species 
containing  five  eggs.  It  was  ])laced  in  a  hollow  on  the 
ground  much  like  llic  nest  of  the  oven  bird  {Sehn-KS  auroca- 
pillus),  and  was  hidden  from  sight  by  the  dry  leaves  that 
lay  thickly  around.  The  nest  was  composed  externally  of 
dead  leaves,  mostly  those  of  the  beech,  while  the  interior 
was  prettily  lined  with  the  fine  thread-like  stalks  of  the 
hair-moss  (Polytrichium).  Altogether  it  was  a  very  neat 
structure,  and  looked  to  me  as  if  the  owner  was  habitually 
a  ground-nester.  The  eggs  most  nearly  resemble  those  of 
the  white-bellied  Nuthatch  (^Sitta  'Jarolinenm') ,  though  the 
markings  are  fewer  and  less  distinct.  So  close  did  the 
female  sit  that  I  captured  her  without  difficulty  by  placing 
my  hat  over  the  nest." 

HELMINTHOPHAGA,  Cabanis. 

Helminthophnr/n,  Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.  (1850-5!)  '.,0.    (Type  Sylvia  ruficnpiliu.) 
Bill  elongated,  conical,  verj-  acute ;  the  outli'ies  very  nearly  straight,  sometimes 
f  lightly  decurved;  no  trace  of  notch  at  the  tir;  wings  long  and  pointed;  the  first 
quill  nearly  or  quite  the  longest;  tail  ncHy  even  or  slightly  emarginate;  short  and 
rather  slender;  tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe. 


HELMINTHOPHAGA  PINUS.— 5««rrf. 

The  Blue-winged  Yellow  Warbler, 

Cerlhin pimi,  I.inna-Mis.    Syst.  Nat,  I.  (176G)  1S7.    Cm.,  I.  (1788)  478. 

Bylvia  tolUaria,  Wilson.   Am.  Om.,  II.  (1810)  109.   Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  I.  (1882)  102 

'f'dna  (Dacnit)  solitaria,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  410. 


TUi;   BLUE-WINGED    YELLOW    WAUHLKU. 


213 


Pbscriptioji. 

Upper  parts  and  cliueks  olive-green,  briKlitext  on  tlie  niiiip;  the  win^i*,  tail,  and 
ii|i|pt'r  tail  tovertfl,  in  purt,  bluish-Kr«y;  an  inti;nsely  bluck  patch  from  tho  bluo- 
black  bill  to  the  eye,  continued  a  short  distance  behind  it;  crown,  except  l)rliind, 
Bnd  the  und'T  parts  generally,  rich  oriinge-ycllow,  the  inner  wing  and  under  tail 
covert.H  white;  eyelids,  and  u  short  line  above  and  behind  the  eye,  brighter  yellow; 
wing  with  two  while  bands;  two  outer  tail  feuthera  with  most  of  the  inner  web, 
third  one  with  a  spot  at  the  end  white.  Female  and  young  similar,  duller,  with 
more  olivaceous  on  the  crown. 

Length,  four  and  lilly  one-hundrcdths  inches;  wing,  two  and  forty  onc-biffl' 
drcdths  inches;  tail,  two  and  ten  one-bundredths  inches. 


This  species  is  also  very  rare  in  New  Eiighiud.  Iii  1857, 
in  the  month  of  May,  about  the  12th  or  15th,  I  found  a 
small  fIoi;k  in  a  swamp  in  Dedham,  Mass.  They  were 
actively  employed  in  catching  flying  insects,  and  were  po 
little  mistrustful,  that  they  permitted  me  to  approach  quite 
near,  and  observe  their  motions.  I  noticed  nothing  pecu- 
liar in  them  ;  but  they  had  all  the  activity  and  industry  of 
tlie  true  arboreal  Warblers.  I  know  nothing  of  their  breed- 
ing habits,  and  will  give  the  description  by  Wilson  of  the 
nest  and  eggs.     He  says, — 

"  This  bird  has  been  mistaken  for  the  Pine  Creeper  of  Catesby. 
It  is  a  very  diiferent  species.  It  comes  to  us  early  in  May  from 
the  South  ;  haunts  thickets  and  shrubberies,  searching  tlie  branches 
for  insects  ;  is  fond  of  visiting  gardens,  orchards,  and  willow-trees, 
of  gleaning  among  blossoms  and  currant-bushes  ;  and  is  frequently 
found  in  very  sequestered  woods,  where  it  generally  builds  its  nest. 
Tliis  is  fixed  in  a  thick  bunch  or  tussock  of  long  grass,  sometimes 
sheltered  by  a  brier  bush.  It  is  built  in  the  form  of  an  inverted 
cone  or  funnel,  the  bottom  thickly  bedded  with  dry  beech-leaves, 
the  sides  formed  of  the  dry  bark  of  strong  weeds  lined  within  with 
fine,  dry  grass.  These  materials  are  not  placed  in  the  usual 
manner,  circularly,  but  shelving  downwards  on  all  sides  from  the 
top ;  the  mouth  being  wide,  the  bottom  very  narrow,  filled  with 
leaves,  and  the  eggs  or  young  occupying  the  middle.  The  female 
lays  five  eggs,  pure-white,  with  a  few  very  fiiint  dots  of  reddish 
near  the  great  end ;  the  young  appear  the  first  week  in  June.  I 
am  not  certain  whether  they  raise  a  second  brood  in  the  same 
season. 

"  I  have  met  with  several  of  these  nests,  always  !n  a  retired 
thougti  open  part  of  the  woods,  and  very  similar  to  each  other." 


*      i     I 


~i 


214 


OllMTIlOLOUY    AND   OOLOOY. 


HELMINTHOPHAOA  CHRYSOPTEHA.  —  Cnbamt. 
The  Oolden-winged  Warbler. 

Motnrilta  chryaoplera,  Linnicus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)   833.    Gm.   Syst.  Hat 
I  (1788)971. 

iSynVi  clirijsopltni,  WiUnn     Am.  Orii ,  11.  (1810)  113. 

Desckiition. 

UppiT  |mrls  uiiifiirm  l)Iiiisli-Ki.:,v';  tlu!  head  iibovv  iiiul  a  large  patch  (in  tlin  win^i 
yellow;  a  bidud  Aiivak  Inuu  thu  bill  thmiiKh  and  heliiiul  thu  vyu,  with  the  chiu, 
throat,  and  I'oiepiirt  ollhe  lirea^t,  black;  the  (.•.\ternal  ed{;e  of  the  yellow  croivn  con- 
tinuous with  a  broad  piitch  on  the  sid«  of  the  occiput  above  the  auricuhirs,  a  broad 
maxillary  Htripc  wideuinj;  on  the  sido  of  the  neck,  the  under  parts  (generally,  with 
ino.st  of  the  inner  weba  uf  the  outer  three  tail  feathers  white;  the  sides  of  the  body 
pale  afhcolor.     I'ennilo  similar,  but  duller. 

I,eni;th,  about  live  inches;  wiitf,',  two  and  si.xty-live  one-hundredths  inches;  tail, 
two  and  tweiily-livu  one-bundrcdths  invhes. 

^"This  haiidsoniely  luiukcd  .spocios  ha.s  hitherto  been  con- 
.sidered  a  very  lai'o  bird  in  Now  England  ;  but  it  is  less 
uncommon  than  it  is  supposed  to  be.  The  first  oiii.  I  saw 
was  cauglit  by  a  cat  in  a  garden  in  West  Newton,  Mass. 
This  was  on  May  10,  1801.  That  year,  and  since,  I  have 
found  it  occurring,  in  small  numbers,  from  the  14th  to  the 
80th  of  May.  The  higher  branches  of  trees,  in  the  vicinity 
of  swampy  land,  appear  to  be  its  favorite  hunting-places.  It 
may  bo  seen  seeking  its  food  quite  diligently  along  the 
branches  and  among  the  twigs,  moving  by  short  leaps,  and 
Htopping  often  to  utter  its  drawling  note,  '■  zce-zee-zee-zee^  or 
'  dcc-dec-dce-dee.^ 

"  I  once  saw  one,  who,  having  seemingly  finished  his 
morning  meal,  was  perched  on  the  topmost  twig  of  a  tree, 
(luite  motionless,  occasionally  uttering  the  ibove  song, 
Avhich  is  easily  recognized  from  that  of  any  of  our  other 
Warblers.  On  my  alarming  him,  he  flew  down  among  the 
undergrowth  of  young  birches,  and  permitted  me  to  approach 
quite  uear  him  :  while  watching  his  movements,  I  observed 
a  Nashville  Warbler  alight  on  the  same  bush  in  which  he 
was  moving,  when  the  Golden-wing  immediately  gave  fight, 
and  chased  the  intruder  away.     I  have  never  oI)served  the 

I  See  Appendix. 


THE   NASHVILLK   WAIUILER. 


:\:> 


ftpocios  ill  iuituniii,  tiiul  uU  tlu;  sptM'iiiitMks  that  1  hiivr  met 
with  were  nnles.  It  rears  its  young  in  tlio  more  nortliciii 
regions  prohably ;  ami  winters  beyond  the  southern  limits 
of  tho  Union,  in  the  West  Indies,  Central  Amcrieii,  and 
oven  as  far  south  as  Hogota,  S.A.  This  Warlilm-  is  nut, 
given  in  any  of  the  lists  of  the  hirds  of  Maine  or  Vermont 
that  I  liave  teen  ;  but,  as  it  occurs  in  such  small  numliers,  it 
may  have  boon  overlooked,  or  perhaps  is  now  becoming  a 
regular  visitor,  during  the  spring  migrations,  in  New  Eng- 
land."—  Letter  from  Henri/  A.  Punlic. 


HELMINTHOPHAGA  EUFICAPILLA.  -  fl'uV./. 
The  Naabvillo  Warbler. 

Sj/wa  nificripUla,  Wilson.    Am.  Orii.,  III.  (1811)  120.     Aud.  Orn.  liiog.,  1 

(1832)450. 

Sylvia  rubricnpilla,  AVjIhoii.     Am.  Orii.,  VI.  (Ibl'i)  15. 
Sylvia  (Dacnis)  ruliiicajjiUc,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  412. 

DESCKII'TION. 

Head  and  neck  above  and  on  sides  asii-}^ray,  the  crown  witli  a  patcli  of  con- 
cealed dark  brownif-h-oraiige  Inddcii  by  asby  tips  to  tho  t'calliers;  upper  parts 
olivc-grcen,  brightest  on  the  rump;  under  parts  generally,  with  the  edgd  of  iIki 
wing  deep  yellow;  the  anal  region  paler;  the  sides  tinged  with  olive;  a  broad  yel- 
lowish-white ring  round  the  eye;  the  lores  yellowish;  no  superciliary  stripe;  the 
inner  edges  of  the  tail  feathcirs  margined  with  dull-white.  Female  similar,  but 
duller;   the  under  parts  paler;  but  little  trace  of  the  red  of  the  trown. 

The  bill  is  very  acute;  the  wings  long  and  pointed;  the  tail  emarginatc,  not 
rounded. 

In  autumn,  the  entire  upper  parts  are  olive-green,  ti.igcd  with  yellowi.sh  on  the 
rump,  sometimes  with  brownish  on  the  head;  the  patch  on  the  crown  more  or  less 
concealed;  the  female  has  the  white  on  the  middle  of  the  belly  mure  extended. 

Length,  four  and  sixty-live  one-hundredtbs  inche.s;  wing,  two  and  forty-tw" 
one-hundredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  Ave  onc-bundredths  inches. 


^:j 


9* 


This  species  is  quite  common  in  the  spring  migrations, 
arriving  about  the  first  week  iu  May  ;  but  few  breed  in  the 
southern  districts  of  New  England.  Like  some  other  spe- 
cies, it  has  grown  much  more  abundant  than  it  was  a  few 
years  since,  and  is  now  quite  common  in  localities  where  it 
was  once  a  stranger.  Its  habits  are  like  those  of  the  other 
Warblers,  eminently  active  and  industrious:  it  seems  always 


216 


OUMTUOUMjy    AND   OOLOCiY. 


iiioviiifr  thritiij(h  lln;  fuliajrn,  jrlraiiiii^r  its  iiisei:t  fooil.  Its 
iiitli'  is  u  peculiar  una,  and  family  rt'cogiiizt'ii  :  it  is  bust 
ilcrtcributl  or  iliustniled  by  thc3  souikI  prtnlucoil  by  Htiikiiig 
two  ]»!bbli,'s  togutbcr  with  soino  furco. 

AliDiU  ibo  liOlh  of  Juno,  ul'tcr  ibo  birdt*  liavo  paired,  they 
<.'(uuuicui'(!  buildiujr  tiie  lu'.-t:  ibis  is  usually  placud  oJi  tlio 
HHHiud,  in  u  sliglil  iluprcssion  usually  made  by  Ibo  birds 
tbonisolvos.  A  spocinion  boibro  mc  containing  tbroo  eggs, 
coUjcted  in  Maiden,  Mass.,  by  Mr.  II.  A.  I'urdio,  is  con- 
htriictod  of  tlio  leaves  of  tlio  pine,  wliicb  are  very  neatly 
Woven  into  a  (.'onipact,  cii'oular  fal»rio,  deeply  'loUowod,  and 
lined  witli  boisoliair  and  fine  leaves  of  tlio  p  lO  ;  tlio  eggs 
aro  of  a  white  color,  with  a  very  faint  rosy  tint,  and  covered 
irregularly  with  dots  of  reddish-ldown  and  obscure  lilac. 
Diniensions  of  tlio  three  specinions:  ,01  by  .AO  inch,  .00  by 
.4.S  iiicii,  .')H  by  AH  inch.  J.  A.  Alloa,  in  his  "Catalogue 
of  (lie  JJirds  of  Sj'-ingfiold,  Alass.,"  gives  tlio  following 
exceedingly  interesting  description  of  the  nest  and  eggs 
of  this  bird  :  — 

'•  I  liavo  found  the  nest  of  this  species  for  two  successive 
Beiisona  us  follows :  May  31,  18(52,  coiitiii'iin^  four  froslily  iiiid  eggs. 
The  nest  was  placed  on  the  ground,  and  sunken  so  tiiut  tiie  top  of 
the  nest  was  level  with  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  protected 
and  completely  concealed  above  by  the  dead  grass  and  weeds  of 
the  previous  year.  It  was  composed  of  fine  rootlets  and  dry  grass, 
lined  witli  line,  dry  grass  and  a  few  horsehairs,  and  covered 
exteriorly  with  a  species  of  fine,  green  moss.  The  eggs  were 
white,  sprinkled  with  light  reddish-brown  specks,  most  thickly 
near  the  larger  end.  Longer  diameter  sixty,  and  the  shorter  fifty 
one-hundredths  inch.  Tiie  following  year,  June  5,  18G3,  I  found 
another  nest  of  this  species,  within  three  or  four  feet  of  where 
the  one  was  discovered  the  previous  year,  and  containing  three 
eggs  of  this  species,  and  one  of  the  Cow  Bunting,  in  all  of  which 
the  embryos  were  far  advanced.  The  nest,  in  every  particular, 
was  built  and  arranged  like  the  one  above  described ;  and  the  eggs 
must  have  been  laid  at  just  about  the  same  season.  In  both  cases, 
the  female  bird  was  secured,  aiid  the  identity  ascertained  beyond 


TIIK   TKNN£S8t:E   WAUULEH. 


21" 


tjU''>tion.  Tlie  locality  of  the  iifHts  whh  ii  mossy  hunk,  at  tlio  i•^\^^^ 
of  young  woods,  sio|iing  tioiitlivvuril,  itnd  covered  willi  bullies  utid 
cuur»cr  pluuts." 


HELMIKTKOPHAGA  PEBEORINA.  -  GtiunM. 

The  Teanosaee  Warbler. 

Sylvia  ptrtijrim,  Wilson  Am.  Uru.,  III.  (Ibll)  «3.  Aud.  Dm.  Hiog.,  II. 
11834)  .1(17. 

Sjfkia  (DticnU)  ptrtyritta,  Kuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1)432)  413. 

llKHCItlll'In.N. 

Top  and  sidi's  of  the  luiid  and  mik  ar>li-gray;  rent  of  uppor  parts  olive-Krcfn, 
briKliti^Kt  on  tbu  nmip;  bvncutli  dull-wliitu,  faintly  tiiiK<'<l  in  pla(  ('.'•,  vapcciully  on  tliu 
Bides,  witii  yellowi.ih-olive ;  eyt'lid.t  and  u  stripe  ovur  tlio  oyu  whitish ;  a  dusky  liiiu 
from  tlie  eyo  to  tlie  l)illi  outer  fail  I'uuthvr  with  a  whito  spot  aNiiifi;  the  inner  cdj;!', 
near  the  tip.  Female,  with  the  usli  of  the  bead  less  conspicuous;  the  under  parto 
more  tinged  with  olive-yellow. 

Length,  four  and  lil>y  fuie-lumdredths  inihes;  winj,',  two  and  ieventy-flve  one • 
hundredths;  tail,  one  and  eighty-live  one-hundredths  inches. 

Tills  hifd  is  ail  extremely  rare  smnuiei'  visitor  in  New 
Eiigltiud.  Mr.  Allen  says  ho  has  taken  it  on  Sept.  11)  and 
May  2'J:  this  shows  that  it  passes  north  to  hreed,  but  where 
it  passes  the  season  of  incubation  wo  are  igiiurant.  The 
species  itself  seems  to  be  a  very  small  one ;  and,  as  the  mem- 
bers are  so  few,  they  may  be  easily  overlooked  in  the 
forest  through  the  whole  season,  particularly  as  they  are 
quiet  and  retiring  in  habits.  I  think  that,  perhaps,  the 
wilder  sections  of  Maine  and  New  Hampshire  may  give  it  a 
Slimmer  home,  but  of  course  can  only  judge  from  the  above 
reasons. 

Mr.  Geo.  A.  Boardman  says  in  the  Am.  Naturalist  that  a 
few  remain  in  hi.s  locality  (Calais,  Me.)  through  the  season, 
from  which  1  judge  that  it  breeds  there. 


■:l 


.',:5! 


''^ 


SEIUKUS,  SwAiNSON. 

Beiurut,  Swaisson,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (1827)  171.  (Sufficiently  distinct  fVoiii 
Sciuiiu.    Type  Motacilla  aurocapUla,  L.) 

Bill  rather  sylvicolino,  compressed,  with  a  distinct  notch;  gonys  ascending;  ricta 
liriatles  very  short;  wings  moderate,  about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  longer  than  the 
tail;  first  quill  scarcely  shorter  than  the  second;  tail  slightly  rounded;  feathei-s  ocu- 


218 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


miiiate;  tarsi  abuuf  as  lung  a<  the  skull,  coiisliluiulily  txcceding  the  middle  toe; 
under  tail  covert)  reat'liing  within  about  hall'  au  inch  o(  the  end  of  the  tail;  color 
above  olivaceous;  beneath  whitish,  thickly  streaked  ;  u  the  bieust  and  sides;  winga 
and  tail  inunuculatc. 


SEIUEUS  AUEOCAPILLUS.  — Sicaiwfln. 
The  Oven-bird;  Golden-crowned  Thrush. 

MolaohM  uurncnpiUit,  Linna'US.    Syst.  Nat.,  L  (17(3«)  334.    Gni.,  L  (178?)  982. 
Turdm  auniciipiUii»,  WWmu      Am.  Orn.,  IL  (IblO)  88.     Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II 
{1834)2.^)3;  V.  (\i>-M>)  4-17. 

Turdus  (Seiui-us)  auinciijnUus,  Nuttall.    Man.,  1.  (1832)  356. 

Deschu'tion. 

Above  unilbnn  olive-green,  with  a  tinge  of  yellow;  crown  with  two  narrow 
streaks  of  black  from  the  bill,  enclosing  a  median  and  much  broader  one  of  brownish- 
orange  ;  beneath  white ;  the  breast,  sides  of  the  body,  and  a  maxillary  line  streaked 
with  black.    The  female,  and  young  of  the  year,  are  not  appreciably  dilferent. 

Length,  si.\:  inches;  wing,  three  inches;  tail,  two  and  Ibrty  oue-huudredtha 
inches. 

This  boauUrul  and  well-known  bird  is  a  common  summer 
inhabitant  of  New  England,  breeding  abundantly  in  all  the 
States.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  tlic  last  week  in 
April  or  first  in  May,  and  soon  comnienee.s  building.  The 
birds  are  not  often  paired  on  their  arrival,  and  many  are 
the  little  quarrels  and  battles  that  occur  between  two  or 
three  males  for  the  possession  of  one  of  the  opposite  sex. 
The  birds  both  wurk  diligently  in  the  construction  of  the 
nest,  which  is  a  model  of  neatness  and  ingenuity.  It  is 
built  on  the  ground  in  the  woods,  usually  in  a  dry  situation. 
The  materials  used  are  dry  leaves  and  grasses :  these  are 
arranged  compactly  together,  and  built  over  at  the  top,  the 
entrance  being  on  tlie  side,  like  an  old-fashioned  oven  ; 
hence  tlie  familiar  name  of  the  "  Oven-bird."  The  nest  is 
usually  placed  in  a  slight  hollow  in  the  earth,  scratched  by 
tlie  birdis,  and  is  lined  with  soft  grasses  and  hairs.  The 
eggs  are  from  tliree  to  five  in  number,  usually  four.  They 
are  of  a  delitnite  creamy-white  color,  and  spotted  irregularly 
with  dilfei'ent  shitdes  of  reddish-brown  ;  and  some  sj)ecimen3 
have  a  number  of  spots  of  obscure  lil.ic-color.     The  mark- 


THE  OVEN-BIRD. 


219 


ings  are  usually  thickest  at  the  larger  end  of  the  egg,  whore 
they  are  often  confluent,  and  cover  the  prhuary  color. 
Dimensions  of  four  specimens  collected  in  a  nest  in  West 
Roxbury,  Mass. :  .80  by  .04  inch,  .79  by  .04  inch,  .79  by 
.62  inch,  .78  by  .02  incli.  A  great  nnniber  of  spechuens, 
collected  in  different  localities  of  New  England,  show  no 
great  variations  from  these  measurements. 

The  habits  of  this  bird  are  so  well  known  tliat  an  ex- 
tended description  here  is  scarcely  needed.  It  is  seldom 
found  in  any  but  the  most  retired  and  tiiickly  wood'.'d  local- 
ities, and  it  generally  prefers  the  neighborhood  of  a  swamp 
for  its  home.  Its  song  is  a  peculiar  one,  and  easily  recog- 
nized :  it  consists  of  the  repeated  utterance  of  the  syllables, 
quicha,  qicicha,  quicha,  quioha,  quicha,  begun  at  first  very 
low,  and  rapidly  increasing  in  volume.  1  have  heard  this 
song,  in  the  mating  and  incubating  seasons,  at  all  hours  of 
the  night :  the  bird  seems,  at  that  time,  to  ascend  into  the 
air  to  a  considerable  height,  and  utters  its  notes  while  hover- 
ing and  slowly  descending.  I  have  noticed  the  same  habit 
in  the  Maryland  Yellow-tlu'oat  and  some  other  birds ;  and 
suppose  tliat  it  is  owing  to,  and  to  show,  his  great  affection 
for  his  mate,  and  to  anxiety  for  the  success  of  her  lab  )rs. 

AVhen  on  the  ground,  the  Oven-bird  runs  with  f^vQui 
rapidity,  frequently  jetting  its  tail  and  uttering  its  sharp 
alarm-note :  if  the  nest  is  approached,  the  male  throws 
himself  in  the  way  of  the  intruder,  and  endeavors  to  draw 
him  from  its  vicinity,  scolding  all  the  time  with  the  greatest 
vehemence.  If  the  female  is  driven  from  her  domicile,  she 
suddenly  flutters  along  the  ground,  her  wings  extended, 
counterfeiting  lameness  in  a  very  natural  and  generally 
effective  manner. 

This  species,  in  consequence  of  its  eminently  terrestrial 
habits,  often  falls  a  victim  to  snakes  and  skunks.  I  have 
repeatedly  found  nests,  and  left  them,  in  order  that  I  might 
acqiiaint  myself  with  the  breeding  peculiarities  of  the  bird  ; 
and  in  a  day  or  two,  on  paying  it  a  second  visit,  found 


^  '^ 

l'-^ 

""^ 

f^ 

o 

rj 

J:T» 

J 

(     » 

■-S 

^■] 

M3 

iis 

O 

1:20 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


tliat  a  skunk  or  other  depredator  had  destroyed  the  whole 
family. 

The  Oven-bird  feeds  principally  upon  small  insects  and 
smooth  caterpillars,  which  it  obtains  usually  on  the  ground, 
among  the  fallen  leaves :  when  berries  are  in  season,  it  feeds 
occasionally  ujjou  them ;  and  it  seems  particularly  fond  of 
small  spiders,  with  which  I  have  sometimes  found  its  stom- 
ach fdled.  About  the  12tli  or  loth  of  September,  after  the 
young  birds  have  become  capable  of  providing  for  them- 
selves, the  whole  family  leave  for  the  South. 

SEIQEUS  NOVEBOEACENSIS.  — A^uMutt. 

The  Water  Thrush ;  Water  Wagtail. 

Motacilla  Noveburaccnsis,  Gnielin.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (17S8)  958. 

Turdus  {Seiurus)  Novtboracensis,  Nuttall.     Man.,  I.  (1832)  358. 

Turdus  fujuatkus,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  IIL  (1811)  66.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  V.  (1889) 


284. 


Description. 


Bill,  from  rictus,  about  the  length  of  the  skull ;  above  olive-bro\vn,  with  a  shade 
of  green ;  beneath  pale  sulphur-yellow,  brightest  on  the  abdomen ;  region  about  the 
base  of  the  lower  mandible,  and  a  superciliary  line  from  the  base  of  the  bill  to  the 
nape,  brownish-yellow;  u  dusky  line  from  the  bill  through  the  eye;  chin  and  throat 
finely  spotted;  all  the  remaining  under  parts  and  sides  of  the  body,  except  the 
abdomen,  and  including  the  under  tail  coverts,  conspicuously  and  thickly  streaked 
with  olivaceous-brown,  almost  black  on  the  breast. 

Length,  six  and  fifteen  one-bundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  twelve  one-hun- 
dredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  forty  one-hundredths  inches;  bill,  from  rictus,  sixty- 
four  one-huudredths  of  an  inch. 


This  bird  is  not  very  uncommon  in  New  England  in  the 
spring  and  fall  migrations  (arriving  about  the  1st  of  May, 
and  departing  about  the  last  week  in  September)  ;  and  I 
have  sometimes  seen  it  in  summer  in  Massachusetts.  It 
undoubtedly  breeds  in  the  three  northern  of  these  States, 
and  probably  in  them  all.  In  its  habits,  it  much  resembles 
the  preceding  species ;  but  it  is  seldom  found  iu  any  but  a 
wet  locality. 

Wilson  says,  "This  bird  is  remarkable  for  its  partiality 
to  brooks,  rivers,  shores,  ponds,  and   streams  of  water ; 


THE   WATER-THRUSH. 


221 


wading  in  the  shallows  in  search  of  aquatic  insects,  wag- 
ging the  tail  almost  continually,  chattering  as  it  flics  ;  and, 
in  short,  possesses  many  strong  traits  and  habits  of  the 
Water  Wagtail.  It  is  also  exceodindy  shy,  darting  away 
OP  the  least  attempt  to  approach  it,  and  uttering  a  sharp 
tidp  repeatedly,  as  if  greatly  alarmed." 

Although  I  have  met  with  quite  a  number  of  these  birds 
in  their  sylvan  haunts,  I  have  never  heard  them  sing.  That 
it  possesses  a  beautiful  song  most  writers  agree ;  its  notes 
are  described  as  follows :  "  They  are  eminently  distin- 
guished by  the  loudness,  sweetness,  and  expressive  vivacity 
of  their  notes,  which  begin  very  high  and  clear,  falling  with 
an  almost  imperceptible  gradation  till  they  are  scarcely 
articulated.  At  these  times,  the  musician  is  perched  on 
the  middle  branches  of  a  tree  over  the  brook  or  river  bank, 
pouring  out  his  charming  melody,  that  may  be  distinctly 
heard  for  nearly  half  a  mile.  The  voice  of  this  little  bird 
appeared  to  me  so  exquisitely  sweet  and  expressive,  that  I 
was  never  tired  of  listening  to  it,  while  traversing  the  deep- 
shaded  hollows  of  those  cane-brakes  where  it  usually 
resorts." 

Although  I  have  looked  repeatedly  for  the  nest  of  this 
species,  I  have  never  been  able  to  find  one,  and  will  be 
obliged  to  use  the  description  of  others.  Mr.  Verrill  says, 
in  his  paper  on  Maine  birds,  before  referred  to:  — 

"A  nest  found,  June  8,  1861,  in  a  dense  cedar  swamp,  was  built 
in  an  excavation  in  the  side  of  a  decayed,  moss-covered  log,  so  that 
the  excavation  itself  formed  an  arch  over  the  nest,  instead  of  one 
made  by  the  bird,  as  in  the  preceding  species.  The  nest  was  con- 
structed of  moss,  and  lined  with  fine  roots.  The  five  eggs  were  of 
a  delicate  flesh-color,  spotted  with  light  reddish-brown." 


:n:i 


W 


-■r-rs 


"■J  11 


Nuttall  says  of  the  nest :  — 

"  It  is  placed  usually  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  or  by  the  side  of  a 
decayed  log,  and  is  formed  of  dry  leaves,  moss,  and  fine  grass  ; 
being  lined  with  hair  or  the  similar  fibres  of  the  Spanish  moss 


222 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


(Tilandsia).     The  eggs  are  four  or  five,  flesh-colored,  with  dark 
gpots  at  the  greater  end." 

Several  eggs  in  my  collection  agree  with  the  above  descrip- 
tion :  they  exhibit  an  average  of  .81  by  .6?  inch  in  ditnen- 
sions. 

DENDROICA,  Okay. 
Sykicola,  Gray,  Genera  Birds  (2d  ed.,  1841),  32.    (Not  of  Humphreys  or  Swain- 

5UII.) 

Dendroica,  Gray,  Genera  Bird?,  Appendix  (1842)  8. 

Bill  con'cal,  attenuated,  depressed  at  the  base,  where  it  is,  however,  scarcely 
broader  than  high,  compressed  from  the  middle ;  culraen  straight  for  the  basal  half, 
then  rather  rapidly  curving,  the  lower  edge  of  upper  mandible  also  concave;  gonys 
slightly  convex  and  ascending;  a  distinct  notch  near  the  end  of  the  bill;  bristles, 
though  short,  generally  quite  distinct  at  the  base  of  the  bill;  tarsi  long,  decidedly 
longer  than  middle  toe,  which  is  longer  than  the  hinder  one;  the  claws  rather  small 
and  much  cun-ed,  the  hind  claw  nearly  as  long  as  its  digit;  the  wings  long  and 
pointed;  the  second  quill  usually  a  very  little  longer  than  the  first;  the  tail  slightly 
rounded  and  emarginate. 

Colurs.  —  Tail  a' "'ays  with  a  white  spot;  its  ground-color  never  clear  olive-green. 


DENDROICA  VIRENS,— BatVrf. 

The  Black-throated  Green  Warbler. 

Motacilla  virens,  Gmelin.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  985. 

Sylvia  virens,  AVilson.  Am.  Cm.,  IL  (1810)  127.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  876. 
And.  Cm,  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  70. 

Sykicola  vii'ens. 

Description. 

Male,  upper  parts,  exclusive  of  wing  and  tail,  clear  yellow  olive-green,  the 
feathers  of  the  back  with  hidde"  streaks  of  black;  forehead  and  sides  of  head  and 
neck,  including  a  superciliary  stripe,  bright  yellow;  a  dusky-olive  line  from  the  bill 
through  the  eye,  and  another  below  it;  chin,  throat,  and  fore  part  of  breast,  extend- 
ing some  distance  along  on  the  sides,  continuous  bhick;  rest  of  under  parts  white, 
tinged  with  yellow  on  the  breast  and  flanks ;  wings  and  tail  feathers  dark-brown, 
edged  with  bluish-gray;  two  white  bands  on  the  wing;  the  greater  part  of  the  three 
outer  tail  feathers  white.  Female,  similar,  but  duller;  the  throat  yellow ;  the  black 
on  breast  much  concealed  by  white  edges;  the  sides  streaked  with  black. 

Length,  five  inches;  wing,  two  and  fifty-eight  one-lumdredths ;  tail,  two  and 
thirty  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  a  quite  common  species  in  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  and  Massachusetts,  and  is  not  rare  in 
the  other  New-England  States,  in  which,  I  have  no  doubt,  it 


THE   BLACK-TUROATKD   OIIEEN   WARBLER. 


223 


breeds,  though  not  nearly  so  iihiuidiiutly  as  in  those  first 
mentioned.  It  arrives  from  the  South  from  about  tho  2.")th 
of  April  to  the  1st  of  May,  in  Massachusetts.  I  have  often 
seen  this  species,  as  late  as  the  last  week  in  May,  busily 
engaged  in  destroying  insects  (of  which  its  food,  as  also  that 
of  the  other  Warblers,  consists),  apparently  without  being 
mated,  as  several  individuals  of  both  sexes  were  together, 
seemingly  in  harmony,  but  without  those  little  fondlings 
and  attentions  peculiar  to  mated  birds.  The  nest  is  sehlom 
built  before  the  10th  of  June  in  this  latitude.  It  is  con- 
structed of  fine  grasses,  fibrous  roots,  fine  strips  of  barK  from 
the  cedar,  and  the  leaves  of  the  pine:  these  are  entwined 
together  strongly  and  neatly,  and  the  interior  of  the  nest  is 
lined  with  horsehair  and  fine  moss.  Nuttall,  in  describing 
the  only  nest  of  this  bird  that  he  ever  saw,  says, — 

"  On  the  8th  of  June,  I  was  so  fortunate  as  to  find  a  nest  of  this 
species  in  a  perfectly  solitary  situation,  on  the  Blue  Hills  of  Milton, 
Mass.  The  female  was  now  sitting,  anc  .bout  to  hatch.  The  nest 
was  in  a  low,  thick,  and  stunted  Virginia  juniper.  When  I  ap- 
proached near  the  nest,  the  female  stood  motionless  on  its  edge,  and 
peeped  down  in  such  a  manner  that  I  imagined  her  to  be  a  young 
bird :  she  then  darted  directly  to  the  earth,  and  ran ;  but  when, 
deceived,  I  sought  her  on  the  ground,  she  had  very  expertly  disap- 
peared, and  I  now  found  the  nest  to  contain  four  roundish  eggs, 
white,  inclining  to  flesh-color,  variegated,  more  particularly  at  the 
great  end,  with  pale,  purplish  points  of  various  sizes,  interspersed 
with  other  large  spots  of  brown  and  blackish.  The  nest  was  formed 
of  circularly  entwined  fine  strips  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  juniper, 
and  the  tougli,  fibrous  bark  of  some  other  plant,  then  bedded  with 
soft  feathers  of  the  Robin,  and  lined  with  a  few  horsehairs,  and 
some  slender  tops  of  bent  grass  (Agrostis)." 

Early  in  June,  1863,  a  nest  of  this  species  was  discovered 
in  a  grove  of  pines  in  West  Roxbury :  it  was  built  in  a 
small  fork  of  a  pine,  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  The 
nest  and  its  contents,  four  eggs,  were  removed ;  but  the 
birds  remained  in  the  neighborhood,  and  soon  commenced 


-J! 


224 


ORNITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOOY. 


building  anotlier  nest  in  the  same  tree,  but  a  few  feet  higlier. 
In  it  the  fenuilc  laid  three  eggs,  after  which  this  nest  and 
eggs  were  removed ;  l)ut  soon  after  they  built  another  nest 
ill  another  pine,  near  the  first :  this  nest  was  pcrliaps  twenty- 
five  feet  from  the  ground  ;  in  this,  two  eggs  were  laid,  wiiich 
were  allowed  to  be  hatched.  One  of  these  nests,  with  four 
eggs,  is  in  iny  collection,  and  is  already  described  above. 
The  eggs  are  a  pale,  creamy-white  color,  with  a  very  faint 
roseate  tint,  and  one  marked  with  coarse  and  fine  spots  of 
brown  of  different  shades,  and  obscure  spots  of  lilac.  These 
markings  are  quite  thick  at  the  large  end  of  the  egg,  —  in 
fact,  are  almost  confluent  into  a  sort  of  girdle.  Their 
dimensions  are  .06  by  .53  inch,  .66  by  .52  inch,  .64  by  .52 
inch,  and  .62  by  .51  inch.  A  large  number  of  nests,  with 
eggs  collected  in  Massachusetts,  have,  within  a  few  years, 
passed  through  my  hands :  they  were  all  of  the  above  de- 
scription. 

This  bird  prefers  the  foliage  of  high  trees  to  the  lower 
shrubbery,  and  I  have  noticed  that  it  is  most  usually  found 
in  or  near  the  different  pines.  Its  song  is  heard  through 
the  mating  and  breeding  seasons,  as  the  bird  is  actively 
moving  about  the  trees  searching  for  its  food. 

This  song  is  something  like  the  syllables,  ta-te-te-it-td-tee, 
uttered  in  a  plaintive  tone  ;  the  first  syllable  low,  the  second 
higher,  the  third  and  fourth  quickly  together  and  high,  and 
the  fifth  and  sixth  a  little  slower  and  lower.  Its  song  is 
peculiar,  and  cannot  be  confounded  with  that  of  any  other 
Warbler  in  New  England. 

DENDEOICA  CANADENSIS.  —  5aiVrf. 

The  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler. 

Motadlla  Canadensis,  Linn.'cus.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  336.     Gm.,  I.  (1788)  991. 
Sylvia  Canadensis,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  II.  (1810)  115.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  898. 
Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  11.  (1S34)  309. 

Sylvia  pusilla,  Wilson.    Am.  Om  ,  V.  (1812)  100. 

Description. 
Above  uniform  tontinuous  grayish-blue,  including  the  outer  edges  of  the  quill 
and  tail  feathers;  a  narrow  frontal  line,  the  entire  sides  of  head  and  neck,  cliin  and 


THK   IlLACK-THROATED   BLUE   WAllBLKU. 


225 


throat,  lustrous  black,  this  color  cxtondiiij;  in  n  liroail  latoral  strijie  to  the  fail ;  rent 
ol'  uiiiU'r  ]iarts.  iucluiliiiK  the  axillary  ri';;ioii,  white;  wiii>;s  unil  tail  black  above,  the 
loruier  witli  a  conspicuous  wliitt;  iiatch  t'urnieil  by  ihu  bases  of  all  tliu  priuiariis 
(except  the  lir.«t);  the  inner  webs  of  the  secondaries  ami  tertials  with  similar  patches 
towards  the  base  anil  along  the  inner  niarf^in;  all  the  tail  feathers,  except  the  iuner- 
Miost,  with  a  white  patch  on  the  inner  web,  near  the  eml. 

Female,  olive-(;reen  above  and  dull-yellow  beneath;  sides  of  head  dusky-oiive, 
the  eyelids  and  a  superciliary  stripe  whitish;  traces  of  the  white  spot  at  the  base  of 
the  primaries  and  of  the  tail. 

Length,  live  and  fifty  onu-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  sixty  oue-hun- 
dredths;  tail,  two  and  twenty-live  one-liuiulredtlis  inches. 

This  Warbler  is  not  uncommon  iix  tho  mountainous  dis- 
tricts of  Massachusetts,  from  tiie  middle  to  the  end  of  May  ; 
and  I  found  several  specimens  in  tho  Green-Mountain  coun- 
try as  late  as  tlie  10th  of  June.  Tliis  occurrence,  togetiier 
with  tlie  fact  tliat  it  has  been  found,  in  the  breeding  season, 
on  Mount  Holyoko,  in  Mass.,  and  along  the  ridges  in  the 
western  part  of  this  State,  shows  that  it  probably  breeds, 
sometimes  at  least,  in  ^lassachusotts. 

Tlie  indi\l'  lals  that  I  saw  were  in  tall  oaks  and  chest- 
nuts, actively  moving  about  tlirough  tlie  foliage,  snapping  at 
flies  and  other  insects :  they  often  uttered  a  faint,  drawling 
weesy^  w^esy,  and  occasionally  a  louder  chirp  or  chink,  like 
tliat  of  the  Nashville  Warbler. 

Being  unacquainted  with  the  nest  and  eggs,  I  give  Audu- 
bon's description  of  them :  — 

"  The  nest  is  usually  placed  on  the  horizontal  branch  of  a  fir-tree, 
at  a  height  of  seven  or  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  composed 
of  slips  of  bark,  mosses,  and  fibrous  roots,  and  is  lined  with  fine 
grass,  on  which  is  laid  a  warm  bed  of  feathers. 

"  The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  of  a  rosy  tint,  and,  like 
those  of  most  other  SylvicB,  scantily  sprinkled  with  reddish-brown 
at  the  larger  end.     Only  one  brood  is  raised  in  a  season." 


m 


^    1-4 


-ii 


About  the  first  week  in  September,  this  species  Vaves 
New  England  on  its  southern  migration. 


220 


OBNITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


DENDEOICA   CORONATA.  —  Ormj. 

The  Yellow-rumped  Warbler. 

Mvtaeilla  ccrvnata,  Linniuus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  ( 170G)  333.    (im.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  ( 178B'. 
974. 

Sylvia  conmiiln,  Wilson.     A-     Orn  ,  li.  (.810)  138.     Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  861 
Aud.  Orn.  UUi^.,  11.  {WM)  301 


Above  bluinb-ash,  streaked  with  bluck;  undtv  ;  ;>  ts  white;  the  fore  part  of  breaHt 
and  the  bides  black,  tlie  I'uutliurs  mostly  edged  witii  white;  crown,  rumii,  and  sides 
of  breast  yellow;  cheeks  and  lures  black;  the  eyelids  and  ii  superciliary  stripe,  two 
bands  on  tlic  win;;,  and  spots  on  the  outer  three  tail  feathers,  white.  Female,  of 
duller  plumage,  and  browner  above. 

Length,  five  and  sixty-five  oue-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  inches;  tail,  two 
and  fit'tv  une-hundretbs  inches. 


Tlic  YcUow'-niinpcd  or  Golden-crowned  Warbler  is  very 
abuiKlant  in  all  parts  of  New  England  as  a  s[)ring  and  fall 
vLsitor.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  20th  of  April, 
and  ])a8st's  quickly  northward.  iiut  few  breed  south  of 
^\!i.  K  ^.  the  northern  parts  of  Maine, 
and  probably  not  a  great  many 
pass  the  season  of  incubation 
tiicre.  AVhen  with  us  in  the 
spring,  they  are  found  in  the 
pastures,  woods,  orchards,  and 
swamps,  equally  distributed, 
and  evincing  no  partiality  for 
any  particular  locality.  Tliey 
are  then  very  active,  and  are  constantly  engaged  in  their 
search  for  insects. 

Their  note  is  nothing  but  a  kind  of  tcJiip  and  a  tinkling 
hvdeter,  which  they  utter  occasionally,  both  while  on  the 
wing  and  while  perching. 

I  have  heard  of  no  nest  being  found  in  either  of  the 
soutiiern  New-England  States,  —  have  met  with  but  one  in 
Massacluisetts,  and  have  heard  of  but  two  or  three  others. 


THK   BLACKBURNIAN    WAUbLb;i(. 


This  nest  was  built  in  u  low  barbeny-hiisli  in  Wultlium  :  ii 
was  constructed  of  fine  grasses  and  tlio  down  from  ferns. 
These  materials  were  carefully  woven  togetiier  into  a  neat 
fabric,  which  was  lined  with  cottony  substances  and  a  few 
horsehairs.  The  eggs  were  three  in  number:  these  wore 
of  a  creamy-white  color,  covered  sparsely  with  spots  and 
blotches  of  dilferent  shades  of  I'cddish-brown,  thickest  at 
the  large  end  of  tlie  egg.  Dimensions  of  the  eggs  :  .08  by 
.50  inch,  .07  by  ,50  inch,  .00  by  .49  inch.  Audubon 
describes  a  nest  and  eggs  sent  him  from  Nova  Scotia  as 
follows:. — 

"  It  resembles  that  of  tlie  Si/lvia  cestiva  of  Latliam,  being  fiiin, 
couiiKict,  the  outer  parts  formed  of  bilky  fibres  from  ditferent  plants, 
attached  to  the  twigs  near  it  by  means  of  glutinous  matter,  mixed 
witli  the  inner  bark  of  some  tree  unknown  to  me.  Within  this  is 
a  deep  and  warm  bed  of  thistle-down,  and  the  inner  layer  consists 
of  feathers  and  the  line  hair  of  small  (piadiupeds. 

"  The  eggs  are  rather  large,  of  a  liglit  rosy  tint,  the  shell  thin 
and  transparent :  they  are  sparingly  dotted  with  reddish-brown  near 
tiie  larger  end,  but  in  a  circular  manner,  so  that  the  extremity  is 
unspotted." 

From  the  last  of  September  until  the  middle  of  October, 
they  become  very  plentiful  again,  and  may  be  seen  in  large 
detached  flocks  in  all  the  fields,  orchards,  and  woods  of  the 
country :  they  are  very  abundant  in  stubble-fields ;  and  1 
have  seen  as  many  as  fifty  in  a  flock  start  at  the  report  of 
my  gun,  when  I  have  been  quail-shooting. 


DENDROICA   BLACKBUBNIJE.  —  iJaiVd 

The  Blackburnian  Warbler. 

Motacilla  Blackbumia,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  977. 
Sylvia  Blackbunim,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  III.  (1811)  67.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  ^883)  87ft 
Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  208;  V.  73. 

Sylviaparug,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  V.  (1812)  114. 
lUmluck  Waibltr,  Aiithoi's. 


22H 


OUMTIIOI.OCV    AND    OOLKJY. 


DlCNCIlllTION. 

Uppor  pftrtd  ncarlj'  uniform  black,  with  a  wliitwh  ncapuliir  slripfl  and  a  lurg« 
•vliitv  pali'li  ill  tliR  inidclli!  of  tlio  win;;  covltIm;  nil  oblon;;  putcli  in  tliu  iiiiddit'  of 
lliu  eruwii,  mid  tin;  entire  side  of  tliu  lii'ad  and  neck  (including;  •  niipeiiiliiiry  ntripu 
from  till)  nostrils),  tlie  chin,  tlirout,  and  fori  part  of  tlie  bp.a.st,  briKlit  oruiiKe-rcclj 
a  liluck  Htrip'!  Vinm  tlie  <diiiniis>nru  pasniiif,'  over  the  lov/er  half  of  tlie  I'Vc,  and 
iiK  liidi  i;,'  Ihe  ciir  covcrU,  with,  Ikiwcvit,  nil  oraiiKU  .'rescent  in  it,  jimt  hclow 
tlie  eye,  the  exlicinu  lid  beiii;;  black;  rest  of  iiiulcr  parts  white,  slronKlv  tiiipMl 
with  vclliHvish-oraiiffo  on  the  breast  ami  belly,  and  streaki'd  with  black  on  the  nideH; 
outer  three  tail  feathers  white,  the  shafts  am!  tips  ihirk-brown,  tho  I'ourlh  and  lltlh 
Kpotted  much  with  white,  tho  other  tail  feathers  and  (|uill9  ahiuist  black.  Femae 
limilar;  the  colnrg  duller;  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  with  olivaceous  edjfes. 

LeiiKlb,  live  and  lifty  one-liundredlhs  inches;  wiiifj,  two  and  ei>;lity-tlirce  oue- 
bundrcdths  inches;  tail,  two  and  twcnty-livu  one-hundiedths  inches. 

This,  tlio  most  Ijcautifiil  of  all  our  Warl)lors,  is  a  raro 
summer  iiiliiihituiit  of  all  Now  England.  Dr.  Brewer  found 
it  breeding  in  the  eastern  part  of  Massachusetts.  \  errili 
says  it  breeds  In  Maine ;  Dr.  Tliompson  says  it  breeds  in 
Vermont;  and  I  have  seen  it  in  New  Hampshire  in  tho 
season  of  incubation.  It  is  a  shy  and  mistru.stful  species, 
and  is  found  only  in  the  deepest  woods,  where  it  keeps  in 
Ihc  thickest  foliage  of  tall  trees.  Its  nest  and  eggs  1  have 
not  seen,  and  I  am  obliged  to  give  tho  description  by 
Audubon:  "-It  [tho  nest]  is  composed  externally  of  dif- 
ferent te.xtiu'cs,  and  lined  with  silky  fibres  and  thin  delicato 
strips  of  line  bark,  over  which  lay  a  thick  bed  of  feather;; 
and  horsehair.  The  eggs  are  suiall,  very  conical  towai-ds 
the  smaller  end,  pure-white,  with  a  few  spots  of  light-red 
towards  the  larger  end.  It  was  fouiul  in  a  small  fork  of  a 
tree,  five  or  six  feet  from  the  ground,  near  a  brook." 


DENDEOICA   CASTANEA.  —  Buird. 


Sylvia  cnntnnea,  Wilson. 
Ami.  Orn.  IJiog.,  I.  368. 


The  Bay-breasted  Warbler. 
Am.  Orn.,  II.  (1810)  97.     Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  382. 

Dksciiiptiox. 

Mnte.  —  Crown  dark  reddish-chestnut;  forehead  and  cheeks,  including  a  space 

above  the  eye,  black;  a  patch  of  bufT-yellow  behind  the  cheeks;  rest  of  upper  parts 

bluish-gray,  streaked  with   black ;    the   ed^^es   of  the  interscapulars  tinged   with 

yellowish,  of  the  scapulars  with  olivaceous;  ]>riniarie8  and  tail  feathers  edged  ex- 


Tin:  riNE-ruKKi'iN*;  wahulkii. 


.).);i 


trrimlly  «illi  liltii«h-(frny,  the  fxtremp  nutrr  nnM  wiili  wliilf;  llir  "I'diiidiirics  HrciI 
with  oliv  ct'oim;  two  IIIIIHI4  on  tlii>  wliii;  mul  tlii^  iili^i's  of  tlii'  tiTlials  wliiic;  ilie 
uiiiicr  piirts  arc  wliltiHli  wjlh  ii  tiiiKv  of  liiill';  the  diiii,  tlirout,  t'ori'|iurt  of  tirr:i<<t,  and 
Ilie  ("iili's,  clicstiiut-hrown,  liftlilt-r  than  the  crown;  two  outer  tnil  fcnthers  with  a 
piitch  of  whitp  on  the  im  it  web  npnr  tlic  end;  the  nthtrt  odp'd  intcninlly  with 
tlip  sanip. 

Fcmde  with  the  nppor  parts  olivo,  otronkcd  thriiin;li(iMt  wilti  lil.nk,  ntid  an  it- 
rn«ionnl  tinge  of  chfstniit  on  the  crown;  lower  parts  with  iriicis  of  cheiilnMl,  Imt 
no  Rtripca. 

J.enjffh  of  male,  live  inches;  winj^,  three  and  live  onc-hundredtlis  indies;  tail, 
two  and  forty  one-hiindrcdths  inches. 

The  Bay  breasted  Warbler  is,  in  most  loorilities  of  New 
Enjj^land,  n<jt  common,  in  some  quite  rare.  In  tlio  eastern 
localities  of  A[assachusotts  it  is  very  seldom  met  with. 
Allen  mentions  instances  when  specimens  could  lie  obtained 
by  the  "  bushel-basket  full ;  "  but  I  think  that  jrencrally  it  is 
rarely  seen.  Mr.  Tripp,  in  the  Am.  Naturalist,  says  of  this 
species  :  '•  It  is  not  quite  so  active  as  the  other  warblers,  and 
keeps  more  on  the  lower  liuughs,  seldom  ascending  to  the 
tops  of  the  trees.  The  young  are  totally  ditferent  in  their 
colors  from  the  adidts,  and  so  closely  reseml)le  the  young 
of  the  Black-[)olled  Warbler  that  it  is  often  very  dilTicult  to 
distinguish  them  apart."  It  is  seen  in  New  England  only 
in  the  migrations. 


"3 

•    t    I 
■J    l\ 

?! 


DENDEOICA  PIRDS.  —  Bainl. 


The  Pine-creeping  Warbler. 

SyMa  pinus,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn  ,  III.  (1811)  25. 
And.  Orn.  Diog.,  II.  (1834)  232. 


Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  387 


Df.scr-I'tion. 

Upper  parts  nearly  uniform  and  clear  olive-green,  the  feathers  of  the  crowi,  «iih 
rather  darUer  shafts;  under  parts  generally,  except  the  middle  of  the  belly  heliind. 
and  under  tail  coverts  (which  arc  white),  bright  gamboge- j'el low,  with  obsolete 
streaks  of  dusky  on  the  sides  of  the  breast  and  body;  sides  of  head  and  neck  olive- 
green  like  the  back,  with  a  broad  superciliary  stripe;  the  eyelids  and  a  spot  beneath 
the  eye  very  obscurely  yellow;  wings  and  fail  brown;  the  feathers  edged  with  dirtv 
white,  and  two  bands  of  the  same  across  the  coverts;  inner  web  of  the  first  tail 
feather  with  nearly  the  terminal  half,  of  the  second  w'th  nearly  the  terminal  tin'id, 
dull  inconspicuous  wliite. 

Length,  five  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  inches;  tail,  two  and 
forty  one-hundredths  inches. 


2nO 


OfiNITHni.OOV   AND  OOLOOY. 


This  Hpocii'H  nrrivcH  from  tin-  Soufh  vniy  onrly,  oftfn 
bt'foro  tlio  liiHt  Hiiow-Htorm  ">f  tin'  si'iisoii,  iiml  nMoains  in 
the  (loop  8\viiinj»H  of  liriulncks  or  piiii's  until  tlio  woiitlu'i 
opouH.  AlMHit  tlu;  lirsl  \v»M'k  in  .Iiiik-,  tlio  Idrds  hocoiiii' 
Hcarco,  aii<l  sddii  Imf  wry  i'ow  oiiu  l)o  fniiiid.  A  iioHt  with 
two  ojrgs,  foimd  ill  Wnliiirii,  Mass. ;  and  aiiothor  nost  with 
throo  offgs,  from  West  lloxbury,  in  tlio  sanio  Stato,  —  aro  all 
tlio  HpocinionH  uccossilili^  to  mo  at  the  [irosont  timo.  Those 
nosts  wiTO  liuilfc  in  forks  of  pinc-tnicH,  aliont  twenty  foot 
from  till-  i^roniid.  Tliijy  aro  oonstructt'd  of  the  hark  of  tho 
ci'dnr  and  loaves  of  tiie  pine:  those  materials  are  intwinod 
into  a  neat  structure,  which  is  warmly  lined  with  mosses, 
and  hairs  of  different  animals.  The  eggs  are  of  a  Idiiish- 
white,  with  a  sll;ilit  roseate  tint:  this  primary  color  is  dotted 
with  spots  of  two  shad(!s  of  l)ro\vn  and  reddish,  and  some, 
spots  of  purple.  Dimensions  vary  from  .09  by  .50  inch  to 
.(57  by  .")1  inch. 

In  the  migrations,  these  birds  associate  in  detached  flocks  : 
ill  the  spring  they  are  in  company  v/ith  the  Red-poll 
Warblers ;  and,  in  tlie  fall,  with  tho  Yellow-rumps. 

They  are,  in  tho  summer,  almost  always  oliservod  in  the 
pine-groves,  actively  traversing  tho  liml)s  and  branches, 
sometimes  with  tho  movements  of  the  Creepers  and  Titmice, 
sometimes  witli  those  of  the  Warblers,  and  often  flying 
from  tho  foliage  and  seizing  an  insect  on  the  wing,  like  tho 
Flycatchers. 

Their  song  is  now  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  tho  Field 
Sparrow,  or  perhaps  more  like  a  mixture  of  .that  and  the 
song  of  the  Indigo-bird,  if  such  can  be  imagined.  It  con- 
sists of  the  syllables  tweet  ^weet  'weet  ^weet  ''iveet  ^weety  uttered 
at  first  slow  and  faint,  but  rapidly  increasing  in  utterance 
and  volume.  Besides  this,  it  has  a  sort  of  trilling  note, 
like  fre  We  We  're  We  We,  uttered  softly  and  listlessly. 

In  the  autumn,  they  add  to  tiieir  usual  insect-food  small 
berries  and  seeds:  they  are  now  nearly  silent,  having  only 
a  quick,  sharp  chirp.     They  are  scattered  through  the  fields 


TMK    rilKSTN'T-PIDKn    WAUm.rit. 


i.':U 


aiul  woods,  and  soom  lo  Im*  a.s  niurh  on  I  In;  jp'i»uii<l  as  in 
Mio  trees.  Till'/  <lt'piirt  for  the  Suutli  by  the  lOtli  or 
ISth  of  Octol)ci'. 


DENDROICA   PENNSTLVANICA.  -  Hmrd. 
The  Chestnut-sided  Warbler. 

AfolncHh  PinnniilMiiirn,  I.innii'iH.     Syst.  \af.,  I.  (1701)  .113. 
{fi/lnn  Prnmylmnicn,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  (isnx)  Pt). 

R<jkla  icltrocephala,  Audubdn.  Om.  Hiog.,  I.  (l»<82)  800.  Null.  M.ui.,  1. 
(1832) 380. 

DKSCmPTION. 

Mile.  —  rppiT  piirtu  streaked  will)  l)Iiii'k  niiil  piilo  !lllli^ll-;,'l•ny,  wliii'li  lici'iimct 
Hourly  wliito  on  the  I'lircpnrt  of  tlu!  luuk;  the  luiiMli'  (if  the  back  i,'l'>'"''''il  with 
«TPeni»h-yellow;  the  crown  is  oontiniiou.s  yclliiw,  borderecl  liyafVimlnl  and  mipcr- 
riliarv-  hand,  and  ln'hind  liy  tt  ."ipiare  spot  of  white;  lonil  region  hlaik,  sendiuf,'  nil' 
a  line  over  ihe  eye,  and  another  liehiw  it;  ear  covert.*  and  lower  eyeli<l  mid  entire 
under  parts  puri'-white,  a  pnrplisli-eliestnut  stripe  slartinj;  on  eai  h  side  in  a  line 
witli  the  hlaek  inonstaiho,  and  extending  hack  to  the  thighs;  winj;  and  tail  feathers 
dark-hrown,  elided  with  hluish-f^ray,  except  the  secondaries  and  tertiald,  which  are 
bordered  with  l!;;lit  yellowish-green;  the  shoulders  with  two  f^rfcnlsh-white  lianiU; 
three  outer  tail  feathers  with  white  patches  near  the  end  of  the  inner  webs. 

h'emnh  like  tln^  male,  except  that  the  upper  parts  are  yrllowish-ffrecn,  streaked 
with  black;  the  black  moustache  scarcely  api>reciable. 

Length,  live  inches;  wing,  two  and  fitty  one-hundredlhs  inches;  tail,  two  and 
twenty  one-hundredth.s  inches. 

Tliis  bird  is  a  ratber  common  summer  inbahitant  of  all 
New  Piiiglaiul,  being  most  plentiful  in  Massaclnisotts  and 
tbo  States  soutli,  and  gradually  growing  more  rare  as  wo 
advance  nortb.  It  makes  its  appearance  from  tbe  Soutb 
about  tbe  first  to  tbc  middle  of  May,  according  to  latitude, 
and  commences  to  build  al)()ut  tbe  last  week  in  tins  montii 
or  tbe  first  in  June.  Tbe  nest  is  usually  built  in  a  small 
fork  of  a  low  tree,  often  in  busbes,  but  a  few  feet  from  tbe 
ground.  It  is  constructed  of  tbin  strips  of  pliable  bark  and 
fine  grasses:  tliesc  matci.  ds  are  bent  and  intwincdtogctbor, 
and  over  tbe  outside  arc  pieces  of  caterpillar  silk  and  col)- 
webs,  which  are  plastered  d.i,  seemingly  to  give  tbe  l\xbric 
compactness  and  consistency.  The  nest  is  deeply  hollowed, 
and  lined  with  horsehairs  and  slender  strips  of  the  bark  of 


'IH 

S 


232 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


the  grape-vine.     Xultall  describes  a  nest  found  in  Acton, 
Mass.,  as  i'olluws  :  — 

"  It  is  fix(Ml  in  tlu'  forked  twi-'s  of  a  liazel.  about  breast-bijrh. 
The  fabric  is  rather  ligiit  ami  airy,  l)eiiig  made  exterualiy  of  a  few 
coarse  blades  and  stalks  of  dead  grass,  then  filled  in  with  fine 
blades  of  the  same ;  the  whole  matted  and  tied  with  caterpillars' 
silk,  and  lined  with  very  slender  strips  of  brown  bark  and  similar 
white-pine  leaves." 

The  nests  whicli  I  liavc  collected,  and  some  I  have  before 
me,  arc  of  a  dificrcnt  character  from  his  desci'iption,  being 
compactly  and  neatly  made  of  bark  from  thr  cedar,  and 
grasses,  and  lined  with  horsehair ;  but  I  have  no  doul)t  that 
this  species,  like  many  others,  varies  in  breeding  habits  in 
different  localities.  The  eggs  are  three  or  four  in  number, 
and  arc  laid  about  the  first  week  in  June.  They  are  of  a 
delicate  creamy-white  color,  and  marked  at  the  great  end 
with  spots  of  brown,  which  are  often  confluent:  the  spots 
are  of  two  colors,  a  reddish-brown  and  purplish-brown. 
The  dimensions  vary  from  .70  by  .51  inch  to  .03  by  .50  inch. 
But  one  brood  is  raised  in  tlie  season  in  this  latitude. 

This  is  another  of  those  birds  wliicii  seem  to  have  become 
quite  abundant  within  a  few  years.  Wilson,  Nuttail,  and 
others  speak  of  it  as  being  a  very  rare  species  ;  and  it  is  now 
one  of  the  most  common  of  birds  in  localities  where  it  was, 
a  few  years  since,  quite  rare.  It  prefers  a  growth  of  low 
shrubs  and  scrub-oaks  and  birches  to  a  forest  of  tall  trees, 
and  is  seldom  seen  in  the  latter. 

Its  note  consists  of  the  syllal)los  ^che  ''che  'ch  -ehcen, 
repeated  at  short  intervals :  it  has  also,  at  times,  a  rattling 
cry  something  like  the  alarm-note  of  the  Maryland  Yellow- 
throat. 

The  female  has  nothing  but  a  sharp  chirp,  which  she 
often  emits  in  answer  to  the  song  of  the  male.  When 
approachcil  while  on  the  nest,  she  sits  quietly  until  the 
intruder  is  quite  near.     1  once  liad  a  dog  make  a  j)oint 


Platk  II. 


Fig.  1,  flroat-prestcrt  FlyCRtclier,  Mijinnliua  rriiiitus.     Cubimis. 

,,  2.  Itlue  Yollow-lmckt'cl  Warblor,  I'nrula  Aiiiiririinn.     Itniiiipiirto. 

,,  3  Water  Thrusli,  .Vi'iHr/i.s-  jVrnv'jurdr^HM.s-.     NuthiU. 

,,  4.  Illiu'k-tliroiiteil  (Irwn  WurbliT,  Untihnira  virens.     UiiirJ. 

„  5.  WliiU'-hclliml  Nutliiitcli.  .S'///a  Currlinmsis.     Oincliii. 

,,  6.  ItfJ-licllicii  Niitliatc'li,  .S'Kdi  ('iiiKiilmsis.     I.iniin'iis. 

,,  7.  Whitu-tliroiitcU  Sparrow,  Xonotrichin  nlbinillis.     Uoiiupartc. 

,.  H.  Snow-liiril,  Junni  hyemiUis.     Scliiter. 

,,  !t.  Tri'i'  Spiirrow,  S/iizrUa  mnntivvln.     naird. 

,.  10,  Uosr-hroaNtt^d  (Iro.itH'ak,  (inirara  Iwlnrtnana.     Swainson 

,,  11.  Orc'lmnl  Orinlp,  /r((TH,»  .spiiriu.s.     IlouapMrtc 

,,  I'J.  Ruat)r  Blackbird,  Scolecophagusftrruginnts.     fwaiiiNcm. 


at  OIK 
pcrmi 

By 

appar( 
and  V 


Mnn 
Nat.,  I. 

Sijln 
Aud.  0 

S<ilv. 
447.    N 


Jfdl 
the  car 
rest  of  1 
black; 
witli  du 
tials  edj 
throat  1 
black  SI 
tail  foal 
interna 

Fen 
crown, 
with  yc 

Len 
tail,  tw 


Til 

Engl 
to  br 
ing  I 
arriv 
cccdi 
aboil 
coUe 
they 
stnu 


THE   BLACK-POLL   WAllIJLKI!. 


!:J3 


at  one  while  she  was  sittuig  on  her  nest,  and  she  almost 
permitted  mc  to  touch  her  before  she  flew  off. 

By  tiie  first  week  in  September,  the  old  birds  and  young, 
apparently  in  a  group  by  themselves,  leave  for  the  South, 
and  winter  in  Panama  and  the  Bahamas. 

DENDEOICA   STRIATA Buinl. 

The  Black-poll  Warbler. 

Miitcicapa  itiiatn,  Forster.  PhiJos.  Trans.,  LXIL  (1772)  3?3,  428.  Gm.  Sysl. 
Nat.,  I.  (17SS)  930- 

Sijh-iii  striatn,  Wilson.  An.  Orii.,  IV.  (1811)  40.  Niitt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  383. 
Ami.  Orn.  Piog.,  JL  (1834)  201. 

tiijlvia  milnmmlis,  Wilson.  Am.  Oni.,  III.  (1811)  G5.  And.  Orn.  Piog.,  I.  (1882) 
447.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832),  390.     (Female  or  young  in  autumn.) 

Description. 

^Me.  —  Crown,  nape,  and  upper  half  of  the  head  black;  the  lower  lialf,  including 
the  car  coverts,  white,  the  separating  line  passing  tlirough  the  middle  of  the  eye; 
rest  of  upper  parts  grayish-ash,  tinged  with  brown,  and  conspicuously  streaked  with 
black ;  wing  and  tail  feathers  brown,  edged  externally  (e.xcept  the  inner  tail  feathers) 
with  dull  olive-green;  two  conspicuous  bars  of  white  on  the  wing  coverts,  the  tcr- 
tials  edged  with  the  same;  under  parts  wliite,  with  a  narrow  line  on  each  side  the 
throat  from  the  chin  to  the  sides  of  the  neck,  where  it  runs  into  a  close  patch  of 
black  streaks  continued  along  the  breast  and  sides  to  the  root  of  the  tail;  outer  two 
tail  feathers  with  an  oblique  patch  on  the  inner  web  near  the  end,  the  others  edged 
internally  with  white. 

Female  similar,  except  that  the  upper  parts  are  olivaceous,  and,  even  on  the 
crown,  streaked  with  black;  the  white  on  the  sides  iind  across  the  breast  tinged 
with  yellowish;  a  ring  of  ths  same  round  the  ej'e,  cut  by  a  dusky  line  through  it. 

Length  of  male,  live  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  inches; 
tail,  two  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches. 

Tliis  bird,  althougli  very  abundant  in  all  parts  of  New 
England  in  the  spiing  migrations,  passes  far  to  the  north 
to  breed ;  but  few  remain  in  the  States  through  the  breed- 
ing season,  and  these  in  the  most  northern  districts.  It 
arrives  from  the  South  about  the  last  week  in  May,  and  pro- 
ceeds leisurely  on  its  journey,  arriving  at  its  destination 
about  the  second  week  in  June.  I  have  two  nests  in  m^ 
collection,  both  found  in  the  nortliern  part  of  Maine: 
they  were  placed  in  low  trees  or  saplings,  and  arc  con- 
structed   of   first   a  layer   of  twigs   and   grass,   then   the 


■'    :  J  - 


234 


OriNITIIOLOOY   AND    00L0(;Y. 


leaves  of  the  pine,  niul  moss;  these  materials  are  twined 
into  a  conipaet  structure,  somewhat  bulky,  and  deeply 
hollowed,  and  lined  with  feailiers  of  wild  birds  and  hairs 
of  diirorent  animals.  A  nest  •:;omplement  of  four  eggs  in  my 
eoUection.  furnished  l)y  my  friend,  George  A.  Boardman, 
arc  of  a  grayish-white  color,  thickly  marked  with  spots  and 
iilotches  of  two  or  three  shades  of  brown  and  purple. 
Dimensions  vary  from  .71  by  .04  inch,  to  .66  by  .50  inch. 
Audubon  describes  the  only  nest  of  this  bird  that  he 
c\cr  "let  with  as  follows:  — 

"  It  was  placed  about  three  feet  from  the  ground,  in  the  fork  of 
a  small  braucli,  close  to  the  main  stem  of  a  fir-tree.  Its  diameter 
internally  was  two  inches,  the  depth  one  and  a  half:  externally,  it 
resembled  tlie  nest  of  a  white-crowned  sparrow,  being  formed  of 
green  anrl  wliite  moss  and  lichens,  intermixed  with  coarse  dried 
grass ;  witliin  tliis  was  a  layer  of  bent  grass,  and  the  lining  was  of 
very  dark-colored,  dry  moss,  looking  precisely  like  horsehair, 
arranged  in  a  circular  direction  with  great  care.  Lastly,  there  waa 
a  thick  bed  of  large,  soft  feathers,  some  of  which  were  from  ducks, 
but  most  of  them  from  willow-grouse." 

The  same  author  describes  the  habits  of  this  bird  as 
follows :  — 

"  You  see  it  darting  in  all  directions  after  insects",  .  ,.  •'nff  them 
on  the  wing,  and  not  unfrequently  snapping,  so  as  to  f  nii*  'lie  click- 
ing sound  characteristic  of  the  true  Flycatcher.  lis  activity  is 
pleasing ;  but  its  notes  have  no  title  to  be  called  a  song.  They  are 
shi'ill,  and  resemble  the  noise  made  by  striking  two  small  pebbles 
together,  more  than  any  other  sound  I  know." 

I  cannot  agree  with  Professor  Baird,  that  the  Autumnal 
Warbler  of  authors,  and  the  young  of  the  Bay-breasted, 
are  identical,  at  least  in  New  England  ;  but  I  am  persuaded 
that  the  young  of  the  present  species  is  the  Sylvia  autumnalis. 
Arid  it  seems  to  me,  that  no  other  argument  is  needed  to 
establish  this  beyond  a  doubt,  than  the  fact,  that  the  Bay- 
breasted  Warble.-  is  very  rare,  in  all  this  section  of  the  coun- 


7' ,  ■*:.■ 


THK    BLACK-POLL   WAHHLKU. 


285 


f^i^ 


try,  in  spring  and  simimor ;  and  that  it  sliould  l)cooine 
exceedingly  alnmdant  in  autumn  is  inconsistent  with  reason 
and  nature.  The  description  of  the  young  of  the  Black-poll 
also  agrees  with  that  of  the  Autumnal  Warbler,  as  do  also 
its  habits  and  characteristics. 

I  will  append  Wilson's  description  of  the  hal)its  of  the 
Black-poll  and  Autumnal  Warbler,  and  also  tlieir  general 
description.     He  says  of  the  Autumnal  Warbler, — 

"  This  pl.ain  little  species  regularly  visits  Pennsylvania  from  the 
North,  in  the  month  of  October,  gleaning  among  the  willow-leaves, 
hut,  wliat  is  singular,  is  rarely  seen  in  spring.  From  the  1st  to  the 
15th  of  October,  tliey  may  be  seen  in  considerable  numbers,  almost 
every  day,  in  gardens,  particularly  among  the  branches  of  the 
weeping-'villow,  and  seem  exceedingly  industrious.  They  have 
some  resemblance,  in  color,  to  the  Pine-creeping  Warbler,  but  do 
not  run  along  the  trunk  like  that  bird,  neither  do  they  give  a 
preference  to  the  pines.  They  are  also  less.  After  the  1st  of 
November,  they  are  no  longer  to  be  found,  unless  the  season  be 
uncommonly  mild.  These  birds  doubtless  pass  through  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  spring,  on  their  way  to  the  North  ;  but  either  make  a  very 
hasty  journey,  or  frequent  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees :  for  I  have 
never  yet  met  with  one  of  them  in  that  season,  though  in  October 
I  have  seen  more  than  a  hundred  in  an  afternoon's  excursion. 

"  Length,  four  inches  and  three-quarters  ;  breadth,  eight  inches  ; 
whole  upper  parts  olive-green,  streaked  on  the  back  with  dusky 
stripes ;  tail  coverts  ash,  tipped  with  olive ;  tail  black,  edged  with 
dull-white ;  the  three  exterior  feathers  marked  near  the  tip  with 
white ;  wings  deep-dusky,  edged  with  olive,  and  crossed  with  two 
bars  of  white ;  primaries  also  tipped,  and  three  secondaries  next 
the  body  edged  with  white  ;  upper  mandible  dusky-brown  ;  lower,  as 
well  as  the  chin  and  breast,  dull-yellow  ;  belly  iind  vent  white  ;  legs 
dusky-brown ;  feet  and  claws  j'ellow  ;  a  pale-yellow  ring  surrounds 
the  eye.  Tiie  males  of  these  birds  often  warble  out  some  low  but 
rery  sweet  notes,  while  searching  among  the  leaves  in  autumt ." 

He  says  of  the  Black-poll  Warbler,  — 

"  This  species  has  considerable  affinity  to  the  Flycatchers  in  its 
habits.     It  is  chielly  confined  to  the  woods,  and,  even  there,  to  the 


■'^  •-4 


■fj* 


2:]G 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


to[>s  of  tlio  tallest  ti('(!s,  wlierti  it  is  di-scriiid  skipjiiiiij  from  hriuich 
to  branch  in  pursuit,  of  winged  insf(;ts.  Its  nott;  is  a  single  srrcep, 
scarcely  audible  from  below.  It  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the 
20th  of  April,  and  is  first  seen  on  the  tops  of  the  higliest  n^ajjles, 
darting  about  among  tiie  blossoms.  jjJls  the  woods  thicken  with 
leaves,  it  may  be  found  pretty  generally,  being  none  of  the  least 
numerous  of  our  summer  birds.  It  is,  hf)wever,  most  partial  to 
woods  in  the  inunediate  neighborhood  of  creeks,  swamps,  or  mo- 
rasses, probably  from  the  greater  number  of  its  favorite  insects 
frequenting  such  places.  It  is  also  pretty  generally  diffused  over 
the  United  States,  having  myself  met  with  it  in  most  quarters 
of  the  Union,  though  its  nest  has  hitherto  defied  all  my  researches." 

He  then  says  of  tlie  female  Black-poll, — 

"  From  its  habit  of  keeping  on  the  highest  branches  of  trees,  it 
probably  builds  in  such  situations,  and  its  nest  may  long  remain 
unknown  to  us. 

''  Pennant,  who  describes  this  species,  says  that  it  inhabits,  during 
summer,  Newfoundland  and  New  York,  and  is  called  in  the  last 
Sailor.  This  riiiri",  for  which,  however,  no  reason  is  given,  must 
he  very  local ;  a^  the  birl  itself  is  one  of  those  silent,  shy,  and  soli- 
tary individuals  'hat  seek  the  deep  retreat  of  the  forest,  and  are 
known  to  few  or  none  but  the  naturalist. 

"  Length  of  the  female  Black-cap  five  inches  and  a  quarter, 
extent  eight  and  a  vparter ;  bill  brownish-black ;  crown  yellow- 
olive,  streaked  with  bliick;  ojick  the  same,  mixed  with  some  psdc- 
slate;  wings  ducky-brown,  edged  with  olive;  first  and  second  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  white ;  tertials  .  edged  with  yellowish-white  ; 
tail  covert?  pale-gray ;  tail  dusky,  forked,  the  two  exterior  feathers 
marked  on  their  inner  vaues  with  a  spot  of  white ;  round  the  eye 
is  a  whitish  ring ;  cheeks  and  sides  of  the  breast  tinged  with  yellow, 
and  slightly  spot  u^d  with  'ohxck;  chin  white,  as  are  ahi  the  belly 
and  vent;  legs  nno  feet  duly-nrange. 

"The  young  birdoi  'i'.e first  season,  and  the  female,  as  is  usually 
the  case,  are  very  much  alilce  in  luraage.  On  their  arrival,  early 
in  April,  the  black  feathers  on  thv  crown  are  frequently  seen  coming 
out,  intermixed  with  the  former  ash-colored  ones. 

"  This  species  has  all  the  agility  and  many  of  the  habits  of  the 
Flycatcher." 


THK   YELLOW    WARBLER. 


2:}7 


About  the  luiddlc  of  October,  sometimes  not  1/cforo  the 
last  of  that  moiitli,  the  IJhiek-pull  Wai'bier  loaves  ou  its 
southern  migration :  at  that  time,  it  has,  in  Now  England 
certainly,  all  the  characteristics  and  habits  of  the  Autumnal 
Warbler  described  above;  and,  having  exanuned  numbers 
of  specimens,  I  conclude,  from  the  reasons  expressed  above, 
that  the  species  are  identical. 


DENDEOICA  JESTIVA.  -  Bwd. 
The  Yellow  Warbler. 

Motacilln  cFStira,  Gmclin.     Syst.  Nut.,  I.  (ITsS)  "J'.W. 
Sylcia  citrintllii,  Wilson.     Am.  Orii  ,  II.  (1810)  111. 
Syh-i(t  cliiltlreni,  Audiilioii.     Oni.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  180. 
Motadlla  ptUchia,  Liiinieus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  334. 

DKsciui-rio}(. 

Bill  lead-color;  head  all  round,  and  iiiidiT  parfs  gcnernlly,  bright-yellow;  rest  ol 
upper  parts  yellow-olivacuous,  brightest  on  the  rump;  buck  with  obsolete  streaks 
of  dusky  reddish-brown;  fore  breast  and  sides  of  the  body  streaked  with  brownish- 
red;  tail  feathers  bright-yellow;  the  outer  webs  and  tips,  with  the  whole  upper  sui- 
luies  of  the  innermost  one,  brown;  extreme  outer  edges  of  wing  and  tail  feathers 
olivaceous,  like  the  buck;  the  middle  and  greater  coverts  and  tcrtials  edged  with 
yellow,  tbrmiug  two  bands  on  the  wings.  Eemale  similar,  with  the  crown  olivaceous, 
like  the  back,  and  the  streaks  wanting  on  the  back,  and  much  restricted  on  the  under 
parts-  tail  with  more  brown. 

Length  of  male,  live  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  sixty- 
six  one-hundredths;  tail,  two  and  twenty-flve  one-hundredths  inches. 

Tills  exceedingly  abundant  species  is  a  summer  resident, 
and  breeds  in  all  the  New-England  States.  It  arrives  from 
the  South  about  the  last  of  April  or  first  of  May,  and  com- 
mences building  about  the  loth  of  the  latter  month.  The 
nest  is  usually  placed  iu  a  low  bush,  frequently  the  bar- 
berry. Occasionally,  it  is  built  in  an  alder  or  maple  tree, 
seldom  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  the  ground, 
although  Mr.  Nuttall  gives  instances  of  its  b^jing  built  in  tlio 
forks  of  a  sugar-maple-tree,  fifty  feet  from  the  ground :  this, 
however,  is  a  very  rare  case.  Nuttall's  description  of  the 
nest  is  the  best  I  have  seen,  and  I  give  it  entire:  — 

"  The  nest  is  extremely  ueat  and  durable ;  the  exterior  is  formed 
of  lavers  of  asclepias,  or  silk-weed  lint,  glutinously  tlioiigh  tilighti^ 


^  t3 


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wimm 


•2:]S 


OKNITIIOLOUY   AND   OOLOtJY. 


iittaclu;<l  to  the  supportiiiy  twigs,  mixed  with  some  .nU'iKhir  strips  of 
line  hark  and  piiie-loaw-s,  and  thickly  bedded  with  the  down  of  wil- 
lows, the  nankeen  wool  of  the  Virginia  cotton-grass  (Urioji/torum 
Virjinicvm),  tlie  down  of  line  stalks,  the  hair  of  the  downy  seeds 
of  the  button-wood  {Plalanus),  or  the  papus  of  compound  flowers, 
and  then  lined  either  with  fine  bent  grass  {Ayrostis),  or  down,  and 
horsehaii',  and  rarely  with  a  few  accidental  feathers." 

The  eggs  uro  usually  four  in  nuiubor,  souiL'tinics  fivo : 
:liuy  vary  in  color  from  creamy-wiiite,  with  miiucrous  spots 
iiiid  blotchos  of  (liflbront  shades  of  brown,  to  a  grayish-white 
with  a  grcenisli  tint,  and  marked  with  the  same  spots  and 
blotches ;  tliese  markings  are  thickest  at  tiie  larger  end  of 
tlie  egg,  where  tliey  are  often  confluent.  Dimensions  vaxy 
from  .07  by  .50  inch  to  .04  by  .50  inch.  The  habits  of  this 
bird  are  well  known ;  and  its  genial,  nature  and  confid- 
ing disposition  have  rendered  it  a  great  favorite  with  the 
farmer. 

DENDEOICA  MACULOSA.  —  A/i,</. 

The  Black  and  Tellow  Warbler ;  Maguolia  Warbler. 

Motacilla  macutosf^j,  Gmelin.     Syst.,  I.  (1788)  984. 

Sylvia  maculita,  Nuttall.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  370.  Aud.  Cm.  Bioj;.,  I.  (1831)  260 
II.  (1S34)  146;  V      1839)458. 

^Ivia  magrmlin.  \\'ilson.    Am.  Om.,  HI.  (1811)  63. 

l)KSCl!U>TIOX. 

^fale,  in  sprlny.  —  Rill  dark  bluish-black,  riitlior  llKhtor  boneatli;  tail  dusky, 
Kip  of  bead  light  grayish-blue;  front,  lore,  cheek,  and  a  stripe  und^r  the  eye,  black, 
running  into  a  large  triangular  patch  on  the  back,  between  the  wings,  which  is  also 
black;  eyelids  and  a  stri|)c  from  the  eye  along  the  head  wliite:  upper  tail  coverts 
black,  some  of  the  feiithers  tipped  with  grayish;  abdomen  and  lower  tail  coverta 
white;  rump  and  under  parts,  except  as  described,  yellow;  lower  throat,  breast,  and 
sides  streaked  with  black,  the  streaks  closer  on  the  lower  throat  and  forebrciujt; 
lesser  wing  coverts,  and  edges  of  the  wing  and  tail,  bluish-gray,  the  former  spotted 
with  black;  (|uills  and  tail  almost  black,  the  latter  with  a  square  patch  of  white  on 
the  inner  v;vh>  of  all  the  tail  feathers  (but  the  two  imier),  beyond  the  middle  of  the 
tail;  two  white  bands  across  the  wings  (sometimes  coalesced  into  one),  formed  by 
the  small  coverts  and  secondaries;  part  of  the  edge  of  the  inner  webs  of  the  quills 
white;  feathers  margining  the  black  patch  on  the  back  behind  and  on  the  sides 
tinged  with  greenish. 

Second  an.l  third  quills  longest,  first  shorter  than  fiuirth ;  tail  rounded,  emarginate. 

Female,  in  sprini/.  —  In  general  appearance  like  the  male,  but  with  the  corre- 
sponding colors  much  duller;  the  black  on  the  back  reduced  to  a  lew  large  proxi- 


TlIK    lil.A(K    AND    VKLLOW    WAUULKIl. 


280 


niiitf  spots;  tlic  spots  on  the  uikIit  parts  iiiucli  fuwur;  u|ip.r  purLs  (li^ty-u^ll,  tinged 
with  fjrtLliisli  on  the  lowiT  back;  on  the  rump  (liill-yi'lli.w. 

Male,  in  iiuliiiiui.  —  Hill  brown,  liglitor  alonj^  tliu  edges  and  base  ot'  lower  inan- 
dibli.';  liead  and  liind  iieek  dirly-a>li,  tinged  above  wilU  green;  back  greenish- 
yellow,  obsok'tely  spotted  willi  blaek;  ninii)  yellow;  tlirnat  and  breast  yellow, 
(ibsolctely  spotted  with  blaek,  strongly  tingeil  witli  liglit-asli  on  the  lower  throat; 
eyelids  dirty-white;  ditlerit  Ironi  the  spring  plumage  in  being  without  the  blaek  on 
the  baek,  front,  sides  of  the  bead  and  eheeks,  uml  in  a  great  degree  on  the  under 
parts;  uiueh  less  white  on  the  wing  and  side  of  the  head;  the  colore  generally 
uU3  are  <lullcr. 

Female,  ill  autumn.  —  Similar,  generally,  to  the  male  in  full.  Hack  grceni.sh- 
yallow,  brighter  on  the  rump;  rest  of  upper  parts  deep-ush ;  lower  parts  yellow, 
cbsoletely  streaked  with  black,  the  light-ash  on  the  lower  throat  decided;  the 
white  on  the  wings  reduced  to  two  narrow  bands.  There  is  a  continuous  white  ring 
round  the  eye;  bill  light  bro.vn;  basal  part  of  lower  mandible  dirty-white;  feet 
lighter  brown. 

Specimens  vary  somewhat  in  the  amount  of  black  on  the  under  parts. 

Length,  live  inches ;  wing,  two  and  lifty  oue-hundredths ;  tail,  two  and  twenty-five 
onc-hundrudths  inches. 

Tliis  beautiful  bird  is  not  uiicommoiL  in  tlie  migrations 
in  the  tluco  southern  New-England  States,  and  is  a  summer 
resident  in  the  others.  It  does  not  make  its  appearance 
before  the  10th  of  May,  and 
proceeds  slowly  in  its  travels. 
1  found  numbers  in  Nortlierii  \^V' 
Maine  and  New  Ilampsliire  as 
late  as  the  17th  of  June.  They 
were  uidustrious,  and  seemed  to  /^"'^i  i 
be,  at  that  lato  date,  but  just<^ 
mating.  Hence  I  infer  that  they 
rear  but  one  brood,  and  not  until 
late  in  the  season. 

The  note  of  the  male  is  very 
similar  to  that  of  the  Chestnut- 
sided  Warbler ;  and  I  was  de- 
ceived by  it  into  mistaking  this 
for  that  species.  It  had  tlie  hal> 
its  of  that  bird  also,  imd  seemed 
to  prefer  the  low,  swampy  woods  to  the  higher  ones. 

Although  I  looked  very  carefully  and  diligently  for  the 
nest,  I  could  not  find  it.     From  the  fact  that  tlie  birds  were 


Upp'T  flR.,  Yellow  Warbler. 
Lower  flg.,  151ack  and  Yellow  Warbler 


^ 


^3 


240 


OltMTIIOLOCJV    AND   OOLO(iY. 


almost  always  in  or  near  clt'iiiings  or  young  growtli,  I  judgo 
that  tlujy  UL'st  in  such  localitios.  Mr.  llutuhins  iuforins  us, 
that,  in  tho  Hudson's  Day  country,  the  nest  is  built  in  wil- 
lows, and  tliat  it  is  constructed  of  grass  and  leathers:  ho 
also  says  that  the  I'enialo  lays  lour  eggs.  1  can  find  no 
other  deserijition  of  the  nest  or  eggs. 

After  tho  2oth  of  Se])tenil)er,  none  are  to  bo  found  in 
New  England. 

DENDROICA   TIGHINA.  —  limid. 

The  Cape-May  Warbler. 

ifutncilhi  liyrim,  (Jmiliii.     S^  -I.  Nal.,  1.  ( 17SS)  itSri. 

SyU'ia  iiKtiiliiiKi,  Wilson.  Am.  Urn.,  VI.  (1812J  I'U.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  166. 
Aud.  Oiii.  Uiog.,  V.  (ISii'J)  150. 

I>ESCnilTION. 

Hill  viTv  iiiiitc,  conical,  and  dcciiiodi  y  curved ;  bill  and  feet  black ;  upper  part  of 
liiacl  (liill-lilac  k.  M>int'  nf  tlii'  tialliii-s  laintly  margined  with  li^rht  ycllowiRh-bnnvn; 
collar  iicarccly  iiiieling  behind;  rump  and  under  parts  ^ciierally  rich-yellow;  throat, 
foro  part  of  breast,  and  sides,  streaked  with  black ;  alidonien  and  lower  fail  coverts 
pale-yellow,  brif^liter  uliout  the  vent ;  ear  coverts  Huhl  redilisli-ebestnut ;  back  part  of 
a  yellow  line  iVoni  nostrils  over  the  eye,  ol'  this  same  color;  chin  and  throat  tinged 
also  with  it;  a  black  lino  from  commissure  through  the  eye,  and  running  into  tha 
chestnut  of  the  ear  coverts;  back,  shoulder,  edges  of  the  wing  and  tail,  yellowish- 
olive,  the  former  spotted  with  dusky;  one  row  of  small  coverts,  and  outer  bases  of 
the  secondary  coverts,  form  a  large  patch  of  white,  tinged  with  pule-yellow ;  tcrtials 
rather  broadly  edged  with  brownish-white;  (luills  and  fail  dark-brown,  the  three 
outer  feathers  of  the  latter  largely  nnirked  with  while  on  the  inner  web;  edge  of  tho 
outer  web  of  the  outer  leathers  white,  nuae  perceptible  towards  the  ba.se. 

Length,  five  and  twenty-live  one-hundrcdths  inches;  wing,  two  and  eighty-four 
one-huudredths;  tail,  two  and  lifleen  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  species  appears  to  he  quite  rare  in  New  England, 
but  it  probably  occurs  regularly  in  the  migrations.  It  is 
said  to  breed  in  south-eastern  Maine,  and  it  probably  does 
so  in  the  northern  sections. 


DENDEOICA   PALMAEDM.  —  fiaW. 

The  Yellow  Eed-poll  Warbler. 

Motacilla  palmanim,  Gmelin.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  9C1. 

Syhia  petechin,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VI.  (1812)  10.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  36*. 
Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834;  259,  360. 


THR   PRAIRIR   WAUHLKIl. 


241 


Pk^cription, 

Iloail  above  cht'nlnnt-n'd ;  rent  of  iipp^r  piirtu  hnnviiisli  olive-prny;  tlio  iVutli.  r< 
'vith  darker  ccntren,  tlio  color  liri^'lileiiiu^'  on  t\u>.  riiinp,  upper  tail  covorts,  and  oiitor 
nmrir;n»  of  wins  and  tiiil  I'eutluTrt,  to  ffreiMiish-ycUow;  ttBtrcnk  from  no.strilo  ovlt  iIh' 
eve,  HI  !  undor  parts  (^ciifrally,  including;  thi!  tail  coverts,  lirijilit-yiUnw;  pidcr  on 
llie  body;  a  nmxillary  line;  breast  and  sicK'S  fin  dy  but  nilber  ot)siililily  slrcakiil 
Avitb  reddish-brown;  cheeks  brownish  (in  iii^liest  spring  phnnaj^o,  clic-lriut  like  tin' 
Iliad);  the  eyelids  and  a  spot  Under  the  eye  olive-brown;  lores  dii-ky ;  a  white  spot 
on  the  inner  web  of  the  outer  two  tail  feathers  at  the  end. 

f.ength,  five  inches;  wini:;,  two  and  forty-fwo  one-hundrcdths;  tail,  two  and 
twenty-flve  one-hundredtha  inches. 

This  is  one  of  the  earliest  of  our  apriiiji  visitoi-s,  ariiviiig 
sometimes  as  early  as  the  fast  week  in  April:  it  is  (jiiito 
abundant  until  the  second  week  of  May,  when  it  moves  on 
to  its  northern  breeding-homes.  While  here,  it  prefers  the 
neighborhood  of  a  swampy  thicket,  and  is  seldom  seen  in 
high  dry  woods.  It  is,  like  the  dtltci"  Warblers,  always 
actively  employed  in  searching  for  insects,  which  it  captures 
as  often  while  on  the  wing  as  otherwise.  Its  note  is  a  faint 
tinkle  like  that  of  the  Golden-crested  Wren.  There  are  only 
a  few  that  breed  in  New  England.  I  have  in  my  collection  a 
nest  and  eggs  collected  in  Northern  Maine  by  Mr.  George 
A.  Boardman,  of  Calais.  Tlu  nest  was  ])laced  on  tin; 
ground.  It  is  constiMctcd  loosely,  first  of  stalks  of  weeds 
and  grasses :  above  these  is  placed  n  layer  of  fine  roots  and 
grass ;  then  are  laid  pieces  of  moss,  caterpillars'  silk,  fine 
grasses,  and  hairs ;  and  the  whole  is  deeply  hollowed,  and 
lined  with  fine  roots  and  pine-leaves.  Two  eggs  in  the  nest 
are  of  a  delicate  white,  with  a  faint  roseate  tint:  they  are 
marked  at  the  larger  end  with  fine  spots  and  blotches  of 
reddish  and  brown.  They  are  about  the  size  of  the  eggs 
of  the  Blue  Yellow-backed  Warbler,  being  .61  by  .50  inch 
and  .62  by  .51  inch. 


:  'J 


.^jj  ^i 


DENDEOICA    DISCOLOR.  —  Bnird. 

The  Prairie  Warbler. 

Sylvia  discolor,  Vicillot.    Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  II.  (1807)  87. 
(1S81)  76.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  294. 

Sylvia  minuta,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  III.  (1811)  87. 

16 


Aud.  Om.  Bio^.,  1. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  {MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1^    12.2 


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1.25      1.4     ||.6 

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Hiotographic 

Sciences 

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242 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


I)K.SCI!irTrON. 

Al>cive  unirdnii  dlive-firuen;  tlic  miiUlIo  of  the  back  streaked  witli  brownish-red 
Unilcr  purls  .uid  sides  ot'  the  head,  including  a  brond  supercilinrj-  lino  from  the  nos- 
trils to  a  little  behind  the  eye,  bright-yellow,  brightest  anteriorly;  a  well-delined 
narrow  sliipe  from  the  eommissure  of  the  mouth  throngh  the  eye,  and  another  from 
the  same  point  curving  gently  below  it,  also  a  series  of  streaks  on  caeli  side  of  the 
body,  extending  from  tlie  throat  to  the  flanks,  black;  qnills  imd  tail  feathers  brown, 
fdged  with  white;  the  terminal  half  of  the  inner  web  of  the  lirst  and  second  tail 
feathers  white;  two  yellowish  bands  on  the  wings.  Female  similar,  but  duUci; 
the  dorsal  streaks  indistinct. 

I-englh,  four  and  eiglity-six  onc-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  twenty-five 
onn-hundredths;  tail,  two  and  ten  onc-hundrcdths  inches. 


This  beautiful  bird  is  not  very  common  iu  any  part  of 
New  England ;  and  it  appears  to  be  a  rather  rare  species 
north  of  Massachusetts,  which  State  seems  to  be  its  northern 
breeding  limit.  It  makes  its  appearance  about  the  tliinl 
week  in  3Iay,  and  commences  building  about  the  last  of 
that  month.  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  find  two  nests 
in  Norfolk  County,  and  have  had  another  nest  and  eggs  sent 
nic  from  Belmont,  in  this  State :  I  have  also  known  of  sev- 
eral other  nests  being  found,  and  judge  that  the  species 
breeds  not  Tincoinmonly  in  Massachusetts  and  the  other  two 
southern  New-England  States.  Tliese  nests  were  all  placed 
in  low  barberry  bushes,  in  rocky  localities.  They  are  ex- 
ceedingly neat  structures,  the  most  so  of  any  of  our  New- 
England  Warblers'  nests :  they  are  constructed  of  various 
soft  cottony  substances,  after  the  manner  of  the  nest  of  tlie 
Yellow  Warbler,  and  arc  lined  with  soft  feathers  and  wool. 
The  eggs  are  usually  three  in  number.  These  are  of  a  beau- 
tiful pearly-white  color,  with  a  slight  roseate  tint,  and  cov- 
ered irregularly  with  small  spots  of  different  shades  of 
brown  and  lilac,  thickest  at  the  large  end.  Dimensions  of 
ihroe  eggs  collected  in  Belmont,  Mass. :  .G4  by  .52  inch,  .63 
by  .52  inch,  .60  by  .50  inch.  The  above-described  nests 
were  invariably  placed  in  the  fork  of  the  bush  in  which 
they  were  built :  the  materials  were  the  same,  consisting  of 
the  down  from  different  plants,  cotton,  wool,  and  other  like 
Bubstances.     I  find,  on  referring  to  Audubon,  Wilson,  and 


THE   PRAIRIE   WARBLER. 


24a 


others,  considerable  differences  in  the  description  of  the 
nest,  &c.     Wilson's  description  is  os  follows  :  — 

"  The  nest  of  this  species  is  of  very  neat  and  delicate  workman 
ship,  being  pensile,  and  generally  hung  on  the  fork  of  a  low  hush 
or  thicket.  It  is  formed  outwardly  of  green  moss,  intermixed  with 
rotten  bits  of  wood  and  caterpillars'  silk :  the  inside  is  lined  with 
extremely  fine  fibres  of  grape-vine  bark ;  and  the  whole  woul(' 
scarcely  weigh  a  quarter  of  an  ounce." 

Audubon  says, — 

"  Its  nest,  which  forms  by  far  the  most  interesting  part  of  its  his- 
tory, is  uncommonly  small  and  delicate.  Its  eggs  I  have  uniformly 
found  to  be  four  in  number,  and  of  a  white  color,  with  a  few  brown- 
ish spots  near  the  larger  end.  The  nest  is  sometimes  attached  to 
three  or  four  blades  of  tall  grass,  or  hangs  between  two  small  sprigs 
of  a  slender  twig.  At  first  sight,  it  seems  to  be  formed  like  that  of 
the  Humming-bird;  the  external  parts  being  composed  of  deli- 
cate gray  lichens  and  other  substances,  and  skins  of  black  cater- 
pillars, and  the  interior  finished  with  the  finest  fibres  of  dried 
vines." 

Nuttall  says,  in  contradiction  to  these  descriptions,  — 

"  The  nest  was  hardly  distinguishable  from  that  of  the  Summer 
Vellow-bird  (Yellow  Warbler),  being  fixed  in  a  trifid  branch  (not 
pensile),  and  formed  of  strips  of  inner  red-cedar  bark  and  asclepias 
fibres,  also  with  some  caterpillar  silk,  and  thickly  lined  with  cud- 
weed down  (Gnaphalium  plantagineum),  and  slender  tops  of  bent 
grass  (Agrostis).  The  eggs,  four  or  five,  were  white,  rather  sharp 
at  the  lesser  end,  marked  with  spots  of  lilac-purple,  and  others  of 
two  different  shades  of  brown,  rather  numerous  at  the  great  end, 
where  they  appear  most  collated  together  in  a  circle." 

Nuttall's  description  of  the  nest  is  certainly  the  most 
correct,  so  far  as  shown  in  all  the  specimens  that  I  have : 
probably,  in  difTerent  sections,  the  breeding  habits  of  this 
bird  are,  like  those  of  some  others,  subject  to  great  varia- 
tions. 


•4 

Zj 

"  --I 

■n 

'  •* 

f.p. 

J 

(  » 

!• 

ri 

:i 

9S» 
O 


244 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


Wilson  says,  in  his  description  of  tlie  habits  of  tlieso 
birds, — 

"They  seem  to  prefer  these  open  plains  and  thinly  wooded 
tracts,  and  have  this  singularity  in  their  manners,  that  they  are 
not  easily  ahirmcd,  and  search  among  the  leaves  the  most  leisurely 
of  any  of  the  tribe  I  have  yot  met  with ;  seeming  to  examine  every 
blade  of  grass  and  every  leaf;  uttering,  at  short  intervals,  a  feeble 
rJiirr.  I  have  observed  one  of  these  birds  to  sit  on  the  lower 
branch  of  a  tree  for  half  an  hour  at  a  time,  and  allow  me  to  come 
up  nearly  to  the  foot  of  the  tree,  without  seeming  to  be  in  the  least 
disturbed,  or  to  discontinue  the  regularity  of  itil  occasional  note. 
In  activity,  it  is  the  reverse  of  the  preceding  species ;  and  is  rather 
a  scarce  bird  in  the  countries  where  I  found  it.  Its  food  consists 
principally  of  small  caterpillars  and  winged  insects." 

In  closing  with  the  genus  Dendroica,  I  give  the  remarks 
of  J.  A.  Allen  concerning  the  distribution  of  the  different 
species  at  Springfield,  Mass. :  — 

"  Of  the  twenty-two  species  of  Dendroica  inhabiting  the  United 
States,  thirteen  have  been  found  at  Springfield,  and  one  other 
{D.  coerulea)  may  occur  as  accidental  or  extremely  rare.  Four  of 
tliem  (Z).  virens,  pinus,  Pennsylvanica,  cestiva)  are  known  to  breed 
here,  and  two  others  (2).  Blackhurnice,  castanea)  have  been  taken 
in  the  breeding  season.  None  are  permanent  residents,  and  none 
are  seen  in  the  winter.  The  remaining  five  {D.  coronata,  striata, 
7naculosa,  tigrina,  palmarum)  are  at  present  known  merely  as 
spring  and  autumn  visitants.  D.  coronata  is  most  abundant; 
striata  next  so ;  virens,  Canadensis,  maculosa,  estiva,  and  palma- 
rum are  but  little  less  common  ;  Blackhurnice  is  more  rare ;  casta- 
nea and  discolor  are  quite  rare,  while  tigrina  is  extremely  rare. 
The  earliest  to  arrive  are  pinus  and  palmarum,  commonly  appearing 
early  in  April ;  striata  is  rarely  seen  before  May  30 :  the  others 
commonly  arrive  from  May  5th  to  May  12th,  and  stragglers  remain 
till  June.  D.  coronata  is  decidedly  gregarious  in  its  migrations, 
and  is  everywhere  about  equally  abundant  The  others  are  usually 
seen  in  small  parties,  and  keep  pretty  closely  to  the  woods,  except 
D.  cestiva  and  palmarum,  cestiva,  being  never  found  in  the  deep 
woods." 


THE    HOODED   WARBLER. 


'24ri 


MYIODIOCTES,  Aududom. 

Myiodiocta,  Audubon,  Syn.  (1889),  48.  (Type  MotaciUa  milrata.) 
Bill  depressed.  Flycatcher  like;  broader  than  high  at  the  ba!>e;  i;&pe  with  bristles 
nearly  as  long  as  the  bill,  which  is  distinctly  notched  at  tip;  both  outlines  gently 
convex;  tarsi  longer  than  the  head,  considerably  exceeding  the  middle  toe;  claws 
all  considerably  curved ;  tail  decidedly  rounded  or  slightly  graduated;  the  lateral 
Teathers  one-fifth  of  an  inch  shorter;  wing  very  little  longer  than  the  tail;  the  first 
qsill  decidedly  shorter  than  the  fourth;  colors  yellow. 


MTIODIOCTES  mTBAWS.  —  Aiulubm. 

m 

The  Hooded  Warbler. 

MotaciUa  mitrata,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  977. 

Sylvia  mitrata,  Nuttall.    Man  ,  I.  (1832)  373.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  68 

Sylvania  mitrata,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  333. 

Mtucicapa  cucuUala,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  III.  (1811)  101. 

Deschiption. 

Male.  — Bill  black;  feet  pale-yellow;  heod  and  neck  all  round,  ond  fore  part  of 
the  breast,  black;  a  broad  patch  on  the  forehead  extending  round  on  the  entire 
cheeks  and  ear  coverts,  with  tlie  under  parts,  bright-yellow;  upper  parts  and  sides 
of  the  body  olive-green ;  greater  portion  of  inner  web  of  three  outer  tail  feathers 
white. 

Fema/e  similar;  the  crown  like  the  back;  the  forehead  yellowish;  the  sides  of 
the  head  yellow,  tinged  with  olive  un  the  lores  and  ear  coverts. 

Length,  five  inches;  wing,  two  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths ;  tail,  two  and 
fifty-five  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  bird  is  so  extremely  rare  in  Now  England,  that  it 
can  be  regarded  only  as  a  straggler.  It  has  been  known  to 
occur  in  Connecticut,  but  its  regular  habitat  is  more  a 
southern  one.     Audubon  describes  its  habits  **s  follows :  — 

"  The  Hooded  Flycatcher  is  one  of  the  liveliest  of  its  tribe,  and 
is  almost  continually  in  motion.  Fond  of  secluded  places,  it  is 
equally  to  be  met  with  in  the  thick  cane-brakes  of  the  high  or  low 
lands,  or  amid  the  rank  weeds  and  tangled  rushes  of  the  lowest 
and  most  impenetrable  swamps.  You  recognize  it  instantly,  on 
seeing  it ;  for  the  peculiar  graceful  opening  and  closing  of  its  broad 
tail  distinguishes  it  at  once,  as  it  goes  on  gambolling  from  bush  to 
bush,  now  in  sight,  now  hidden  from  your  eye,  but  constantly 


■  H 


within  ^tearing. 


'Vf 


240 


ORNITHOLOUV   AND   OOLOGY. 


'*  The  nest  of  this  species  is  always  placed  low,  aud  is  yeiierallj 
attached  to  the  forks  of  small  twigs.  It  is  iitatly  aii<l  compactly 
formed  of  mosses,  dried  grasses,  and  tibrous  roots,  and  is  carefully 
lined  with  liair,  and,  not  unfrecpiently,  a  few  large  feathers.  The 
cifgs  are  from  four  to  six,  of  a  dull-white,  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown  towards  the  larger  end.  The  male  and  female  sit  by  turns, 
and  show  extreme  anxiety  for  the  safety  of  their  eggs  or  young." 


MYIODIOC.es   PUSILLCS.  —  BunaparU. 
The  Green  Blaok-oap  Flyoatcher ;    Wilson's  Black-cap. 

Afuicicai>a  jnisiUa,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn.,  III.  (1811)  103. 
Sylvaniti  jmillu,  Nuttall.     Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  335. 
Sylvia  Wilsonii,  Nuttull.     Man.,  I.  (1832)  408. 
Muicicapa  WiUonii,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  148. 

Description. 

Forehead,  line  over  and  around  the  eye  and  under  parts  generally  bright-yellow  ; 
upper  part  olive-green ;  a  square  patch  on  the  crown  lustrous-black  ;  sides  of  body 
and  cheeks  tinged  with  olivo;  no  white  on  wings  or  tail.  Female  similar;  the 
black  of  tlie  crown  obscured  by  olive-green. 

Length,  tour  and  scventy-tive  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  twenty- 
five  oue-huudredtlis  ;  tail,  two  and  thirty  one-huiidrodlhs  inches. 

Occurs  ill  sparing  numbers  from  May  12tli  to  27th.  Have 
seen  it  in  apple-orchards,  actively  engaged  in  hunting  in- 
sects, at  wliich  times  it  was  quite  taine,  uttering  its  song  at 
intervals.  It  has  also  been  observed  in  August.  Probably 
breeds  in  Northern  New  England. 

"It  has  all  the  habits  of  a  true  Flycatcher,  feeding  on  small 
insects,  which  it  catciies  entirely  on  the  wing,  snapping  its  bill  with 
a  smart  clicking  sound.  It  frequents  the  borders  of  the  lakes,  and 
such  streams  as  are  fringed  with  low  bushes,  from  which  it  is  seen 
every  moment  sallying  forth,  pursuing  its  insect  prey  for  many 
yards  at  a  time,  and  again  throwing  itself  into  its  favorite  thickets. 

"  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  extremity  of  a  small  horizontal 
branch,  among  the  thick  foliage  of  dwarf  firs,  not  more  than  from 
three  to  five  feet  from  the  ground,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  thickets 
of  these  trees  so  common  m  Labrador.  "  The  materials  of  which  it 
is  composed  are  bits  of  dry  moss  and  delicate  pine  twigs,  aggluti- 
nated together  aud  to  the  branches  or  leaves  around  it,  and  beneath 


^:^ 


THE   CANADA    FLYCATCHER. 


21" 


v/hicli  it  is  suspended,  with  a  lining  of  extremely  fine  and  trans- 
parent fibres.  The  greatest  diameter  does  not  exceed  three  and  » 
half  inches,  and  the  depth  is  not  more  than  one  and  a  half.  Tlie 
eggs  are  four,  dull-white,  sprinkled  with  reddish  and  brown  dots 
towards  the  larger  ead,  where  the  marks  form  a  circle,  leaving 
the  extremity  plain.  The  parents  show  much  uneasiness  at  tlio 
approach  of  any  intruder,  skipping  about  and  around  among  tiie 
twigs- and  iu  the  air,  snapping  their  bill,  and  uttering  a  plaintive 
note.  They  raise  only  one  brood  in  Ae  season.  Tlie  young 
males  show  their  black  cap  as  soon  as  they  are  fully  fiedgod,  and 
before  their  departure  to  the  South." — Auuubon. 


This  bird,  according  to  Audubon,  is  not  very  rare  lu 
Maine,  and  it  becomes  more  abundant  the  farther  north  we 
proceed.  He  found  it  in  Labrador  and  all  the  immediate 
districts ;  it  reaching  that  country  early  iu  June,  and  rc- 
turnuig  southward  by  the  middle  of  August. 

MIIODIOCTES  CANADENSIS.  —  ^lM</«Aon. 

The  Canada  Flycatcher. 

Muscicapa  Canadensis,  Linnoeus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1760)  327.  Wil.  Am.  Orn., 
III.  (1811)  100.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  11.  (18:34)  17. 

Sylvia  pardalina,  Bonaparte.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  372. 

Desciui'tion. 

Upper  parta  bluish-ash;  a  ring  round  the  ej'e,  with  a  line  running  to  the  nos- 
trils, and  the  whole  under  part  (except  the  tail  coverts,  which  are  white),  bright- 
yellow;  centres  of  the  feathers  in  the  anterior  half  of  the  cro^vn,  the  checks,  con- 
tinuous with  a  line  on  the  side  of  the  neck  to  the  breast,  and  a  series  of  spots  across 
the  fore  part  of  the  breast,  black;  tail  feathers  unspotted.  Female  similar,  with  the 
black  of  the  head  and  breast  less  distinct.    In  the  young  obsolete. 

Length,  five  and  thirty-four  one  hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  sixty-seven 
one-hundredths;  tail,  two  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  beautiful  species  is  a  rather  common  spring  and 
autumn  visitor  in  all  New  England,  and,  in  the  northern 
sections  of  these  States,  is  an  inhabitant  through  the  whole 
Gdmmer.  It  sometimes  breeds  in  Massachusetts ;  and  J 
have  no  doubt,  that,  in  a  few  years,  it  will  bo  found  to 
breed  abundantly  in  this  State,  as  it  has  increased  in  num- 


■:  :3 


'■  i 


'& 


99 


248 


OIINITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOCY. 


bei'B  greatly  within  four  or  fivo  years.  It  arrives  Iroiu  tlio 
South  Irom  about  the  10th  tu  tlio  2oth  of  May.  The  birdf 
seem  to  bo  mated  on  their  arrival ;  for  I  have  noticed,  that, 
if  a  male  is  seen,  a  feuialo  is  almost  always  to  be  found  in 
his  immediate  vicinity. 

About  the  first  weeli  in  Juno,  the  nest  is  built.i  This  is 
fixed  in  a  fork  of  a  low  cedar  or  pino  bush,  very  near  the 
ground,  and  is  constructed  of  pino  leaves,  fine  roots  and 
grusbes,  and  a  few  hairs :  it  is  loosely  put  together,  and  is 
lined  with  fine  pieces  of  the  same  materials  and  lichens. 

Tiie  eggs  are  four  in  number.  They  are  small  and 
abruptly  pointed:  they  are  of  a  grayish-white  color,  with  a 
slight  roseate  tint,  and  are  marked  with  spots  and  fine 
blotches  of  lilac  and  browu,  usually  thickest  near  the  larger 
end.  Tiie  only  nest  and  eggs  that  I  have  seen  were  of  this 
description :  tliey  were  found  in  Quincy,  Mass.,  hi  an  old 
pasture,  partly  grown  up  with  bushes. 

Tl  •"  eggs  were  nearly  of  a  uniform  size  and  shape,  and 
n)C;i!''.'«    d  about  .Go  by  .48  hich  in  dimensions. 

'•"(  •  habits  of  this  species  are  so  much  like  those  of  the 
preceding,  that,  if  the  Wilson's  Black-cap  were  more  com- 
mon,  the  two  birds  might  be  easily  confounded.  The  flight 
of  the  present  is  rapid ;  and  all  the  motions  of  the  bird,  when 
it  is  pursuing  insects,  are  those  of  the  true  Flycatchers.  Its 
note  is  a  shrill  iveechj,  wicchi/,  which  is  uttered  at  short 
intervals  by  the  bird,  both  while  on  the  wing  and  when 
perching.  About  the  first  week  in  September,  it  begins  to 
grow  abundant;  and,  by  the  loth  of  that  month,  it  has 
df'i)artcd  on  its  southern  migration. 

SETOPHAGA,  Swainso.v. 

Selflpharja,  Swainson,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (Ucc,  1827)  3G0.  (T^-pe  Mutcicapa  ruti- 
dHa,  LinniEus.) 

Bill  depressed,  broader  than  high;  rictus  with  loiig  bri.stlos;  wings  rounded, 
equal  tn  or  shorter  than  the  tail;  first  quill  shorter  t'.ian  the  fourth;  tail  long,  some- 
what graduated,  the  outer  feathers  about  twenty  one-hundredtlis  of  an  inch  or  mora 
shorter;  all  the  feathers  unusually  broad,  and  widened  at  the  end;  feet  short;  tavsuj 

1  See  Appendix. 


THK   BED   START. 


249 


(hortcr  tlian  the  head ;  hind  toe  ci|iial  to  the  lateral ;  coloration  enibracing  niorv  or 
le«ii  of  red  in  nortlicrn  xpecivs. 

This  genus  dill'ers  I'rum  Mijiudkcttt  chiefly  in  the  longer,  broader  tail,  and  ruther 
shorter  tarsi  and  toes,  thu  hinder  cspecJully;  the  liill  is  more  luuseicapine;  the 
culinen  nearly  straiglit  to  the  abruptly  decurvud  and  much  notched  tip;  the  gonys 
straight;  in  Myiudwctes  the  verticiil  outlines  are  more  convex;  the  gunys  mote 
ascending;  the  tip  gently  and  but  slightly  decurved. 


SETOPHAQA  RUTICILLA.  —  Summon. 

The  Red  Start 

Mutdcapa  mticilla,  Linnxua.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  826.    Wil.  Am.  Om.,  I. 
(1808)  103.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  202;  V.  (1839)428. 
Sylvania  iiUiciUa,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  ( 1832)  201. 

Desckiption. 

Male.  —  Prevailing  color  black ;  a  central  line  on  tlie  breast,  the  abdomen,  and 
under  tail  coverts,  white;  some  leathers  in  the  latter  strongly  tinged  with  dark- 
brown  ;  bases  of  all  the  quills,  except  the  inner  and  outer,  and  bn.iul  half  of  all 
the  tail  feathers,  except  the  middle  one,  a  patch  on  each  side  of  the  breast,  and  the 
axillary  region  orange-red,  of  a  vermilion  shade  on  the  breast.  Fcniiile  with  the 
black  replaced  by  olive-green  above,  by  brownish-white  beneath ;  the  head  tinged 
with  ash;  a  grayish-white  lore  and  ring  round  the  eye;  the  red  of  the  male 
replaced  by  yellow. 

Length,  five  and  twent^'-flve  one-hundredtbs  inches;  wing,  two  and  titty  one- 
bundredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  forty-five  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  quite  common  species  is  a  summer  resident,  ami 
breeds  in  all  the  New-England  States.  It  arrives  from  the 
South  from  about  the  first  to  the  middle  of  May,  accord- 
ing to  latitude,  and  commences 
building  about  the  first  week 
in  Juno.  The  nest  is  usually 
placed  on  a  low  limb  of  a 
small  tree,  often  in  a  hori- 
zontal fork,  seldom  more  than 
ten  feet  from  the  ground.  It 
is  constructed  of  strips  of 
cedar  bark,  grape-vine  bark, 
grasses,  and  fine  weeds :  these 
materials  are  adjusted  neatly,  and  agglutinated  by  the  bird's 
saliva  into  a  compact  structure,  to  the  exterior  of  which 
*  arc  attached,  or  plastered  on  by  the  bird's  saliva,  fragments 


;  '1 


2o0 


OBNITIIOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


of  suft  liclions,  catorpilliirs'  silk,  and  down  from  tlio  fonis 
It  is  due|tly  Iiollowed,  and  lined  with  thin  strips  of  grapo-vino 
l)ark  and  cottony  substances,  and  somotinics  a  few  hairs  or 
(ihroiis  roots.  NuttiiU,  in  destiibing  the  nest,  says  "  the 
lining  is  neither  soft  nor  downy;"  hut  Wilson  and  Audubon 
l)oth  assert  to  the  contrary.  I  have  examined  a  groat  num- 
ber of  the  nests,  and  Imvo  found  them  to  agree  with  tlio 
foregoing  description.  The  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number. 
Their  color  is  a  beautiful  creamy-white,  which  is  covered, 
more  or  less  thickly,  with  spots  of  reddish-brown  and  lilac. 
Average  dimensions  of  eggs,  about  .03  by  .50  inch. 

Perhaps  the  best  description  I  can  give  of  tho  habits  of 
this  bird  is  to  say  that  they  are  a  combination  of  those 
of  tho  Flycatchers  and  Warblers ;  for,  like  tho  former,  it 
pursues  Hying  insects  in  the  air,  and  seizes  them  with  a 
loud  snapping  of  the  bill,  und,  like  the  latter,  gleans  indus- 
triously for  them  among  the  foliage  and  branches  of  trees. 
Tho  note  of  the  Red  Start  is  a  shrill  cheweea,  which  If 
uttered  at  intervals  of  perhaps  a  half  or  whole  minute. 

I  have  not  noticed  that  it  prefers  any  particular  locality ; 
but  it  seems  to  frequent  the  woods,  pastures,  and  orchards 
in  equal  abundance :  and  I  have  known  of  a  pair  building, 
and  rearing  a  brood,  in  a  garden,  within  five  rods  of  a  house. 

About  the  loth  of  September,  the  Red  Start  leaves  for 
the  South ;  and,  after  the  •20th  of  that  month,  none  are  to 
be  seen  in  New  England. 


Sub-Family  TANAGRiNiE. — The  Tanagers. 
PYRANGA,  ViKiLLOT. 

Pyranga,  Vieillot,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  I.  (1807)  IV.  lb.,  Analyse  (1816),  32. 
Sclater,  Pr.  Zool.  Soc.  (1856),  123. 

Bill  somewhat  straight;  sub-conical,  cylindrical,  notched  at  tip;  culnien  moder- 
ately curved;  commissure  with  a  median  acute  lobe;  wings  elongated;  the  four  first 
P'imaries  about  equal;  tail  moderate,  slightly  forked.  Colors  of  the  male  chiefly 
scarlet,  of  the  female  yellowish. 


the:  scarlet  tanaoer. 


2;")! 


PYBANOA  SDBRA.  -  ritiUot. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager. 

Tanagra  rubra.  Linn.,  I.  (17U6)  3U.  Wil.  Am.  Orn.,  IL  (1^10)  43.  Ami.  (»rii. 
Illog.,  IV.  (1838)388. 

DKMCKU'noN. 

Uill  shorter  than  the  huud;  aecond  quill  lunKest;  flr^^t  and  thiid  a  little-  nhotturi 
luil  niudurutely  I'oilii'd;  geiiuriil  color  ul'iiiulu  bri){ht-carniine ;  win|{K  Hiid  tail  velvet- 
lilack,  the  (juIIIh  iiituriially  I'd^ud  with  whilu  towards  thu  base.  FeuiaU)  ulivp-Krcvn 
aliove,  yvllrwish  bciiuuth;  uiii|{  and  tail  d'athurg  brown,  edged  with  ulivucidiiH. 

The  yuuiig  m.iles  are  colored  like  the  lemales,  but  generally  exhibit  iiiort;  or  Iuhh 
of  red  feathers  among  the  groeniah  unuK.  .Soniutiiiies  the  full  plumage  i.t  varied  by 
a  few  yollow  fcathorg  or  by  olivarcous  edges  to  the  wingo;  not  iiiilVeiiuently  there 
is  u  partly  concealed  bar  of  red  or  yellow  on  the  wing,  across  the  median  coverts. 
Young  m:de.s  are  sometimes  seen  with  the  body  like  the  female,  the  wings  and  tail 
like  the  male. 

Length,  seven  and  forty  one-hundredths  inchei;  wing,  four  inches;  tail,  three 
inches. 


This  gaudy  siimnior  visitor  breeds  in  all  the  Now-Eiigliind 
States ;  less  plentifully,  however,  in  the  northern  than  in  the 
southern  districts.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  fif- 
teenth of  May,  and  conimencos  building  about  the  last  of 
that  month.  The  favorite  localities  of  this  bird  seem  to  bo 
oak-groves,  situated  near  swamps :  here  I  have  often  heard 
several  males  singing  at  the  same  time,  and  have  watched 
them  in  their  active  movements  in  their  pursuit  of  insects, 
of  Avhich  this  species  destroys  great  numbers.  The  nest  is 
placed  on  a  horizontal  lin)i>  of  a  tree,  usually  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  in  the  deep  woods.  It  is 
constructed  of  slender  twigs  of  the  oak,  huckleberry  or 
whortleberry  bush,  and  weeds:  these  are  loosely  put  to- 
gether ;  so  much  so,  that,  were  it  not  for  the  interlacing  of 
tlie  small  joints  of  the  twigs,  it  would  soon  fall  apart.  It  is 
not  deeply  hollowed,  and  is  lined  with  thread-like  fibrous 
roots  and  the  leaves  of  the  various  pines.  The  whole 
structure  is  so  thinly  made  as  almost  to  fall  to  pieces  on 
removal  from  the  tree.  The  eggs  are  usually  four  in  num- 
ber, sometimes  three,  seldom  five.  They  are  of  a  dull  light 
greenish-blue  color,  of  different  shades,  and  spattered  with 


n 

■■1 


:4 


S! 


2o2 


OKNlTHoLUltY    AND   OOLOOY. 


purpliBli-browii,  iik  hoiuo  hpociuiuiiH  quito  thickly,  in  others 
loH8  80.  Tliu  ground-color  is  tho  most  prominent;  tho  murk- 
iiigH  uovor  cumplctoly  hiding  it,  or  BuduiiMitly  confluent  tu 


be  called  blotches.  A  nest  complement  of  four  eggs,  in  a 
nest  collected  in  Milton,  Mass.,  exhibit  the  following  meas- 
urements: .97  by  M  inch,  .93  by  .65  inch,  .90  by  .62  inch, 
.88  by  .64  inch.  Other  specimens  show  no  great  variations 
from  these  dimensions. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager  thrives  well  in  confinement,  and 
makes  a  beautiful  and  interesting  pet.  I  once  kept  one 
caged  for  over  six  months.  He  eat  seeds  and  small  fruits, 
and,  within  a  \yeek  after  his  capture,  chanted  his  warbling 
fiong  with  perfect  freedom.  He  had,  and  I  have  also  noted 
that  all  of  this  species  have,  a  sort  of  ventriloquism  in  his 
soug:  it  at  times  sounded  as  if  at  quite  a  distance;  and  I 
have  been  deceived  in  this  manner,  by  birds  that  were  almost 
over  my  head,  into  supposuig  that  they  were  far  away. 


TIIK   SCAULKT   TANAOKll. 


2.')^ 


Tlio  Houff  Ih  aliUUHt  oxiirtly  liko  that  of  tin'  Uoliiii,  bat  in 
nftt^ii  Itnikon  with  a  puimivu  ciiU-noto,  Hoiiiidiii)^  liko  thu 
gylhibloH  chip  chirr. 

Early  in  September,  the  TuiiagcrH  leave  for  their  Southern 
Iioiuoh;  from  which  they  socm,  while  here,  iiardly  more  than 
wanderers,  so  commonly  do  wo  nssociato  goudy  plumagOH 
with  tropical  climes.  Thoy  winter,  probably,  in  Central 
America  and  the  Bahamas. 


■^ 


\ 


'^ 


c;' 


254 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  HIRUNDINID^.     The  Swallows. 

Sub-Family  Hirundinin^. 

Hi"l  triangular,  very  short  and  broad,  much  dcpressr  J ;  the  ridge  much  icss  than 
helf  the  head;  the  gonys  two-thirds  this  length;  the  gape  extending  to  below  the 
eye;  primaries  nine;  the  first  longest,  and,  with  the  second,  considerably  longer 
than  the  others;  the  secondaries  and  tertials  not  reaching  the  middle  of  the  prima- 
ries; the  secondaiies  deeply  emarginate;  wings  vciy  long,  '•caching  beyond  the 
tonimcncenient  of  the  fork  of  the  tail,  which  is  generally  more  or  less  deep;  tarsi 
pcutellate,  very  short,  less  than  the  lateral  toes,  tiie  ini.  "»•  of  which  is  more  deeply 
cleft  than  thb  outer. 

IIIRUKDO,  LiN.N^us. 

Hirundn,  Linn.kus,  Syst.  Nat.  (173E).    Gray,  Genera,  I.  (1845). 

Nostrils  basal,  small,  oblong,  and  covered  pa,  ly  by  a  membrane ;  tail  more  or 
less  forked;  the  outer  lateral  feather  sometimes  greatly  lengtheied;  tarsi  shorter 
than  the  middle  toe,  and  scutellated ;  tarsi  naked ;  toes  long,  slender,  the  lateral  ones 
unequal;  claws  moderate,  curved,  mute. 

HIEUNJjO  HOBEEOKUM.  — 5artofl. 

The  Barn  Swrllow. 

nirundo  horreorum,  Barton.    Fragments  N.  H.  Penna.  (1799)  17. 
Eirundo  Americana,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  V.  (1612)  34. 
Eirundo  rustica,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  413. 

Description. 

Tail  very  deeply  forked ;  outer  feathers  several  inches  longer  than  the  inner,  verj 
narrow  toward  a  the  end;  above  glossy-blue,  with  conceale')  white  in  the  middle  of 
the  back;  tliroat  chestnut;  res*  of  lower  part  reddish-white,  not  conspicuously  dif- 
ferent; a  steel-blue  collar  on  the  upper  part  of  tlic  breast,  interrupted  in  the  middle; 
tail  feathers  with  a  white  spot  near  the  middle,  on  the  inner  web.  Female  with  the 
outer  tail  feather  not  quite  so  long. 

Length,  six  and  ninety  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  five  inches;  tail,  four  and 
fifty  one  hundredths  inches. 


rilHIS  beautiful  and  well-known  bird  arrives  in  New 
-I-.  England  from  about  the  10th  of  April  to  the  25th  of 
that  month,  according  to  latitude :  it  is  quickly  dispensed  in 
great  numbers  tlirough  these  States,  and  soon  commences 
mating.     Its  habits  arc  so  well  known  that  any  description 


THE   BARN   SWALLOW. 


255 


This  nest  is  built  out 


iiere  is  hardly  needed.  About  the  10th  of  May,  after  the 
birds  have  paired,  they  commence  building;  or  sometimes 
the  same  couple  begin  repairing  the  nest  of  the  preceding 
year  or  years,  as  the  same  nest 
is  occupied  several  seasons.  It  is 
built  in  tlie  cavos  of  houses  or 
barns,  or  on  rafters  of  barns  and 
other  buildings.  It  is  constructed 
outwardly  of  a  strong  shell  of 
pellets  of  mud,  which  are  plas- 
tered together,  and,  as  NuttalL 
says,  "tempered  with  fine  hay, 
and  rendered  more  adliesive  by 
the  glutinous  saliva  of  tlie  bird." 
and  up  until  the  top  is  about  horizontal,  and  then  lined  with 
a  layer  of  fine  grass  or  hay,  which  is  covered  with  loose 
feathers.  This  bird  is  fond  of  society,  often  as  many  as 
twenty  nests  being  in  the  same  eaves.  Tlic  eggs  are 
usually  four  in  number,  sometimes  five :  they  are  of  a 
nearly  pure-white  color,  with  a  slight  roseate  tint ;  and  are 
spotted  more  or  less  thickly  with  fine  dots  of  two  shades  of 
brown,  reddish,  and  purplish.  The  dimensions  of  four  eggs, 
collected  in  Upton,  Me.,  are  .76  by  .56  inch,  .70  by  .52 
inch,  .76  by  .52  inch,  .69  by  .53  inch.  The  largest  speci- 
men, in  a  great  number,  is  .78  by  .57  inch ;  the  smallest, 
.67  by  .50  inch.  Two  broods,  and  sometimes  thi-ee,  are 
reared  in  the  season.  The  period  of  incubation  is  thirteen 
days. 

About  the  first  week  in  September,  the  old  and  young 
birds  of  different  families  gather  in  immense  flocks ;  and, 
after  remaining  about  the  marshes  near  the  seacoast  for  a 
few  days,  they  leave  for  their  winter  homes. 


"  19 
•I  »"J 


,1  ii 


266 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


HIEDNDO  LUNIFRONS.  — Sni/. 

The  Cliff  Swallow ;  Eave  Swallow. 

Tlirunih  lunifrons,  Say.    Long's  Exped.  R.  Mts.,  II.  (1823)  47. 
Tlinmdo  rerpubllcnna,  Audubon.    Ann.  N.Y.  Lye,  I.  (1824)  104. 
Jlinmrlo  fiilm,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  353. 
Hifundo  meliinnr/nster,  Swainson.     Philos.  Mng.,  I.  (1827)  366. 
Petroclididon  mdanogastra,  Cabania.    Mus.  Hein.,  47. 

Description. 

Cro^vn  and  back  steel-blue;  tlie  upper  part  of  the  latter  with  conrcalod  pale 
edges  to  the  feathers;  chin,  throat,  and  sides  of  the  head  dark-chestnut;  breast 
fuscous;  belly  white;  a  steel-blue  spot  on  throat;  rump  light-chestnut;  forehead 
browi;ish-white;  a  pale  nuchal  band;  tail  slightly  cmarginate. 

Length,  about  five  inches;  -w'  j,  four  and  forty  one-hundredths;  tail,  two  and 
twenty  cne-hundredths. 

Hab.  — North  America  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific. 


The  Cliff  Swallow  is  very  generally  distributed  as  a  sum- 
mer inhabitant  of  New  England.  It  arrives  from  the  South 
from  about  the  25th  of  April  to  the  1st  of  May.  It  has  all 
the  habits  and  characteristics  of  the  preceding  species,  and 
is  probably  as  well  known  throughout  New  England  as  that 
bird.  About  the  10th  of  May  (sometimes  earlier,  sometimes 
later,  according  to  latitude),  it  pairs,  and  commences  build- 
ing. The  nest  is  usually  fixed  beneath  eaves  or  cornices, 
or  other  jutting  portions  of  buildings,  or  on  cliffs,  beneath 
overhanging  portions  of  rock :  it  is  constructed  externally 
of  pellets  of  mud  and  earth,  which  are  gradually  plastered 
together  into  a  large  gourd-shaped  structure ;  the  larger  part 
attached  to  the  building  or  cliff,  and  the  neck  curving  out- 
ward and  downward.  At  the  part  of  the  nest  resembling 
the  neck  of  the  gourd  is  the  entrance.  The  whole  fabric  is 
much  more  brittle  than  the  nest  of  the  Barn  Swallow,  for  the 
reason  that  no  grass  or  hay  is  worked  into  the  mud  to  give 
it  strength.  A  lining  of  fine  grass  and  feathers  is  fixed  in 
this,  and  the  whole  makes  a  very  neat  and  comfortable 
structure.  The  eggs  are  usually  five  in  number.  They 
can  hardly  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  preceding 


THE   WHITE-BELLIKD    SWALLOW. 


257 


species ;  and,  in  fact,  identification  is  next  to  impossible. 
In  a  majority  of  the  present  species,  the  spots  are  somewhat 
coarser,  and  the  eggs  are  generally  longer.  Fonr  eggs, 
collected  in  Dorcliester,  Mass.,  are  of  the  average  dimen- 
sions of  .84  by  .64  incli ;  other  specimens,  from  variou.s 
localities,  are  about  this  size. 

Like  the  Barn  Swallow,  this  species  gathers  into  largo 
flocks  at  the  end  of  the  summer,  and  freqiicnts  the  same 
localities,  but  not  at  the  same  time ;  as  it  leaves  usually  a 
week  or  ten  days  before  the  other  bird. 


491. 


HIBUMDO  BICOLOB.  — nei7/u(. 
The  White-bellied  Swallow;  Blue-backed  Swallow. 
nirundo  Wco/or,  Vieillot.    Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  I.  (1807)  81.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.  (1881), 

Description. 

GloBsy  metallic-green  above;  entirely  white  beneath.  Female  much  duller  in 
color. 

Length,  six  and  twenty-five  onc-hundredths  inche.s;  wing,  five  inches;  tail,  two 
and  sixty-live  one-hundrcdths  inches. 

This  very  common  and  well-known  species  is  a  summer 
inhabitant  of  all  New  England;  being  most  abundant  in 
localities  near  sheets  of  water,  and  less  common  in  higli, 
dry  districts.  Its  habits  are  well  known ;  and  arriving,  as 
it  docs,  early  in  the  season,  and  fraternizing  with  man,  it  is 
a  great  favorite.  It  makes  its  appearance  as  early  as  the 
first  week  in  April,  but  docs  not  commence  building  before 
the  middle  of  May.  Near  cities  and  towns,  the  nest  is 
built  in  martin-boxes  provided  for  its  reception:  but,  in 
less  thickly  settled  districts,  it  is  built  in  holes  in  stumps 
and  trees ;  and  cases  are  on  record  of  its  being  built  in  a 
deserted  nest  of  the  common  Barn  Swallow.  When  passing 
through  the  chain  of  the  Umbagog  lakes,  in  Maine,  I 
observed  great  numbers  of  these  birds  whose  nests  were 
built  in  holes  in  dead  trees  standing  in  the  lake  near  the 
shores.     These  nests  were  so  plenty,  that,  in  the  area  of 

17 


258 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


about  ten  rods  square,  I  counted  over  fifty.  Of  course,  the 
birds  were  in  myriads,  and  the  species  constitutes  the  com- 
mon Swallow  of  the  districts  in  that  latitude.  The  materials 
used  in  the  construction  of  the  nest  are  fine  grasses,  hay, 
and  feathers :  these  are  adjusted  loosely  in  the  cavity  of  the 
tree,  and  without  any  form.  The  eggs  are,  most  commonly, 
five  in  number.  Their  color  is  a  beautiful  clear-white,  with 
a  roseate  tint  before  their  contents  are  removed :  they  are 
extremely  thin  and  fragile,  much  more  so  than  most  of  the 
other  species ;  and  their  form  is  a  slender  oval.  Of  a  great 
number  of  specimens,  collected  in  various  localities,  the 
largest  is  .79  by  .56  inch ;  the  smallest,  .69  by  .51  inch. 
Two  broods  are  generally  reared  in  the  season,  and  the 
period  of  incubation  is  fourteen  days. 

This  species  leaves  New  England  in  the  fall  migration 
about  the  10th  of  September. 


COTYLP,  BoiB. 

Ootyle,  BoiE,  Isis  (1822),  550.    (Type  H.  riparia.) 

Bill  vei^'  flat,  extremely  broad  at  the  base,  and  gradually  narrowed  towards 
the  tip;  nostrila  prominent  and  rounded;  tail  moderate,  nearly  straight,  or  some- 
what emarginated;  tarsi  rather  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  slender  and  scutellated; 
toes  very  slender,  the  claws  slightly  curved ;  colors  generally  dull  brown  above, 
without  gloss. 

COTTLE  SIPABIA.  — £oie. 

The  &ank  Swallow. 


Hirundo  riparia,  Linnaeus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  844. 
Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  584. 

Cotyk  riparia,  Boie.    Isis  (1822),  550. 


Wils.  Am.  Om.,  V.  46. 


Description. 

The  smallest  of  American  swallows;  tail  slightly  emarginate;  outer  web  of  first 
primary  soft,  without  hooks;  lower  part  of  the  tarsus  with  a  few  scattered  feathers; 
above  grayish-brown,  somewhat  fuliginous,  with  a  tendency  to  paler  margins  to  tha 
feathers ;  beneath  pure-white,  with  a  band  across  the  breast  and  sides  of  the  bodf 
like  the  back. 

Length,  four  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  four;  tail  two 
inches. 


THE   BANK   SWALLOW. 


201) 


Unlike  all  our  other  swallows,  this  species  avoids  the 
iieigliborhood  of  man  in  selecting  its  breeding-place  ;  and  it 
is  abundant  only  in  the  neighborhood  of  streams  or  other 
sliccts  of  water.  It  is  distributed,  as  a  summer  resident, 
ill  all  the  New-England  States,  and  in  many  localities  is 
very  abundant.  It  arrives  the  first  week  in  May,  often 
earlier ;  and  soon  pairs,  and  commences  building,  or  rather 
excavating,  for  the  nest.  The  excavations  are  made  in 
sand-banks,  in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  the  Kingfisher, 
and  are  often  three  or  four  feet  in  depth,  usually  about 
eighteen  inches.  At  the  end  of  this  burrow,  which  is 
widened  and  enlarged,  is  placed  the  nest,  composed  of 
dried  grasses,  hay,  feathers,  and  other  like  soft  materials. 
The  birds  are  sociable  iu  their  habits,  as  are  all  the  other 
species  ;  and  often  as  many  as  twenty  and  thirty  holes 
may  be  seen  in  the  same  bank.  The  number  of  eggs  is 
either  five  or  four.  These  are  of  a  pure-white  color,  and 
vary  but  little  in  size  or  shape;  the  latter  being  almost 
always  ovai,  and  the  size  ranging  from  .72  by  .52  inch  to 
.68  by  .49  inch.  Usually  two  broods  are  reared  in  the 
season,  but  often  only  one. 

In  habits,  this  bird  resembles  the  other  swallows,  but  is 
not  so  quarrelsome  as  they,  and  I  never  noticed  two  of  this 
species  fighting:  its  note  is  not,  like  theirs,  shrill  and  oft 
repeated,  but  is  only  a  seldom-uttered  lisping  chatter.  It 
leaves  New  England  by  the  last  week  in  August. 


I  '-J 
C3 


PROGNE,  BoiB. 


Progne,  BiOB,  Tsis  (1826),  971.  (Type  Hirundo  purpurea,  L.) 
Bill,  strong,  short;  the  gape  very  wide;  the  sides  gradually  compressed,  the 
culmen  and  lateral  margins  arched  to  the  tip,  the  latter  inflected;  the  nostrils 
basal,  lateral,  open,  and  rounded ;  tail  considerably  forked ;  tarsi  shorter  than  the 
middle  toe  and  clav,  about  equal  to  the  toe  alone;  toes  long,  strong;  lateral  ones 
equal. 

The  large  size,  very  stout  bill  and  feet  (for  this  family),  with  the  usually  uni- 
form  black  glossy  plumage,  readily  distinguish  this  genus  among  the  swallows 
Bnt  one  species  is  well  established  as  North  American. 


2G0 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


PHOONE  PUHPUREA.  —  floie. 

The  Purple  Martin. 

fT!ruruh  purpurea,  Linnnjus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1768)1)44.  Aud.  Om.  Bioff.,  I 
(1831)115. 

Progne pur/mria,  Boiu.     Isis  (1826),  071. 

DESCKII'IID.V. 

Lnrgc.it  of  North-Americnn  Swallows;  closed  wings  rather  longer  than  tho 
deeply  furkcd  tail;  t.irsi  and  tuts  naked;  color,  in  the  old  male,  everywhere  glossy 
•teel-bluc,  with  purple  and  violet  reflections.  Female  and  immature  male  le.<s 
brilliant  above,  pale-bro^vnish  beneath,  blotched  with  darker  or  with  bluish. 

Length,  seven  and  thirty  one-hundrcdths  inches;  w  ng,  five  and  eighty-five 
one  hundredths;  tail,  tliree  and  forty  one-hundrcdths  incnes. 

The  Purple  Martin  is  the  least  abundant  of  all  our 
Swallows,  and,  indeed,  in  some  localities  is  quite  rare. 
It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  first  week  in  May, 
and  is  distributed  in  single  pairs  through  all  New  Eng- 
land. 

The  description,  by  Wilson,  of  the  habits  of  the  bird,  is 
so  well  written  that  1  present  quite  a  liberal  extract  from  it. 
He  says, — 

• 

"  The  summer  residence  of  this  agreeable  bird  is  universally 
among  the  habitations  of  man.  who,  having  no  interest  in  his 
destruction,  and  deriving  considerable  advantage  as  well  as  amuse- 
ment from  his  company,  is  generally  his  friend  and  protector. 
Wlierever  he  comes,  he  finds  some  hospitable  retreat  fitted  up  for 
his  accommodation  and  that  of  his  young,  either  in  the  projecting 
wooden  cornice,  on  the  top  of  the  roof  or  sign-post,  in  the  box 
appropriated  to  the  Blue-bird,  or,  if  all  these  be  wanting,  in  the 
dove-house  among  the  pigeons.  In  this  last  case,  he  sometimes 
takes  possession  of  one  quarter  or  tier  of  the  premises,  in  which 
not  a  pigeon  dare  for  a  moment  set  its  foot.  Some  people  have 
large  conveniences  formed  for  the  Martins,  with  many  apartments, 
which  are  usually  full  tenanted,  and  occupied  regularly  everv 
spring;  and,  in  such  places,  particular  individu.^"  have  been  noted 
to  return  to  the  same  box  for  several  successive  years.  Even  the 
solitary  Indian  seems  to  have  a  particular  respect  for  this  bird. 


THE  PUUI'LE   MAUTIN, 


261 


The  Choctaws  and  Cbickasaws  cut  ufT  all  the  top  branches  fruni  a 
sapling  near  their  cabins,  leaving  the  prongs  a  foot  or  two  in 
length,  on  each  of  which  they  hang  a  gourd  or  calabash,  properly 
hollowed  out,  for  their  convenience.  On  the  banks  of  the  Missis 
sippi,  the  negroes  stick  up  long  canes,  with  the  same  species  of 
apartment  fixed  to  their  tops,  in  which  the  Martins  regularly 
breed.  Wherever  I  have  travelled  in  this  country,  I  have 
Been  with  pleasure  the  hospitality  of  the  inhabitants  to  this  favor- 
ite bird. 

"  About  the  middle  or  20th  of  April,  the  Martins  first  I  3gin  to 
prepare  their  nest.  The  last  of  these  which  I  exa-^.tned  was 
formed  of  dry  leaves  of  the  weeping  willow,  slender  straws,  hay, 
and  feathers  in  considerable  quantity.  The  eggs  were  four,  very 
small  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  and  pure-white,  without  any  spots. 
The  first  brood  appears  in  May,  the  second  late  in  July.  During 
the  period  in  which  the  female  is  laying,  and  before  she  commences 
incubation,  they  are  both  from  home  the  greater  part  of  the  day. 
When  the  female  is  sitting,  she  is  frequently  vj-ited  by  the  male, 
who  also  occupies  her  place  while  she  takes  a  short  recreation 
abroad.  He  also  often  passes  a  quarter  of  an  hour  in  the  apart- 
ment beside  her,  and  has  become  quite  domesticated  since  her  con- 
finement. He  sits  ou  the  outside,  dressing  and  arranging  his 
plumage,  occasionally  passing  to  the  door  of  the  apartment,  as  if 
to  inquire  how  she  does.  His  notes,  at  this  time,  seem  to  have 
assumed  a  peculiar  softness ;  and  his  gratulations  are  expressive  of 
much  tenderness.  Conjugal  fidelity,  even  where  there  is  a  num- 
ber together,  seems  to  be  faithfully  preserved  by  these  birds.  On 
the  25th  of  May,  a  male  and  female  Mirtin  took  possession  of  a 
box  in  Mr.  Bartram's  garden.  A  day  or  two  after,  a  second 
female  made  her  appearance,  and  stayed  for  several  days ;  bu*  r^om 
the  cold  reception  she  met  with,  being  frequently  beat  off  by  the 
male,  she  finally  abandoned  the  place,  and  set  off,  no  doubt,  to  seek 
for  a  more  sociable  companion. 

"  The  Purple  Martin,  like  his  half-cousin  the  King-bird,  is  the 
terror  of  crows,  hawks,  and  eagles.  These  he  attacks  whenever 
they  make  their  appearance,  and  with  such  vigor  and  rapidity  that 
tliey  instantly  have  recourse  to  flight.  So  well  known  is  this  to 
the  lesser  birds,  and  to  the  domestic  poultry,  that,  a?  soon  as  tliey 


■    ■  H 

;i3 


'^ 


262 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


hear  the  Martin's  voice  engaged  in  fight,  all  is  alarm  and  conster- 
nation. To  observe  with  what  spirit  and  audacity  this  bird  dives 
and  sweeps  upon  and  around  the  Hawk  or  the  Eagle  is  astonish- 
ing. He  also  bestows  an  occasional  bastinading  on  the  King-bird 
when  he  finds  him  too  near  his  premises ;  though  he  will,  at  any 
time,  instantly  co-operate  with  him  in  attacking  the  common 
enemy. 

"  The  Martin  differs  from  all  the  rest  of  our  Swallows  iu  the 
particular  prey  which  he  selects.  Wasps,  bees,  large  beetles,  par- 
ticularly those  called  by  the  boys  goldsmiths,  seem  his  favorite 
game.  I  have  taken  four  of  these  large  beetles  from  the  stomach 
of  a  Purple  Martin,  each  of  which  seemed  entire,  and  even 
unbruised. 

"  The  flight  of  the  Purple  Martin  unites  in  it  all  the  swiftness, 
ease,  rapidity  of  turning,  and  gracefulness  of  motion  of  its  tribe. 
Like  the  Swift  of  Europe,  he  sails  much  with  little  action  of  the 
wings.  He  passes  through  the  most  crowded  parts  of  our  streets, 
eluding  the  passengers  with  the  quickness  of  tliought ;  or  plays 
among  the  clouds,  gliding  about  at  a  vast  height,  like  an  aerial 
being.  His  usual  note,  peuo,  peuo,  peuo,  is  loud  and  musical; 
but  is  frequently  succeeded  by  others  more  low  and  guttural. 
Soon  after  the  20th  of  August,  he  leaves  Pennsylvania  for  the 
South." 

Ill  New  England,  this  species  begins  to  prepare  its  nest 
about  the  20th  of  May :  this  is  composed  of  dried  grasses, 
leaves,  and  feathers,  and  is  deposited  usually  in  a  box  pre- 
pared for  this  purpose.  The  eggs  are  from  four  to  six  iu 
number,  of  a  pure-white  color,  and  vary  but  little  in  form 
from  exactly  oval.  Four  specimens,  collected  in  Connecti- 
cut, exhibit  the  following  measurements :  1.04  by  .70  inch, 
1  by  .70  inch,  1  by  .68  inch,  .97  by  .68  inch.  Other  speci- 
mens vary  but  little  from  these  dimensions.  Two  broods 
are  often  reared  in  the  season,  and  the  period  of  incubation 
is  fourteen  days. 

In  dismissing  this  family,  it  is  hardly  necessary,  at  this 
late  day,  to  say  a  word  in  favor  of  their  beneficial  habits ; 


THE   PURPLE   MARTIN. 


•2t]:'. 


for  every  farmer  has  recognized  them,  and  encouraged 
the  presence  of  the  birds,  and  protected  them  for  years ; 
but  the  immense  amount  of  injurious  and  noxious  insects 
they  destroy  is  astonishing,  and  hardly  realized ;  amount- 
ing probably  to  several  hundreds  by  every  bird  in  tluj 
day. 


•5  ^ 


#%  ■ 


204 


OltNITIIOLOOV    AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  BOMnYCILLIDil':.     Tiik  Ciiattkbeks. 

rrimnrie?  ten,  the  first  very  slmrt  or  muderatG,  ulways  1cm  than  half  the  necond; 
Mil  short,  broad,  triangular,  much  (IcprcsKcil ;  gupo  opening  nearly  to  the  eyes, 
twice  the  length  of  the  culnien;  both  ninniliblcs  notched,  the  upper  with  a  tooth 
behind  llio  notch;  tariii  scutulluto  anteriorly,  with  indications  uIaooC  scales  interiorly 
■ju  the  sides  (except  in  Mi/inilestest),  shorter  than  tiie  middle  toe;  outer  lateral  to« 
bnifest;  toes  unequally  dell ;  head  generally  crested. 


Sub-Fdiuilji  HoMHYCiM-iNiK. — The  Wax  Wings. 

AMPELIS,  LiNN^us. 

Am/ieli$,  LiNN.Kua,  Syst.  Nat.  (1735).    (Type  A.  garrutiu.) 

Head  with  a  broad,  depressed  crest;  bill  verj'  broad,  opening  nearly  to  the  eye; 
a  series  of  short,  velvety  feathers  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  with  bristles  directed  for- 
wards and  covering  the  nostrils,  but  none  along  the  rictus;  commissure  straight ; 
lulmcn  and  gonys  curved,  convex;  both  mandibles  notched  at  tip;  legs  htnut;  tarsi 
shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  scutellate  anteriorly,  and  slightly  on  the  lowir  half  on 
the  sides  behind,  sliglitly  feathered  above;  hind  too  shorter  than  the  lateral,  which 
ore  equal;  wings  very  long,  pointed,  reaching  almost  to  the  tip  of  the  nearly  even 
tail;  first  primary  so  short  as  to  be  with  difficulty  discernible,  the  second  quill 
longest;  tips  of  secondary  quills  with  horny  appendages,  like  sealing-wax. 


AMPELIS   OABSULUS.  — Linrunw. 

The  Waz-wing ;  Bohemian  Chatterer. 

"  Laniiu  gan'ulus,  Linnaius.    Fauna  Suecica,  II.  No.  82." 
AmpeVis  i/arrulus,  Linnoius.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1760)  297. 
Bombydlla  gan-ula.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  462. 

Deschiition. 

Highly  crested;  general  color  brownish-ash,  with  a  faint  shade  of  reddish, 
especially  onteriorly ;  the  forehead,  sides  of  the  head,  and  under  tail  coverts,  brown- 
ish-orange; the  hinder  ports  purer  ash;  the  region  about  the  vent  white;  primaries 
and  tail  feathers  plumbeous  black,  especially  towards  the  tips;  the  tail  with  a  ter- 
minal band  of  yellow;  a  narrow  frontal  line  passing  backward  ond  involving  the 
eye,  and  extending  above  and  behind  it;  chin  and  upper  part  of  throat  black;  tips 
of  the  secondary  coverts,  and  a  spot  on  the  end  of  the  outer  wsbs  of  all  the  quills, 
white ;  those  on  the  inner  primaries  glossed  with  yellow ;  secondaries  with  red,  homy 
tips,  like  sealing-wax;  side  of  the  lower  jaw  whitish. 

Length,  seven  and  forty  one-bundredths  inches;  wing,  four  and  fifty  one-hon- 
dredths  inches;  tail,  tliree  inches. 


THE   CEDAU-lilUU. 


20u 


Thit  ipecien,  with  the  generiil  appearance  of  Ihu  Cv<lar-I>iril,  ii  readily  dUim- 
fuiahed  b/  Uh  lupcrinr  lUe,  iiiucli  lur^fer  ctghI,  bluck  tliin  and  thrual,  iiittvud  of 
chin  ulotic,  hrowiiislK'liL-Ktniit  under  tail  covertx,  inHtvad  of  wliite,  ami  the  wliilo 
iimrld  on  tlio  wing  not  iuund  ut  ull  in  lliu  otiier.  In  tliv  closvd  win);,  tliu  wliite  on 
the  undH  of  tliu  prinuirien  t'orinit  a  I'onliuuuun  uurruw  atripu  ueurl/  purullel  with  Uik 
outer  ed^e  of  tliu  wing. 

THIS  bird  is  au  extremely  rare  winter  visitor  in  New 
England,  appearing  only  in  severe  seasons.  It  is  seen 
in  small  lloeks  of  perhaps  six  or  eight  individuals,  usually 
in  groves  of  cedars  or  Virginia  junipers,  where  it  feeds  on 
the  small  blue  berries  or  seeds  that  are  found  on  those  trees. 
This  s[)ecies  breeds  in  *ho  most  northern  portions  of  the 
continent. 


AMPELIS  CEDBOBUM.  —  Baird. 

The  Cedar-bird;  Cherry-bird. 

Amptllt  garrulus,  Linnwua.     Syst.  Xat.,  I.  (176C)  297. 

liumbijcilla  CnroUnctms,  Audubon.     Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (V831)  227;  V.  404. 

Ainj)eli*  Americana,  Wibiou.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  (1808)  107. 

Deschiption. 

Head  crested;  general  color  reddish-olive,  passing  anteriorly  on  the  neck,  bean, 
and  breast  into  purplish-cinnamon,  posteriorly  on  the  upper  parts  into  ash,  on  tlie 
lower  into  jellow;  under  tail  coverts  white;  chin  dark  sooty-black,  fading  insensibly 
into  the  ground-color  on  the  throat ;  forehead,  loral  region,  spate  below  the  eye,  and 
a  line  above  it  on  the  side  of  the  head,  intense  black;  quills  and  tail  dark-plumbeous, 
passing  behind  into  dusky;  tlie  tail  tipped  with  yellow;  the  primaries,  except  the 
(irst,  margined  with  hoary;  a  short  maxillary  stripe,  a  narrow  crescent  on  the  infero- 
posturior  quarter  of  the  eye,  white;  secondaries  with  horny  tips,  like  red  sealing-wax. 

Length,  seven  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches ;  wing,  four  and  live  one- 
hundredths;  tail,  two  and  sixty  one-hundredths  inches. 

IIiJ).  —  North  America  generally,  south  to  Guatemala. 

This  very  common  and  well-known  bird  is  a  summei 
inhabitant  of  all  New  England.  It  remains  in  the  southern 
districts  through  the  winter,  but  usually  arrives,  in  flocks 
of  twenty  or  thirty,  as  early  as  the  first  or  second  week 
in  March.  About  the  middle  of  May,  these  flocks  are 
divided  into  smaller  ones,  and  these  soon  into  pairs, 
which  commence  building  about  the  second  week  in  June. 
The  nest  is  placed  in  the  midst  of  twigs  on  a  horizontal 


•I 

■■1 


266 


onNirnoLOOY  and  oology. 


Lower  flu.,  ( 'cdttr-blrd. 
Upper  flg.,  Kod-oycJ  VIreo. 


brunch,  gonorally  of  a  trco  iu  tlio  ori;limd ;  somotiinca  in  a 
codur  or  othor  trco  in  a  pasturo  or  wood.  It  is  coii- 
Btructod  of  stalks  of  weeds,  loii^j;  fino  roots,  grus.s,  grapo- 

viuo  bark,  and  leaves :  it  is 
deeply  hollowed,  and  lined  with 
fine  roots,  horsehairs,  and  fino 
grass.  Olio  speeimon  in  my  col- 
lection is  partly  composed  of 
strips  of  twine  and  thread, 
which  aro  woven  together  in  a 
very  neat  and  compact  man- 
ner, and  interlaced  with  nu- 
merous lino  roots  and  weeds. 
Tho  eggs  are  usnally  four  or 
five  in  number:  they  aro  laid 
about  tho  twentieth  of  Juno, 
and  a  second  litter  often  in  Au- 
gust. They  arc  of  a  light-bluish 
or  clay-whito  color,  with  a  slight  purplo  tint,  and  aro  marked, 
more  or  less  thickly,  with  distinct  spots  of  black,  and  more 
obscure  spots  of  purplish-brown :  tho  appearance  of  those 
latter  spots  is  as  if  thoy  were  "  beneath  tho  surface  of 
the  shell."  Dimensions  of  five  eggs  collected  in  Now 
Hampshire:  .86  by  .64  inch,  .86  by  .63  inch,  .86  by  .60 
inch,  .80  by  .62  inch,  .80  by  .60  inch.  A  great  number  of 
specimens  from  different  localities  do  not  exhibit  any  great 
variations  from  these  measurements. 

There  is  a  great  deal  of  ill  feeling  manifested  towards 
this  well-known  bird  by  the  farmers,  on  account  of  its  occa- 
sionally helping  itself  to  a  few  cherries  or  other  small  fruits. 
Its  valuable  services  in  the  orchard  and  nursery  seem  to  bo 
overlooked,  and  its  life  is  often  forfeited  for  this  little  weak- 
ness. But  if  the  farmer  will  observe  it  in  its  insect-destroy- 
ing labors,  watch  it  as  it  devours  caterpillar  after  caterpillar, 
or  draws  from  its  lurking-place  the  larva  of  some  injurious 
insect,  he  will  come  to  the  conclusion,  as  many  have  already 


b^ 


THR  CKDAK-UtRD. 


267 


douo,  that  tliiii  bird  is  wurthy  Iuh  protection,  iustoad  uf 
duHorviiig  Wm  utigt!r. 

Says  Nuttull,  in  Hpeuking  of  tliiH  fact, — 

"  At  this  HUiiDuu  (April),  lu  ropuy  the  giiriluncr  fur  the  tithu 
of  his  cru]),  tiicir  nuturui  due,  thoy  full  not  to  usxiHt  in  ri«l(ling  IiIh 
triiud  of  iuuri3  duudiy  unumies  wiiiuh  iiifiist  thun.,  mid  thu  HmiiU 
cuturpillurM,  boetlus,  nnd  various  iusuuts  now  cunstituto  their  only 
food ;  und  tor  hours  ut  a  time  they  may  ho  seen  feeding  on  the  ull- 
ihiflpoiling  cunker-wornis,  which  infest  our  apple-trees  und  elms. 
On  these  occasions,  silent  and  sedate,  iil'lor  plentifully  feeding,  they 
sit  dressing  their  feathers,  in  near  contact  on  the  same  brunch,  to 
the  number  of  fivo  or  six ;  and,  as  the  season  of  selective  attach- 
ment upproaches,  they  may  bo  observed  pluming  each  other,  and 
caressing  with  tho  most  gentle  fondness.  This  friendly  trait  is 
carried  so  fur,  that  an  eye-witness  assures  mo  he  has  seen  one 
among  a  row  of  theso  birds  seated  upon  a  brunch  durt  oiler  an 
insect,  and  ofi'er  it  to  his  associute  when  cuught,  who  very  disin- 
terestedly passed  it  to  the  next ;  and,  each  delicately  declining  Uie 
otfer,  the  morsel  has  proceeded  backwards  and  forwards  before  it 
was  oppropriated." 

The  uoto  of  tho  Oodar-bird,  like  that  of  tho  Wax-wing,  is 
a  feeble,  plaintive  twSey  tw^e,  uttered  often,  and  by  both 

sexes. 


■4 


208 


OUNITIIOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  LANIID^. 

Bill  strong  and  compressed,  the  tip  abruptly  hooked ;  both  mandibles  distinctl^v 
notched,  the  upper  with  a  distinct  toolh  bcliiiid,  the  lower  with  the  point  bent  up; 
tarsi  longer  thiin  the  middle  toe,  stronjjly  scutellute;  primaries  ten;  tirst  primary 
hull'  tlio  second,  or  shorter  (occasionally  wiuitinfj). 

The  sub-families  of  Luniidm  belonging  to  the  United  States  are  as  follows:  — 

I>ANiiN/K.  —  Hill  verj'  powerful,  much  compressed,  and  abruptly  hooked,  with  a 
very  prominent  toolh  beliind  the  notch;  wings  considerably  ;ounded;  tail  ratlier 
long  and  graduated;  sides  of  the  tarsi  scutellate  behind. 

ViuEONiN.K.  —  liill  moderate,  cylindrical,  somewhat  compressed;  wings  long,  the 
first  primary  sometimes  wanting;  tail  short  and  nearly  even ;  -sides  of  the  tarsi  behind 
not  iicutellate. 

Sub- Family  Laniin.£. —  The  Shrikes. 
COLLYRIO,  MoEHRUJQ. 

Collyrio,  MuEHKLNO,  Genera  Avium  (1762),  28.    (Type  Lanius  excubitor,  L.) 
Lanius,  of  Authors. 

Feathers  of  forehead  stiffened;  base  of  bill,  including  nostrils,  covered  by  bristly 
feathers  directed  forward;  bill  shorter  than  the  head,  much  compressed,  and  very 
powerful ;  culmen  decurved  from  base,  the  mandible  abruptly  bent  down  in  a  power- 
ful hook,  what  in  acute  lobe  near  the  tip;  tip  of  lower  mandible  bent  upwards  m  a 
hook;  the  gonys  very  convex;  rictus  with  long  bristles;  legs  stout;  the  tarsi  are 
rather  short,  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  the  lateral  equal;  the  claws  all  very  sharp 
and  much  curved;  wings  rounded;  the  first  primary  about  half  the  second,  which  is 
v({ual  to  the  sixth  or  seventh;  tail  longer  than  the  wings,  much  graduated,  the 
feathers  broad. 

COLLYEIO  BOEEALIS.  —  Baird. 

The  Great  Northern  Shrike;  Butcher-bird. 

Lanius  septentrionalis,  Bonaparte.  Syn.  (1828),  72.  Bon.  List  (1838).  Kutt. 
Man.,  L(1S32)  2r>K. 

Lanius  borealis.  Audubon.     Syn.  (1839),  157. 

Lanius  excubitor.     VVils.,  L  (1808)  74.     Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IL  (1834)  634. 

Description. 

Above  light  bluish-ash,  obscurely  soiled  with  reddish-bro^vn ;  ibrehead,  sides  of 
the  crown,  scapulars,  and  upper  tail  coverts  hoary-white;  beneath  white,  the  breast 
with  line  transverse  lines;  wings  and  tail  black,  the  former  with  a  white  patch  at 
base  of  primarlos  and  tips  of  small  (|inll->,  the  latter  with  the  lateral  feathers  tipped 
withwliite;  bill  blackish-brown,  considerably  ligliter  at  theba.se;  black  stripe  from 
the  bill  through  and  behind  the  eye,  but  beneath  the  latter  interrupted  by  a  whitisli 
crescent.    Female  aud  young  with  the  gray  soiled  with  browuish. 


>**., 


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--4-.3! 


5    Se 


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THE   ORRAT   NORTHERN   SHRIKE. 


20!) 


Lengtli,  nine  and  eifthty-fivc  oiic-hundrodths  inches;  wings,  four  nnd  fifty  one- 
hundrcdtho  inches;  tail,  four  and  eighty  one-hundredths  inches;  its  graduation, 
ninety  one-hundredths  inches. 

THIS  species,  although  not  uncommon  as  a  winter  visitor 
in  New  England,  is  seldom  seen  here  during  the  sum- 
mer months ;  and  I  think  that  it  very  rarely  breeds  in  these 
States,  and  then  only  in  the  most  northern  and  retired 
sections. 

It  makes  its  appearance  about  the  last  week  in  October, 
and  is  seen  until  the  last  week  in  April.  During  this  period, 
it  preys  upon  small  birds,  mice,  and  such  insects  and  larviB 
as  it  finds  in  exposed  situations,  such  as  fences,  piles  of 
stones,  &c. 

In  watching  for  its  prey,  it  usually  remains  perched  on  a 
stake  or  small  tree,  in  a  field  or  meadow,  carefully  scanning 
the  surrounding  neighborhood.  When  a  mouse  or  other 
small  mammal  presents  itself  in  the  grass,  the  bird  folds 
its  wings,  drops  on  it  with  an  unerring  aim,  and  seizes  it 
with  its  bill.  If  a  flock  of  small  birds,  such  as  Pine-finches 
or  Red-polls,  appear  in  sight,  he  immediately  pursues  them, 
and  generally  secures  one  or  two  before  they  are  dispersed. 
I  have  seen  an  individual  dart  into  a  flock  of  Tree  Sparrows, 
and  kill  three  of  them  before  they  could  escape ;  and  it 
seems  a  characteristic  of  this  bird  to  secure  more  than 
enough  food  for  its  present  wants.  Its  habit  of  suspending 
small  birds,  mice,  and  insects  on  thorns  and  small  twigs, 
is  well  known.  This  is  done,  I  am  inclined  to  think,  not 
because,  as  many  writers  assert,  that  it  will  not  eat  its  food 
when  freshly  killed,  and  it  thus  suspetids  it  in  order  that 
it  may  become  tainted,  but  rather  to  have  this  food  stored 
for  future  need.  We  see  many  other  birds  witli  this  same 
habit  of  providing  for  future  wants ;  particularly  the  Blue 
Jay,  and  some  of  the  Woodpeckers. 

I  have  never  mot  with  the  nest  of  this  species,  and  will 
borrow  the  description  by  Audubon  :  — 

"About  the  20th  of  April,  tlie  male  and  his  mate  are  seen 


270 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


engaged  in  building  their  nest  in  the  covered  and  secluded  parts  of 
the  forests.  I  found  several  of  their  nests  placed  on  bushes  not 
above  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  without  any  appearance  of  choice 
as  to  the  tree,  but  generally  towards  the  top,  and  placed  in  a  fork. 
The  nest  is  as  large  as  that  of  the  Robin,  and  is  composed  exter- 
nally of  coarse  grasses,  leaves,  and  moss  ;  internally  of  fibrous  roots, 
over  which  is  a  bed  of  the  feathers  of  the  wild  turkey  and  pheas- 
ant (Tetrao  uvibellus)." 

Nuttall,  in  describing  the  nest,  says  that  it  is  "large  and 
compact,  in  the  fork  of  a  small  tree,  and  sometimes  in  an 
apple-tree,  composed  externally  of  dried  grass,  with  whitish 
moss,  and  well  lined  with  feathers." 

The  eggs  are  from  four  to  six  in  number,  of  a  dirty  lead- 
colored  white,  and  marked  more  or  less  thickly,  around  the 
greater  end,  with  dashes  and  spots  of  biown  of  different 
shades.  Dimensions  of  four  eggs :  1.12  by  .80  inch,  1.12 
by  .78  inch,  1.08  by  .78  inch,  1.04  by  .77  inch. 


Sub-Family  Vireonxn^.  —  The   Vireos. 

VIREO,  VlEILLOT. 

Vireo,  Vieillot,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  L  (1807)  83.  (Type  Muscicapa  Noveboracensis, 
Gm.) 

Bill  short,  strong,  straight;  the  culmen  slightly  curved,  the  sides  much  compressed 
to  the  tip,  which  is  rapidly  curs-cd  and  deflected ;  the  gonys  long  and  ascending;  the 
gape  with  short,  weak  bristles;  the  nostrils  basal,  rounded,  and  exposed,  the  feathers 
of  the  head  advancing  forward  on  the  bill  to  the  nostril;  wings  variable,  rather  long, 
and  pointed ;  the  first  quill  sometimes  spurious,  the  larger  outer  one  always  gradu- 
ated a  little;  tail  nearly  even  and  rather  short;  tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe; 
outer  toe  a  little  longer  than  the  inner;  hind  toe  rather  shorter  than  the  middle  one. 


VIREO   OLIVACEUS.  —  Vieillot 
The  Bed-eyed  Vireo. 

Muscicapa  oUvacea,  Linnaeus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  827.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  II 
(1810)  55. 

Vireo  olivacetu,  Nuttall.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  812.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  287; 
V.  430. 


y/^v/^^v/ry/  y^/ 


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NVwKiisI  l.uli.Sttaiu  Ma.lV)  .1+  Ch«iinr 


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THE   RED-EYED   VIREO. 


271 


Descuiption. 

Second  and  third  quilla  nhout  equni,  and  longest ;  first  a  little  fihortcr  than  the 
fourth,  but  considerably  longer  than  the  fifth:  back,  rump,  and  edges  of  wing  and 
tail  feathers  bright  olivaceous-green;  side  of  hend  iind  neck  paler;  crown  dark -ash, 
eharply  defined;  a  well-defined  whitish  line  from  the  bill,  over  the  eye,  nearly  to  the 
occiput;  a  dark  lino  separating  it  above  from  the  ashy  crown;  a  dusky  line  through 
the  eye;  beneath  white;  under  tail  coverts  pale  sulphur-yellow;  iris,  red. 

Length,  about  six  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  fifty  on»- 
hundredths. 


I  feel  that  no  description  of  mine  can  begin  to  do  justice 
to  the  genial,  happy,  industrious  disposition  of  this  one  of 
our  most  common,  and  perhaps  best-loved  birds.  From  the 
time  of  its  arrival,  about  the  first  week  in  May,  until  its 
departure,  about  the  first  week  in  October,  it  is  seen  in  the 
foliage  of  elms  and  other  shade-trees  in  the  midst  of  our 
cities  and  villages,  in  the  apple-trees  near  the  farm-houses, 
and  in  the  tall  oaks  and  chestn\its  in  the  deep  forests. 
Everywhere  in  these  States,  af  all  hours  of  the  day,  from 
early  dawn  xmtil  evening  twilight,  his  sweet,  half-plaintive, 
half-meditative  carol  is  heard.  I  Lnow  that  I  am  not  singu- 
lar in  my  preference,  when  I  say,  that,  of  all  my  feathered 
acquaintances,  this  is  the  greatest  favorite  I  have.  I  always 
loved  it ;  and  I  can  never  look  upon  one,  after  it  is  killed, 
no  matter  how  naturally  it  is  preserved,  without  a  sad  feel- 
ing, as  if  it  were  one  of  my  own  most  dear  friends  dead 
before  me. 

The  Red-eyed  Vireo  is  one  of  the  most  industrious  of 
our  birds.  Whenever  we  see  him,  we  notice  that  he  is 
busily  searching  in  the  foliage  of  trees  for  caterpillars  and 
noxious  larvae,  or  pursuing  winged  insects  that  have  taken 
flight  from  the  trees.  While  thus  engaged,  he  utters  at 
short  intervals  his  warbling  song.  This  consists  some- 
times of  a  few  syllables  like  \oSe  chewio  turrullit  cheiveeo, 
given  in  a  singularly  sweet  tone.  This  is  only  a  part  of  its 
song ;  and  the  whole  is  so  difficult  of  description  that  I  can- 
not put  it  on  paper. 

Says  Nuttall, — 


•1  •'Jl 


v*>' 


07^ 


ORNITHOLOr.Y    AND    OOLOCY. 


"  The  whole  is  flclivorcvl  almost  witliout  any  scnsihlo  interval, 
with  earnest  animation,  in  a  pathetic,  tender,  and  pleasing  strain, 
well  calculated  to  produco  calm  and  thonijhtfiil  reflection  in  the 
sensitive  mind.  Yet,  while  this  heavenly  reverie  strikes  on 
the  human  ear  with  such  peculiar  effect,  the  humble  musician 
himself  seem?  but  little  concerned :  for  all  the  while,  perhaps,  that 
this  flowing  chorus  enchants  the  hearer,  he  is  casually  hopping 
from  spray  to  spray  in  quest  of  his  active  or  crawling  prey ;  and, 
if  a  cessation  occurs  in  his  almost  untiring  lay,  it  is  occasioned  by 
the  caterpillar  or  fly  he  has  fortunately  just  captured.  Ho  unaf- 
fected are  these  delightful  efforts  of  instinct,  and  so  unconscious  is 
the  performer,  apparently,  of  this  i)leasing  faculty  bestowed  upon 
him  by  nature,  that  he  may  truly  be  considered  as  a  messenger  of 
liarmony  to  man  alone,  appointed  by  the  fiat  of  the  Creative 
power.  Wantonly  to  destroy  these  delightful  aids  to  sentimental 
happiness  ought  therefore  to  be  viewed,  not  only  as  an  act  of  bar- 
barity, but  almost  as  a  sacrilege." 

The  Red-eyed  Vireo  commences  building  about  the  first 
week  in  June,  frequenting  the  woods  rather  more  commonly 
than  the  pastures  and  orchards,  although  it  often  breeds  in 
these  places.  The  nest  is  pensile,  and  is  hung  f'-om  the 
fork  of  a  small  limb  of  a  tree,  seldom  more  than  fifteen  or 
twenty  feet  from  the  ground :  it  is  constructed  of  thin  strips 
of  cedar  bark,  pieces  of  wasps'  nests,  spiders'  nests,  pieces  of 
caterpillars'  silk,  and  other  pliable  materials.  These  are 
woven  together  neatly  and  compactly,  and  agglutinated 
together  by  the  bird's  saliva.  It  is  suspended  in  the  form 
of  a  basket  from  the  forked  twig  to  which  it  is  attached,  or 
rather  sewed  firmly.  It  is  lined  with  narrow  strij)s  of 
grape-vine  bark,  pine  leaves,  and  sometimes  fine  grass.  On 
the  outside  are  often  visible  bits  of  rotten  wood,  fragments 
of  newspapers,  and  hornet's  nests.  One  specimen  in  my  col- 
lection, obtained  in  Maine,  is  constructed  almost  entirely  of 
pieces  of  the  bark  of  tlie  white  bircli:  it  is  a  very  neat 
fabric.  The  eggs  are  four  in  niimbcr,  pure-white  in  color, 
and  thinly  spotted,  chiefly  at  the  great  end,  with  dots  of 


THE   WARBLING    VIRKO. 


l>7;] 


brownisli-black.  Tho  moasiiroinoiit  of  four  eggs  in  a  nest 
collectod  in  Milton,  Mass.,  are  .84  by  .00  inch,  .80  by  .60 
inch,  .80  by  .59  inch,  .78  by  .59  inch.  Other  specimens 
vary  but  little  from  these  dimensions.  Two  l)roods  are 
often  reared  in  tho  season.  Tho  period  of  inciil)ation  is 
twelve  days. 

TIBEO   QlhWS.— Bimnpnrte. 
The  Warbling  Vireo. 


Mutdcapa  gilva,  Vieillot.    Ois.,  I.  (1807)  65. 

Mreo gileut,  Nuttall.    I.  (1882)  309.    Aud.  Oni.  Biog.,  11.  (1834)  114;  V.  (1889. 


433. 

Aftucicnpa  melodia,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  V.  (1812)  85. 

Description. 

Third,  fourth,  an  '  fifth  quills  nearly  equal;  second  and  sixth  usually  about  equai, 
and  about  twenty-five  one-hundredths  of  an  inch  shorter  than  third ;  the  exposed 
portion  of  spurious  quill  about  one-fourth  the  third;  above  greenish-olive;  the 
head  and  hind  neck  ashy,  the  back  slightly  tinged  with  the  same;  lores  dusky;  a 
white  streak  from  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  above  and  a  little  behind  the  eye; 
beneath  the  eye  whitish;  sides  of  the  head  pale  yellowish-brown;  beneath  white, 
tinged  with  very  pale  yellow  on  the  breast  and  sides;  no  light  margins  whatever  on 
the  outer  webs  of  the  wings  or  tail. 

Length,  about  five  and  a  half  inches;  wings  nearly  three.  Spurious  primary, 
one-fourth  the  length  of  second. 

This  species  is  a  not  very  common  summer  inhabitant  of 
New  England,  arriving  and  departing  at  about  the  same 
time  as  the  preceding  species.  It  is  seldom  seen  in  the 
deep  forests ;  and,  while  usually  found  about  farm-houses 
and  villages,  is  most  commonly  seen  in  localities  where  there 
are  numbers  of  the  trees  of  the  poplar  and  ash.  In  these 
trees,  it  inhabits  the  higher  branches  ;  and  is,  with  the  Red- 
eyed  Vireo,  equally  industrious  in  its  search  for  insects.  Its 
song  is  difficult  of  description  :  it  is,  unlike  that  of  our  other 
Vireos,  a  long-continued,  cheerful  warble ;  and  is  perhaps 
best  described  by  saying  that  it  almost  exactly  resembles 
the  love-song  of  the  Purple  Finch.  In  fact,  I  have  some- 
times mistaken  the  song  of  this  bird  for  that  of  the  other, 
and  only  discovered  my  error  after  carefully  watching  the 
bird  in  his  movements  in  the  tree-tops. 

18 


'i 
?? 


274 


0IINITII01,()(!Y    AND   OOLOGY. 


Tlio  Waibliiij^  Virco  seems  to  arrive  here  in  pairs  ;  for  tlioy 
Booin  to  be  mated  when  wo  first  discover  them.  Wliether 
their  attachment  continues  thronj^h  several  seasons,  I  am 
ignorant. 

About  the  first  of  .June,  tlic  pair  coniraence  Iniilding. 
The  nest  in  pensile,  and  usiuilly  built,  in  tall  trees  (usually 
poplars),  oftiMi  fifty  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  constructcid 
of  strips  of  grapi;-vino  bark,  grass,  leaves,  or  bass-wood 
liark;  and  sonu'tiinos  bundu's  of  catorpillars'  silk  arc  left  on 
the  outside,  as  if  for  ornament.  The  following  very  inter- 
esting account  of  the  brooding  habits  of  this  bird  is  given, 
by  Audul)on,  who  watched  a  pair  building  in  a  Lombardy 
poplar : — 

"One  morning,  I  observed  both  of  them  at  work:  they  had 
already  attached  some  slender  blades  of  grass  to  the  knots  of  the 
braiicli  and  the  bark  of  the  trunk,  and  had  given  them  a  circular 
disposition.  They  continued  working  downwards  and  outwards 
until  the  structure  exhibited  the  form  of  their  delicate  tenement. 
Before  the  end  of  the  second  day,  bits  of  hornelo'  nests  and  particles 
of  corn  hnsks  had  been  attached  to  it  by  pushing  them  between  the 
rows  of  grass,  and  fixing  them  with  silky  substances.  On  the  third 
day,  the  birds  were  absent,  nor  could  I  hear  them  anywhere  in  the 
ncigldiorhood  ;  and,  thinking  *hat  a  cat  might  have  caught  them  from 
the  edge  of  the  roof,  I  despaired  of  seeing  them  again.  On  the 
fourth  morning,  Iiowcver,  their  notes  attracted  my  attention  before 
I  arose ;  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  fuiding  them  at  their  labors. 
The  materials  wliich  they  now  used  consisted  chiefly  of  extremely 
slender  grasses,  which  the  birds  worked  in  a  circular  form  within 
the  frame  wliich  they  had  previously  made.  The  little  creatures 
were  absent  nearly  an  hour  at  a  time,  and  returned  together,  bring- 
ing the  grass,  which,  I  concluded,  they  found  at  a  considerable 
ilistanc^e.  Going  into  the  street  to  see  in  wiiat  direction  th(,y  went, 
I  watched  them  for  some  time,  and  followed  them  as  they  flew  from 
tree  to  tree  towards  the  river.  There  they  stopped,  and  looked  as 
if  carefully  watching  me,  when  they  resumed  their  journey,  and 
led  me  quite  out  of  the  village  to  a  large  meadow,  where  stood  an 
old  h.ay-stack.    They  alighted  on  it,  and,  in  a  few  minutes,  each  had 


TIIK   WHITK  KYKD    VIRDO. 


276 


selected  a  blade  of  grnsx,  Ri'tiiniiiij;  by  tlie  same  unite,  tliey 
moved  so  slowly  from  one  tree  to  nnother,  tliut  my  piitieiice  wuh 
levorely  tried.  Two  other  dnys  were  consumed  w  traveilinjrj  for 
tlie  snme  kind  of  j^rass.  On  the  seveiitli.  I  saw  oidy  the  femalo  nt 
work,  usinrr  wood  nnd  horsehair:  tho  eit^hth  was  almo-i  entirely 
spent  liy  both  in  smoothing  the  inside.  They  wituld  liter  the  nest, 
sit  in  it,  turn  round,  and  press  the  lining.  In  the  course  of  flv- 
days,  an  equal  number  of  eggs  were  laid :  they  were  small,  of  a 
rather  narrow  ovnl  form,  white,  thinly  spotted  with  reddish-blaek 
ut  the  larger  eml.  The  birds  sat  alternately,  thougli  not  with  regu- 
larity as  to  time ;  and,  on  the  twelfth  day  of  incubation,  the  young 
came  out.  I  observed  that  the  male  wouhl  bring  insects  to  the 
female,  and  that,  after  chopping  and  macerating  them  with  her 
beak,  she  placed  them  in  the  mouth  of  her  young  with  a  care 
and  delicacy  which  were  not  less  curious  than  pleasing  to  me." 


This  account  is  so  full  and  complete  that  I  can  add  notTi- 
ing  to  the  history  of  the  breeding  habits  of  this  bird.  But 
one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season  in  this  latitiido.  The 
dimensions  of  four  eggs  in  my  collection  from  different 
localities  are  .83  by  .56  inch,  .80  by  .56  inch,  .78  by  .54 
inch,  .78  by  .53  inch.  These  will  be  found  to  be  the  aver- 
age size  of  this  species.  The  nest  is  about  three  inches  in 
exterior  diameter,  and  about  two  and  a  half  in  depth. 


:.^:i 


mi 


VIBEO    NOVEBOEAOENSIS.  —  Bonaparte. 

The  White-eyed  Vireo. 

Mmcicapa  Noveboracevsis,  Gmolin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  947. 
Vireo  Noveboracentis,  Bonnjtane.    Obs.  Wils.  (1825),  No.  122.    Aud.  Om.  Biog., 
I.  (1831)  828;  V.  431,  433;  Birds  Am.,  IV.  (1842)  146;  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  306. 
Mwcicapa  cantawix,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  II.  (1810)  266. 

Description. 

Spurious  primft'7  about  lialf  the  second,  which  is  about  equal  to  tlie  eighth  quill ; 
entire  upper  parts  bright  olivaceous-green;  space  around  the  eyes  and  extending 
to  the  bill  greenish-yellow,  interrupted  by  a  dusky  spot  from  the  anterior  canthus  to 
the  base  of  the  gape;  beneath  white;  the  sides  of  the  breast  and  body  well  defined, 
almost  gamboge-yellow;  edges  of  greater  and  middle  wing  coverts  (forming  two 
bands)  and  of  inner  tertiaries  greenish-yellow  white;  iris  white. 

Length,  five  inches;  wing,  two  and  Rdy  one-hundredths. 


m 


OIlNITIIOLOfiY    AND   00l,0(ir. 


Tliirt  H|ii'ci(!fl  is  very  Irrojjiiliirly  distiilniloil  in  Now  Ew^- 
liiiid  us  a  Huinini;r  iiili!il)itiint.  In  .Maiiio,  New  Ilaiiipsliiru, 
aiitl  VcM'iiioiit  it  iH  raro ;  and,  wliilo  it  is  quite  abundant  in 
tho  euHtern  parts  of  MassaclniHottfl,  it  is  raro  in  tho  western. 
Says  J.  A.  A11(Mi  of  it,  nt  Spriiif^^fiold, — 

"I  hiivn  iiover  known  tlio  Wliitc-eyed  Vireo  taken  iioro ;  ami  if 
ocnurrin^,  ;is  it  very  probably  (Iocs,  boinjj  not  very  uncommon  it. 
tin'  ciisfcrn  parts  of  tin!  .State,  it  must  be  cxpcssividy  rare.  In 
alioiit  a  thousdini  spocimens  of  tins  smaller  land  birds  taken  at 
Spriiif^flcld  dining  tho  lost  three  years  by  dillerent  collectors,  not 
a  single  White-eyed  Vireo  has  been  found." 

This  specios  arrives  from  tho  South,  usually  iu  pairs,  from 
about  tho  25th  of  April  to  tho  Ist  of  May.  It  generally 
frequents  low  thickets  and  swamps.  I  do  not  remomher  of 
ever  meeting  with  one  in  deep,  high  woods;  but  have  often 
found  a  pair  in  a  brier-patch  in  the  middle  of  an  old  field  or 
pasttirc.  Ln  such  localities,  its  peculiar  note  \-hip  cheive/'o, 
''chip  'chip  cheiveeo,  is  often  heard ;  together  with  another 
rattling,  scolding  note,  difficult  of  description.  When  Ihe 
bird  is  approached,  it  meets  the  intruder  with  this  scidding 
rattle  ;  and,  if  the  nest  is  approached,  the  Vireo  becomes 
almost  outrageous  iu  its  remonstrances.  The  nest  is  usually 
placed  in  a  thicket  of  briers  or  vines,  often  in  the  gardens 
and  fields.  It  is  constructed  of  fibres  of  the  inner  bark  of 
trees,  fine  twigs,  grasses,  pieces  of  liornets'  nests,  and  frag- 
ments of  paper.  These  are  built  in  a  pensile  form,  sus- 
pended by  tlic  upper  edge,  and  lined  with  slender  strips  of 
grape-vine  bark  and  roots.  The  eggs  are  usually  four  iu 
number,  and  can  hardly  be  distinguished  from  those  of  tho 
Red-eyed  Vireo  in  shape  or  color;  the  average  dimensions 
being  a  trifle  smaller.  Several  eggs  collected  in  different 
localities  exhibit,  as  an  average  measiirement,  .82  by  ..59 
inch.  A  nest  complement  of  four  eggs,  collected  in  Milton, 
Mass.,  vary  but  a  trifle  from  this  size ;  their  measurement 
oeiug  .83  by  .59  inch,  .82  by  .59  inch,  .82  by  .58  inch,  .80 


TllK   hOLlTAUV    VIIIKO. 


1177 


by  SiH  inch.  Hut  oik;  hniod  ia  UHiiiilly  rosirod  in  New  Knj;- 
liind  in  tlio  suauun,  und  tliu  puriod  uf  incubutiun  id  Iwl-Ivu 
duya. 

VIBEO    SOLITABIDS.  -  VUiUut. 

The  Solitary  Vireo;  Blue-headed  Vireo. 

.Hiucicnpa  Kilitdiid,  Wilnoii.     Am.  Oni.,  II.  (IKllt)  143. 

\'iieo  ititiliiriiu,  Vieillot.  Nimv.  Diet  (IH17).  Aud.  Om.  Bit.^.,  I.  (l»3l),  UTj  V. 
(188U)  4»'J.     Nutt.  Man.,  1.  (Ib8'i)  306. 

Dehchution. 

S|iuri(>ii8  primary  very  iniull,  nut  uiio-fourlli  the  fecund,  wliicli  is  longer  lliuii 
lliuKlxth;  tnp  and  Hidvii  of  tliv  liriid  ami  iippvr  part  of  tliu  nick  dark  lilui.-li-aHli; 
rvHt  (if  upper  purtH  clear  (>livu-(;rut'n ;  u  wliito  rln;{  ruund  tliu  eye,  interrupted  in  the 
anterior  cantliut  by  a  du»ky  lure,  but  the  white  cutor  e.>Ltundin}{  abuve  this  updt  tii 
the  bi'se  of  the  bill;  under  parts  white;  (lie  sides  under  the  wiiij,'»  grei'iilsli-yelhuv  ; 
two  bands  on  tlio  winff  coverts,  with  the  ed(;es  of  the  secondaries,  greenish-white; 
outer  tail  feather  with  its  edge  all  round,  includinfj  the  whole  outer  weii,  whitish. 

Length,  about  five  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  two  and  lurty  oiio-hundredths. 

Tliis  bird  occurs  as  a  suunner  resident  in  New  England. 
It  has  been  talten  in  till  tlicso  States,  but  not  in  any  numbers. 

it  makes  its  appearance  about  the  first  or  second  wcolc  in 
May,  usually  in  pairs,  and  cominoncos  building  its  nest 
about  the  last  week  in  that  month.  I  have  never  met  with 
its  nest;  and  Audubon's  description,  though  meagre,  is  the 
l)est  available.     It  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  iiest  is  prettily  constructed,  and  fixed,  iu  a  partially  pensile 
manner,  between  two  twigs  of  a  low  bush  on  a  branch  runniin; 
liorizoiitally  from  the  main  stem.  It  is  formed  externally  of  gray 
lichens  slightly  put  together,  and  lined  with  hair,  chiefly  from  the 
deer  and  raccoon.  The  female  lays  four  or  five  eggs,  which  are 
white,  with  a  strong  tinge  of  flesh-color,  and  sprinkled  with  brown- 
ish-red dots  at  the  larger  end." 

A  number  of  eggs  in  my  collection  correspond  in  color 
and  markings  to  the  above  description,  and  measure  on 
the  average  .81  by  .59  inch.  But  one  brood  is  reared  in  the 
season,  although  there  have  been  specimens  taken  as  late  as 


■  'i 


ff 


i'i 


278 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


October.  But  little  is  known  of  the  habits  of  this  bird,  as 
it  prefers  tlie  deep  woods  and  swainps  to  the  more  open  dis- 
tricts. 

VIEEO    FLAVIFEONS.  —  VieiUot. 
The  Yellow-throated  Vireo. 

\^reo  flnvlfrovs,  Vieillot.    Ois.  Am.,  L  (1807)  85.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IL  (1884^ 
119;  V.  428.  *  Jk,  Syn.     Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  IV.  (1842)  141. 
Musckopn  sykkvla,  Wilsoa.    Am.  Orn.,  IL  (1810)  117. 

Description. 

No  spurious  quill ;  the  first  and  fourth  equal ;  from  bill  to  middle  of  back,  sides 
of  head,  neck,  and  tore  part  of  breast  olive-green;  beneath,  from  bill  to  middle  of 
belly,  witli  a  ring  round  the  eyes,  sulphur-yellow;  lores  dusky;  rest  of  under  parts 
white;  of  upper,  a.sliy-blue,  tinged  wilh  green;  two  white  bands  on  the  wing;  ter- 
tiaries  edged  with  white,  other  quills  with  greenish;  outer  tail  feathers  edged  with 
yellowish-white ;  the  outer  web  of  first  feather  entirely  of  this  color,  except  near 
the  end. 

Length,  nearly  six  inches;  wing,  three  and  twenty  oae-bundredths. 


'  !■! 


This  beautiful  Vireo  is  not  very  common  in  New  England, 
although  it  is  found  in  all  these  States  as  a  suninier  visitor. 
It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  tenth  of  May,  sometimes 
not  earlier  than  the  fifteenth,  and  commences  building 
about  the  fii'sl  or  second  week  in  June.  The  nest  is  placed 
in  a  small  fork  of  a  trej,  usually  the  apple-tree,  at  a  height 
of  about  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  the 
most  beautiful  nest  made  by  birds  of  this  genus :  it  is  built 
of  nearly  the  same  materials  as  the  others,  but  is  covered  in 
the  most  tasty  manner  with  pieces  of  lichens  and  caterpil- 
lars' silk  and  spiders'  webs,  which  are  plastered  or  aggluti- 
nated on  over  the  entire  surface,  giving  the  nest  the 
appearance  of  a  large  bunch  of  moss  hanging  from  a  forked 
twig.  Several  of  these  nests,  collected  m  different  locali- 
ties, are  in  my  collection.  They  are  invariably  of  this 
descrip+ion,  and  are  all  lined  with  pieces  of  paper,  wasps' 
nest,  anu  fine  grasses.  With  the  exception  of  the  nest  of  the 
Ilumming-bird,  and  perhaps  two  or  three  of  the  Warblers, 
the  nest  of  this  species  is  the  most  beautiful  specimen  of 


THK   YELLOW-TIIROATIOn    VIUKO. 


27  D 


birc  architecture  that  I  am  acquainted  with.  The  c<igs  are 
usually  four  in  mauber.  They  arc  of  a  pure-white  color, 
with  tliinly  scattered  spots  of  two  shades  of  reddish-brown 
and  black.  The  dimensions  of  four  eggs  collected  in  Con- 
necticut are  .83  by  .61  inch,  .82  by  .00  inch,  .82  by  .GO  inch, 
and  .80  by  .59  inch.  But  one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season 
in  New  England. 

Wilson,  in  describing  the  habits  of  this  bird,  says, — 

"  This  summer  species  is  found  chielly  in  the  woods,  bunting 
among  the  liigli  branches ;  and  has  an  indolent  and  plaintive  note, 
which  it  repeats,  with  some  little  variation,  every  ten  or  twelve 
seconds,  like  preeo,  preeu,  &c.  It  is  oftun  heard  in  company  with 
the  Red-eyed  Flycatcher  (Muscicapa  oUvucea)  ;  the  loud,  energetic 
notes  of  the  latter,  mingling  with  the  soft,  languid  warble  of  the 
former,  producing  an  agreeable  effect,  paiticularly  during  the  burn- 
ing heat  of  noon,  when  almost  every  other  songster  but  these  two 
is  silent.  Those  who  loiter  through  the  shades  of  our  magnificent 
forests  at  that  hour  will  easily  recognize  both  species.  It  arrives 
fi'om  the  south  early  in  May,  and  returns  again  with  its  young 
about  the  middle  of  September.  Its  nest,  which  is  sometimes  fixed 
on  the  upper  side  of  a  limb,  sometimes  ou  a  horizontal  branch 
among  the  twigs,  generally  on  a  tree,  is  composed  outwardly  of 
thiu  strips  of  the  bark  of  grape-vines,  moss,  lichens,  &c.,  and  lined 
with  fine  fibres  of  such  like  substances :  the  ejgs,  usually  four,  are 
white,  thinly  dotted  with  black,  chiefly  near  the  great  end.  Winged 
insects  are  its  principal  food." 

In  dismissing  this  beautiful  and  favorite  family  of  our 
birds,  I  feci  that  it  is  impossible  to  say  too  much  in  their 
favor :  their  neat  and  delicate  plumage  and  sweet  song,  their 
engaging  and  interesting  habits,  and  their  well-known  insect- 
destroying  proclivities,  have  justly  rendered  them  great 
favorites ;  and  the  farmer,  in  protecting  them,  and  encour- 
ing  them  to  take  up  homes  near  his  orchards  and  gardens, 
but  extends  a  care  and  welcome  for  his  best  friends. 


8 


280 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  ALAUDID-ffi.     The  Skylarks. 

First  primary  very  short  ".;•  wan^infr-  'irsi  scutellate  anteriorly  and  posteriorly, 
with  tlic  platts  nearly  nf  corresponding  ^^osition  and  number;  hind  ciaw  very  long 
and  nearly  stnif.ht;  bill  sliort,  conieiil,  frontal  feathers  extending  along  the  side  of 
tlif  bill ;  the  no.^trils  usually  concealed  by  a  tuft  of  bristly  feathers  directed  forwards; 
terlials  greatly  elongated  beyond  the  secondaries. 

EREMOPHILA,  Boie. 

Kremophita,  BoiE,  Isis  (1S28),  322.  (Type  AUiiula  alpeslris.)  Sufficiently  distinct 
from  Ertmojjhilus,  Humboldt  (Fishes,  1805). 

First  primary  wanting;  bill  scarcely  higher  than  broad;  nostrils  circular,  con- 
cealed by  a  dense  tuft  of  feathers ;  the  nasal  fossie  oblique ;  a  pectoral  crescent  and 
cheek  patches  of  black. 


EBEMOPHILA  COBNUTA.  —  £ote. 

The  Skylark;  Shora-lark. 

Eastern  and  Northern  variety, 
Alauda  comuta,  Wilson.    Am.  Cm.,  I.  (1808)  86. 
Eremophih,  comuta,  Boie.    Isis  (1828),  322. 

Alaiula  alpeslris,  Wilson.  Am.  Oru.,  I.  (1808)  85.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  456. 
Aud.  Om.  Biog- ,  II.  (1834)  570;  V.  448. 

DESCnU'TION. 

Above  pinkish-brown,  the  feathers  of  the  back  streaked  with  dusky;  a  bioad 
band  across  the  crown,  extending  backwards  along  the  lateral  tufts;  a  crescentic 
patch  from  the  bill  below  the  eye  and  along  the  side  of  the  head;  a  jugular  crescent, 
and  the  tail  feathers,  black;  the  innermost  of  the  latter  like  the  back;  a  frontal  band 
extending  backwiirds  over  the  eye,  and  under  parts,  with  outer  edge  of  wings  and 
tail,  wliite;  chin  and  throat  yellow. 

Length  of  Pennsylvania  specimens,  seven  and  seventy-five  one-hundred ths 
inches;  wing,  four  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  tail,  three  and  twenty-five  one- 
hundredths  inches;  bill,  above,  fifty-two  one-huiidredtlis  of  an  inch. 

THIS  bird  is  found  in  New  England  only  as  a  winter 
visitor.  It  makes  its  appearance  by  the  latter  part  of 
November,  in  flocks  of  thirty  or  forty,  which  repair  to  the 
salt-marshes,  and  low  pastures  and  fields,  where  they  remain 
during  their  stay  with  us.  Here  they  feed  on  the  seeds  of 
various  grasses  and  weeds,  and  such  insects  as  they  may  be 


THE   SKYLARK. 


281 


able  to  obtain  at  that  inclement  season.  They  often  associate 
with  the  Snow  Buntings,  and  sometimes  make  short  excur- 
^i(jns  inland.  I  have  seen  them  on  the  beach  busily  search- 
ing among  the  seaweed  for  small  shell-fish  and  animalcules ; 
and,  in  country  roads,  have  observed  that  they  visit  tlie  drop 
pings  of  horses  and  cattle  for  the  seeds  contained  in  them. 

By  the  middle  of  March,  the  Shore-larks  leave  New  Eng- 
land for  the  North,  where  they  breed,  and  spend  the  summer. 
Aiidubon  says,  of  their  breeding  habits,  — 

"  The  Shore-lark  breeds  on  the  high  and  desolate  tracts  of 
Liibrador,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sea.  The  face  of  the  country 
iil)iiears  as  if  formed  of  one  undulated  expanse  of  dark  granite, 
covered  v  ith  mosses  and  licliens,  varying  in  size  and  color ;  some 
greeu,  otliers  as  white  as  snow,  and  others  again  of  every  tint,  and 
disposed  in  large  patches  or  tufts.  It  is  on  the  latter  that  the  Lark 
places  her  nest,  whicli  is  disposed  with  so  much  care,  while  the  moss 
so  resembles  the  bird  in  hue,  that,  unless  you  almost  tread  upon  her 
as  she  sits,  she  seems  to  feel  secure,  and  remains  unmoved.  Should 
you,  however,  approach  so  near,  she  flutters  away,  feigning  lameness 
so  cunningly  that  none  but  one  accustomed  to  the  sight  can  refrain 
from  pursuing  her.  The  male  immediately  joins  her  in  mimic 
wretchedness,  uttering  a  note  so  soft  and  plaintive  that  it  requires 
a  strong  stimulation  to  force  the  naturalist  to  rob  the  poor  birds  oi 
their  treasure. 

'•  The  nest,  which  is  embedded  in  the  moss  to  its  edges,  is  com- 
posed of  fine  grasses,  circularly  disposed,  and  forming  a  bed  about 
two  inches  thick,  with  a  lining  of  grouse-feathers  and  those  of  other 
birds.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  the  eggs  are  deposited.  They 
are  four  or  five  in  number,  large,  grayish,  and  covered  with  numer- 
ous pale-blue  and  brown  spots.  The  young  leave  the  nest  be- 
fore they  are  able  to  fly,  and  follow  their  parents  over  the  moss, 
where  they  are  fed  about  a  week.  They  run  nimbly,  emit  a  soft 
prep,  and  squat  closely  at  the  first  appearance  of  danger.  If  ob- 
served and  pursued,  they  open  their  wings  to  aid  them  in  their 
escape,  and,  separating,  make  oflf  with  great  celerity.  On  such 
accasions,  it  is  difficult  to  secure  more  than  one  of  them,  unless 
several  persons  be  present,  when  each  can  pursue  a  bird.     The 


f,;',, 


.''•■3 


>%r» 


u 


282 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


parents,  all  this  time,  are  following  the  enemy  overhead,  lamenting 
the  danger  to  wiiieh  their  young  are  exposed.  In  several  instances, 
the  old  bird  followed  us  almost  to  our  boat,  alighting  occasionally 
on  a  projecting  crag  before  us,  and  entreating  us,  as  it  were,  to 
restore  its  oftspring.  By  the  first  of  August,  many  of  the  young 
are  fully  fledged,  and  the  different  broods  are  seen  associating 
together  to  the  number  of  forty,  fifty,  or  more.  They  now  grad>i- 
aliy  remove  to  the  islands  of  the  coast,  where  they  remain  until 
their  departure,  which  takes  place  in  the  beginning  of  September. 
They  start  at  the  dawn  of  day,  proceed  on  their  way  south  at  a 
small  elevation  above  the  water,  and  fly  in  so  straggHng  a  manner 
that  they  can  scarcely  be  said  to  move  in  flocks." 


A  miuiber  of  eggs  in  my  collection,  from  Wisconsin  and 
Illinois,  where  these  birds  breed  in  considerable  numbers, 
are  of  a  faint  grayish-brown  color,  and  marked  with  numer- 
ous dots  and  spots  of  umber,  of  different  shades,  over  the 
entire  surface  of  the  egg.  On  one  or  two  specimens,  these 
markings  are  confluent  into  coarser  blotches  of  the  two 
shades  of  umber  and  lilac.  The  greatest  dimensions  of  my 
specimens  are  .93  by  .65  inch ;  the  least  dimensions,  .85 
by  .63  inch. 


THE  PINE  GROSBEAK. 


288 


Family  FRINGILLID^.    The  Seed-eaters. 

Primaries  nine ;  bill  very  short,  abruptly  conical  and  robust ;  commissure  strongly 
aogulated  at  base  of  bill ;  tarsi  scutellate  anteriorly,  but  the  sides  with  two  undivided 
plates  meeting  btliind  along  the  median  line,  as  a  sharp  posterior  ridge. 


Sub-Family  CoccOTHRAUSTiN.ffi.  —  The  Finches. 

Wings  very  long  and  much  pointed,  generally  one-third  longer  than  the  more  or 
less  forked  tail;  flrst  quill  usually  nearly  us  long  or  longer  than  the  second;  ter- 
tiuries  but  little  longer,  or  equal  to  tlie  secondaries,  and  always  much  exceeded  by 
the  primaries ;  bill  very  variable  in  shape  and  size,  the  upper  mandible,  however,  as 
broad  as  the  luwer;  nostrils  rather  more  lateral  than  usual,  and  always  more  or  \6?^ 
concealed  by  a  series  of  small  bristly  feathers  applied  along  the  base  of  the  up,.er 
mandible;  no  bristles  at  tlie  base  of  the  bill;  feet  short  and  rather  weak;  hind  claw 
usually  longer  than  the  middle  actcrior  one,  sometimes  nearly  the  same  size. 

PINICOLA,  ViEILLOT. 

Pinicola,  Vieuxot,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  I.  (1807). 

Bill  short,  nearly  as  high  as  long,  upper  outline  much  curved  from  the  base;  i  ua 
margins  of  the  mandibles  rounded ;  the  commissure  gently  concave,  and  abruptly 
deflexed  at  the  tip;  b  ?e  of  the  upper  mandible  much  concealed  by  the  bristly  feath- 
ers covering  the  basal  third ;  tarsus  rather  shorter  than  the  middle  toe ;  lateral  toe 
short,  but  their  long  claws  reach  the  base  of  the  middle  one,  which  is  longer  than 
the  hind  claw ;  wings  moderate,  the  first  quill  rather  shorter  than  the  second,  third, 
and  fourth ;  tail  rather  shorter  than  tlie  wings,  nearly  even. 

But  one  species  of  this  genus  belongs  to  the  American  fauna,  and  is  closely  allied 
to,  if  not  identical  with,  that  belonging  to  the  northern  portions  of  the  Old  World. 


,■   d 


<•  ..    i: 


i:-L 


!"1 


4 


PINICOLA  CANADENSIS — CabanU. 

The  Fine  Grosbeak. 

Pinicola  Canadensis,  Cabanis.    SIus.  Hein.  (1851),  167. 
Loxia  enucleator,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  (1808)  80. 
Pyrrhula  enucleator,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  414. 

Desckiption. 

Bill  and  legs  black;  general  color  carmine-red,  not  continuous  above,  however, 
except  on  the  head ;  the  feathers  showing  brownish  centres  on  the  back,  where,  too, 
the  red  is  darker;  loral  region,  base  of  lower  jaw  all  round,  sides  and  posterior  part 
of  body,  with  under  tail  coverts,  ashy,  whitest  behind;  wing  with  two  white  bands 


2H4 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


iitross  the  tips  of  the  greater  ami  iiiidille  coverts;  the  outer  edges  of  the  quills  also 
white,  broadest  on  the  tertiaries. 

Female,  ashy ;  brownish  above,  tinged  with  greenish-yellow  beneath;  top  of  head, 
rump,  and  upper  tail  coverts  brownish  gamboge-yellow;  wings  as  in  tlie  male. 

I^ength,  about  eight  and  lifty  oue-hundredths  inches;  wing,  four  and  fifty  one- 
hiindredths;  tail,  four  inches. 


A 


LTHOUGH  we  find  in  Vcrrill's  list  of  birds  found  at 
Norway,  Me.,  that  this  species  is  there  a  very  common 
winter  visitor,  my  experience  has  been,  that  it  is  an  "ex- 
tremely rare  one  in  Massachusetts,  and  is  only  found  with 
us  in  very  severe  seasons. 

This  winter  (1866-67),  they  have  been  very  abundant, 
and  good  opportunities  have  been  obtained  for  studying 
their  habits. 

Like  other  northern  .species,  the  Pine  Grosbeak  is  very 
tame  and  familiar  while  hei*e  in  winter.  Mr.  Maynard,  of 
Newtonville,  Mass.,  informs  me,  that  he  has  repeatedly, 
during  this  season,  captured  specimens  in  his  hands,  and 
has  had  no  diificulty  in  slipping  a  noose  over  their  heads,  as 
the  birds  were  employed  in  opening  tlie  puie  seeds,  or  eating 
the  berries  of  the  cedar;  and  he  has  now  iu  captivity  a 
number  of  specimens  that  are  exceedingly  tame  and  inter- 
esthig,  feeding  readily  on  various  seeds  and  fruits.  A  pair 
that  I  have  in  my  possession,  which  he  captured,  are  so 
tame  that  they  take  food  from  my  hand,  and  even  perch 
upon  my  finger.  Their  song  is  a  soft,  pleasing  warble,  not 
unlike  that  of  the  canary. 

Both  sexes  have  a  number  of  call-notes,  and  they  keep  up 
a  continuous  twitter  through  the  day :  they  are  always  lively 
and  good-tempered,  and  are  really  entertaining  pets. 

Mr.  Wheelwright,  in  his  valuable  and  exceedingly  inter- 
esting book,  "  A  Spring  and  Summer  in  Lapland,"  gives 
the  following  account  of  the  habits  of  the  European  Pine 
Grosbeak,  a  bird  nearly  allied  to,  if  not  identical  with,  our 
own :  "  By  the  first  week  in  May,  they  had  paired ;  and  we 
took  our  first  nest  on  June  4,  with  three  eggs,  iu  a  small  fir, 
about  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  on  the  side  of  a  small  fell, 


THE   PURPLE   FINCH. 


28u 


ioinmon 


in  by  no  moans  a  large  wood:  and  I  may  ol)scrvc,  tliat  all 
tin  nests  we  took  were  built  in  small  firs,  never  higb  from  tlie 
ground,  or  in  deep  woods,  and  generally  in  conspicuous  situa- 
tions. The  nest  is  neither  large  nor  deep,  but  very  com- 
pactly and  cleanly  built,  like  basket-work,  the  outside  walling 
of  very  fine  fir  branches  and  thin  cranberry  fibres  tightly 
interlaced,  and  lined  with  fino  stiff  grass  and  a  little  hair. 
The  eggs  vary  much,  both  in  size  and  coloring;  but  aro 
usually  of  a  pale  blue-greeu  ground-color,  blotched  and  lined 
with  light-purple  and  dark  burnt-umber  spots  and  pricks, 
always  thickest  towards  the  large  end.  Average  size,  1  inch 
by  .75  inch." 

The  food  of  the  Grosbeak  is  not,  as  in  the  Crossbills,  from 
the  seed  of  the  fir  cones,  but  the  small  buds  or  embryo  of  the 
young  branches  which  shoot  out  fi'ora  the  lateral  branches 
of  the  fir ;  but  they  can  pick  out  the  seeds  from  the  cones, 
both  of  the  pine  and  fir,  quite  as  cleverly  as  the  Crossbills. 

For  a  very  full  and  interesting  description  of  the  habits 
of  this  species,  I  will  refer  the  reader  to  vol.  IV.  Audubon's 
Am.  Orn.  Biog.,  p.  414. 

CARPODACUS,  Kaup. 

Carpodacus.  Kaup,  "  Entw.  Europ.  Thierw.,  1829."  (Type  Loxia  eri/thrinn,  Pall. ) 
Bill  short,  stout,  vaulted ;  the  culmen  decurved  towards  the  end ;  the  commis- 
sure nearly  straight  to  the  slightly  decurved  end;  a  slight  development  of  bristly 
feathers  along  the  sides  of  the  bill,  concealing  the  nostrils;  tarsus  shorter  than  the 
middle  toe;  lateral  claws  reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  one;  claw  of  hind  toe 
much  curved,  smaller  than  the  middle  one,  and  rather  less  than  the  digital  portirn; 
wings  long  and  pointed,  reaching  to  the  middle  of  the  tail,  which  is  considerably 
shorter  than  the  wing,  and  moderately  forked ;  colors  red,  or  red  and  brown. 


^^H 


""EPODACUS  PUEPUEEUS.  — Gray. 
The  Purple  Finch. 

FringiUa  purpurea,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  ( 1808)  119.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  ( 1831 ) 

24;  V.  200. 

Descrution. 

Second  quill  longest ;  first  shorter  than  third,  considerably  longer  than  the  fourth ; 

body  crimson,  palest  on  the  rump  and  breast,  darkest  across  the  middle  of  back  and 

wing  coverts,  where  the  feathers  have  dusky  centres ;  the  red  extends  below  coiitinu- 


280 


OKSITHOLOOY    AND   OOLOfJY, 


iiuRly  to  the  Iowit  part  of  the  hrcnst,  nnd  in  spots  to  thi;  titiiio;  the  hc]]y  nml  iinilcr  fnil 
coverts  white,  strenl<((l  tiiintly  with  l)rown,  except  in  the  vorj-  middio ;  edges  of  wingo 
and  tiill  featliers  browni.-li-red;  lesser  coverts  lilte  the  bnok;  two  reddish  bands  across 
the  win(;s  (over  tlie  ends  of  tlie  iniiMIe  and  greater  coverts);  lores  dull-^jniyish. 

I'eniule  olivaccoiis-lirown,  l)rinhler  <.n  the  rump;  beneath  white;  all  tlic  feathers 
cvcrj'where  streaked  with  lirown,  except,  on  the  middl<)  of  the  belly  and  under  coverts, 
a  superciliary  lifrht  stripe. 

Length,  six  nnd  twi  nty-five  one-hundrcdths  inches;  wing,  three  and  thirty-foui 
pne-hundredths;  tail,  two  and  titty  one -hundredths;  bill,  above,  forty-six  one-hun- 
drcdths o''  an  inch. 


Tills  species,  although  quite  common  in  many  localities 
of  Now  England,  is  very  irregularly  distributed.  For  in- 
stance, it  breeds  abundantly  in  and  near  Cambridge,  Mass., 
but  is  not  found  in  any  other  part  of  the  State  in  any  thing 
like  the  abundance  that  it  is  there.  In  that  locality,  it  is 
one  of  the  most  common  birds  breeding ;  in  other  localities,  it 
is  occasionally  found  in  only  detached  pairs.  So,  in  Maine, 
it  is  common  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Umbagog  lakes ;  but 
elsewhere  it  is  not  often  seen.  There  seems  to  be,  as  Mr. 
Allen  justly  remarks,  a  great  increase  of  this  species  within 
the  last  few  years ;  and  it  is  beginning  to  be  one  of  our  most 
common  species.  The  birds  separate  into  pairs  soon  after 
their  arrival,  about  the  middle  of  April,  but  do  not  com- 
mence building  before  the  middle  of  May.  They  arc  occa- 
sionally resident  here  through  the  mild  winter ;  but,  as  a 
general  thing,  they  arrive  in  New  England  in  flocks  of  ten 
or  a  dozen  about  the  last  of  March.  The  nest  is  usually 
built  in  a  pine  or  cedar  tree,  and  is  sometimes  thirty  or  even 
forty  feet  from  the  ground, — oftener  about  fifteen  or  twenty. 
It  is  constructed  of  fine  roots  and  grasses,  and  is  lined  with 
horsehair  and  hogs'  bristles.  One  specimen  in  my  collection 
has  the  cast-ofF  skin  of  a  snake  woven  in  the  rest  of  the 
fabric ;  and  I  have  seen  nests  lined  with  mosses.  Generally, 
hairs  of  different  animals  form  the  lining,  and  roots  and 
grass  the  main  structure. 

The  eggs  are  of  a  beautiful  bluish-green  color,  and  marked 
with  spots  and  streaks  of  black :  their  form  is  a  sharply 
pointed  oval,  and  their  dimensions  vary  from  .94  by  .64  inch 


THE   PURI'LK    FINCn. 


•J«7 


to  .88  by  .60  iiicli.     Two  broods  are  ofton  reared  in  tlio 
eeasoii. 

This  species  is  one  of  tho  few  injurious  birds  tliat  wo  have  ; 
aud,  altliougli  it  has  a  beautiful  warbling  song,  an.l  is  alto- 
gether a  fine-loo]<ing  bird,  it  is  niucli  dislilced  in  tho  country 
in  consequence  of  its  bad  habit  of  cutting  off  and  eating 
the  buds  and  blossoms  of  fruit-trees.  Wilson  says  of  this 
habit,  — 

"  Tills  is  a  winter  bird  of  passage,  coming  to  us  in  large  flocka 
from  the  North,  in  September  and  October ;  groat  numbers  remain- 
ing with  us  in  Pennsylvania  during  the  whole  winter,  feeding  on 
tlie  seeds  of  the  poplar,  button-wood,  juniper,  cedar,  and  on  those 
of  many  rank  weeds  that  flourish  in  rich  bottoms  and  along  the 
margin  of  creeks.  When  the  season  is  very  severe,  they  proceed 
to  the  South,  as  far  at  least  as  Georgia,  returning  North  early  in 
Aprih  Tliey  now  frequent  the  elm-trees,  feeding  on  the  slender 
but  sweet  covering  of  the  flowers ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  clierries  put 
out  their  blossoms,  feed  almost  exclusively  on  the  stamina  of  tlie 
flowers:  afterwards,  the  apple-blossoms  are  attacked  in  the  same 
manner ;  and  their  depredations  on  these  continue  till  they  disap- 
pear, which  is  usually  about  the  10th  or  middle  of  May.  I  have 
been  told  that  tliey  sometimes  breed  in  the  northern  parts  of  New 
York,  but  have  never  met  with  their  nests.  About  the  middle  of 
September,  I  found  these  birds  numerous  on  Long  Island,  and 
around  Newark  in  New  Jersey.  They  fly  at  a  considerable  height 
in  the  air ;  and  their  note  is  a  single  chink.,  like  that  of  the  Rice- 
bird.  Tliey  possess  great  boldness  and  spirit,  and,  when  caught, 
bite  violently,  and  hang  by  the  bill  from  your  hand,  striking  with 
great  fury ;  but  they  are  soon  reconciled  to  confinement,  and  in  a 
day  or  two  are  quite  at  home.  I  have  kept  a  pair  of  these  birds 
upwards  of  nine  months  to  observe  their  manners.  One  was  caught 
in  a  trap,  the  other  was  winged  with  the  gun :  both  are  now  as 
familiar  as  if  brought  up  from  the  nest  by  the  hand,  and  seem  to 
prefer  hemp-seed  and  cherry-blossoms  to  all  other  kinds  of  food. 
Both  male  and  female,  though  not  crested,  are  almost  constantly 
in  the  'abit  of  erecting  the  feathers  of  tlie  crown.  They  appear  to 
be  of  a  tyrannical  and  domineering  disposition :    for  they  nearly 


1    ! 


288 


OUNITUOLO(iY   AND   OOLO(;V. 


killiiil  an  Tii(l!!.'o-1iin1,  nnd  two  or  throe  otiiors,  tlmt  were  occasion- 
nlly  [iliiced  with  thorn,  driving  tlicin  into  ii  corner  of  the  cnjfo. 
Btiuifling  on  thoni.  nnd  tearing  out  their  fonthors,  striking  them  on 
the  head,  ninnching  their  wings,  &c.,  till  I  was  obliged  to  intorfere; 
nnd,  even  if  called  to.  the  aggressor  would  only  turn  up  a  malicious 
ey(i  to  me  for  a  moment,  and  renew  his  outrage  as  before.  They  aiM 
a  hardy,  vigorous  bird.  In  the  month  of  October,  about  the  time 
of  their  first  arrival.  I  shot  a  male,  rich  in  plumage,  and  plump  in 
flesh,  but  which  wanted  one  leg,  that  had  been  taken  off  a  little 
above  the  knee:  the  wound  had  healed  so  completely,  and  was 
covered  with  so  thick  a  skin,  that  it  seemeii  as  though  it  had  been 
so  for  years.  Whether  this  mutilation  was  occasioned  by  a  shot,  or 
in  party  quarrels  of  its  own,  I  could  not  determine :  but  our  invalid 
seemed  to  have  used  his  stump  either  in  hopping  or  resting;  for  it 
had  all  the  appearance  of  having  been  brought  in  frequent  contact 
with  bodies  harder  than  itself." 


CHRYSOMITRIS,  Boie. 

Chrymmitns,  BoiK,  Isis  (1828),  822.  (Typo  Fringilh  »pinus,  Linnirus.) 
Bill  rather  acutely  conic,  the  tip  not  very  shnrp;  the  culmen  slightly  convex  at 
the  tip;  the  commissure  gently  curved;  nostrils  concealed;  obsolete  rid ges  on  the 
upper  mandible;  tarsi  shorter  than  the  middle  toe;  outer  toe  rather  the  longer, 
reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  one ;  claw  of  hind  toe  shorter  than  the  digital 
portion;  wings  and  tail  as  in  Atgiothus. 

The  colors  arc  generally  yellow,  with  black  on  the  crown,  throat,  back,  wings, 
and  tail,  varied  sometimes  with  white. 


CHETSOMITEIS   TRISTIS.  —  JSonoparrt. 
The  Tellow-bird;  Thistle-bird. 

Fringilla  tristtv,  Linnseus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  320.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  I.  (1808)  20. 
And.  Om.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  172;  V.  610. 

Description. 

Bright  gamboge-yellow;  crown,  wings,  and  tail,  black;  lesser  wing  coverts, 
band  across  the  end  of  greater  ones,  ends  of  secondaries  and  tertiarica,  inner  mar- 
gins of  tail  feathers,  upper  and  under  tail  coverts,  and  tibia,  white.  Female  re- 
placing the  yellow  of  the  male  by  a  greenish-olive  color. 

Length,  five  and  twenty-five  onc-hundredths  inches ;  wing,  three  inches. 

This  well-known  bird  is  a  very  common  summer  inhab- 
itant of  all  New  England,  and  in  the  southern  districts 


Tin;    YKLI.OW-IIIUD. 


280 


remains  tlirougli  the  ycivr.  Xotwithstaiidin^i;  its  luMiifj  hero 
tlirou<fli  the  early  spring,  it  does  not  Ix^gin  to  liuild  hcfore 
tlic  middle  of  Jiiiic  Tlio  oiirliost  iiost  that  I  ever  heard  of 
WHS  found  June  tlie  lOtli,  and  very  few  are  found  as  curly 
as  the  middle  of  that  month.  The  neat  is  usually  placed  in 
a  forked  In-anch  in  an  applc-trec  in  the  orchard,  sometimes 
in  a  maple  or  birch  tree  near  the  roadside.  It  is  constructed 
of  soft  strips  of  the  cedar  and  jrrapo-vin(!  itark:  these  are 
very  neatly  woven  together  into  a  compact  structure,  which 
is  deeply  hollowed,  and  lined  with  soft  down  from  tho 
thistle,  and  sometimes  a  few  feathers.  Tho  eggs  are 
usually  four  in  number :  their  form  is  generally  oval, 
and  their  color  a  bluish-white.  Dimensions  vary  fiom  .<!8 
by  .53  inch  to  .02  by  .50  inch.  But  one  brood  is  reared  in 
the  summer. 

Tho  habits  of  this  bird  arc  so  well  known  that  I  will  not 
give  tliem  an  extended  notice  here.  It  seems  to  be  a  per- 
sistently gregarious  species :  for,  even  in  the  breeding 
season,  several  families  are  usually  found  in  one  neighbor- 
hood ;  and  th.e  males  often  assemble  together,  and  pass  the 
time  in  collecting  food,  trimming  their  feathers,  and  bath- 
ing. In  fact,  this  bird  seems  to  be  more  of  a  dandy,  and 
consequently  less  of  a  family  man,  than  most  of  our  other 
species  ;  and  I  have  noticed  that  ho  leaves  the  greater  part 
of  the  burd  3n  of  the  family  cares  upon  tlie  shoiilders  of  his 
attentive  mate. 

When  the  season  of  incubation  has  passed,  the  birds 
assemble  in  flocks  of  from  ten  to  twenty  or  thirty  in  num- 
ber, and  frequent  the  gardens  and  stubble-fields,  where  they 
subsist  upon  the  seeds  of  various  weeds  and  grasses.  They 
have  a  short  note  like  die  weee,  which  is  uttered  often, 
sometimes  in  a  drawling,  plaintive  key,  and  at  other  times 
in  a  brisk,  cheerful  tone.  Tlieir  flight  is  undulating  and 
irregular,  and  resembles  very  much  that  of  the  Wood- 
peckers. When  on  the  wing,  they  have  a  short,  simple 
chatter,  like  ^ohe  'chS  *che  'che,  uttered  rapidly,  and  with 

19 


0( 


\){) 


OIlNIillOI.OCY    AND    OOLOCV. 


(Miipliasis  Oil  till)  socoml  sylliihlo.  Occasionally,  tlio  malo 
umitrt  a  coiitimiiMl  waililiii^  sonjr,  vnry  siiniiiir  to  that  of  tliu 
Canary-I»ii'l ;  iiiul  I  linvo  luianl  out!  of  tliirt  s|i(hmcs  Hiiijr  in 
coiifiiHMiiciit  almost  as  sweetly  and  oftoii  uh  its  luoro  familiar 
and  domesticated  nilativo. 

CHRYSOMITBIS   Pl^VS.— lionnpnrte. 
The  Pine  Fineh. 
/Viw.(/i7Ai/)im«,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  II.  (1810)  183.    Aud.  Om.  niog.,  11.  ;i33«) 

Cliryiiomilfiijnnut,  ISonaparte.    Coinp.  (1880),  616. 

DKSCnilTION. 

'I'liil  (Ippply  fbrked;  above  brownish-olive;  beneath  whltinh,  every  feather 
utrenkcd  diKtinotly  willi  dusky;  cnncealcd  bases  of  tail  feathers  and  quills,  together 
with  llieir  inner  cd^es,  sulphur-yellow;  outer  edfjea  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  yel- 
lowish-(,'recn;  two  brownish-white  bands  on  the  wing. 

I.enjith,  four  and  sevonty-fivo  one-hundredtbs  inches;  wing,  thren  inches;  tail, 
two  iiriil  twenty  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  bird  is  found  in  Now  England,  usually  as  a  winter 
visitor.  While  hero,  it  has  all  the  habits  of  the  preceding 
species,  and  might,  at  a  little  distance,  be  mistaken  for  that 
bird.  The  Pine  Finch,  as  its  name  implies,  prefers  the 
groves  and  forests  of  pines  to  other  trees ;  and  it  is  found  in 
all  our  pine  woods  in  flocks  of  twenty  or  thirty,  where  it 
feeds  on  the  seeds  contained  in  the  cones  on  these  trees. 
It  has  been  known  to  breed  in  Cambridge,  in  this  State  ;  and 
breeds  regularly  in  the  northern  sections  of  New  England. 


CURVmOSTRA,  ScopoLi. 

Loxia,  I.1NN.F.U8,  Syst.  Nat.,  1758.  (Type  Loxia  curviroitra,  L.  Not  of  173r), 
which  has  for  type  Lnxia  coccnthrnu»tes,  L.) 

Cuirirostra .  Scorou,  1777.    (Type  L.  curvirottra.) 

Mandibles  much  elongated,  compressed,  and  attenuated;  greatly  curved  or 
falcate,  the  points  crossing  or  overlapping  to  a  {,Teater  or  less  degree;  tarsi  very 
short;  claws  all  very  long,  the  lateral  extending  beyond  the  middle  of  the  central; 
hind  claw  longer  than  its  digit;  wings  very  long  and  pointed,  reaching  beyond  the 
middle  of  the  narrow,  forked  tail. 

Colors  reddish  in  the  male. 


Till".    HKl)   CIIOSSIIILL. 


•J!)l 


Ttio  eli>nifati>(l,  r(.inprc«^i'<!,  ('iiliiito-cim-i'il,  nti't  nvcrlnppiiiff  m.ui  lililc*  rrailily 
fliiinirterizii  tliin  nciiin  iimoiitj  liinU. 

The  IJnlti'd-Stntfn  !<pi'ri('s  nf  Cun-ifKHtrn  urn  ri'iidily  i1i<liiit;iii«lii'il  by  llu'  pr«» 
»nco  of  white  lmnil'<  mi  the  win;;  in  l,fuf'>plfrn  mid  tlnir  nlwiiro  i!i  Amrrininn. 


1*  , 


rot  of  173% 


COEVIROSTRA   AMERICANA.  -  WiUon. 

Tb)  Red  Crossbill. 

Curvirottrn  Ameiicnnn,  Wllsiui.     Am.  Orn.,  IV.  (ISlt)  41. 
Loann  cuvvimttm.    And.  Bio^.,  11.  (lR;i4)  3.W;  V.  611. 

DRSnilPTlON. 

Male  dull-rod;  darki'fit  acroHs  the  linck;  wlnK»  mid  tiiil  dark  l(lnikinh-l)n>wn. 

Femnln  ilull  (^rccnish-dlivo  nbnvc,  each  fcutlii^r  with  a  dii'<ky  centre;  rump  and 
crown  hri^jlit  ffrcciiisli-ycllow;  lii'iicnth  ^rnyisli;  finf^cd,  especially  on  the  sides  of 
the  hody,  with  ^'reeiiish-yellow;   younf?  entirely  lirown ;    p.nler  beneath. 

'I'lie  iimiiiitiire  and  youiijj  birds  exhibit  all  imafjiiiahle  coniliiimtionn  of  the  colon 
1)1'  the  male  and  female.  They  all  agree  in  the  entire  absence  of  white  bands  on 
tlie  wings. 

Male  about  six  inches;  wing,  three  and  thirty  one-hundrcdths  Inches ;  mil,  two 
and  tweiity-nve  one-hiindrcdthH  inches. 

This  bird  is  very  irrejTiilarly  di.stribntcrl  in  New  Eiip- 
laud,  usually  as  a  winter  visitor.  Sonictiincs  it  is  quite 
rare  at  that  season  iu  all  sotUioiis ;  and  occasionally  it 
is  very  abundant.  It  also  occurs  liore  during  the  sum- 
mer, breeding  regularly  in  the  pine  and  hemlock  forests  of 
the  northern  sections.  Wilson  says  of  the  habits  of  this 
bird,  — 

'•  On  first  glancing  at  the  bill  of  this  extraordinary  bird,  one  is 
apt  to  pronounce  it  deformed  and  monstrons  :  but  on  attentively 
observing  the  use  to  which  it  is  applied  by  the  owner,  and  the  dex- 
terity with  which  he  detaches  the  seeds  of  the  pine-tree  from  the 
cone,  and  from  the  husks  that  enclose  them,  we  are  obliged  to  con- 
fess, on  this,  as  on  many  other  occasions  where  we  have  judged 
too  hastily  of  the  operations  of  nature,  that  no  other  conformation 
could  have  been  so  excellently  adapted  to  the  purpose  ;  and  that 
its  deviation  from  the  common  form,  instead  of  being  a  defect  or 
monstrosity,  as  the  celebrated  French  naturalist  insinuates,  is  a 
striking  proof  of  the  wisdom  and  kind  superintending  care  of  the 
great  Creator. 


■;:  ».. 


»:T» 


!  i 


R 


■MMIkMBEMhm  ■rttr>4Ml  .-MiHf 


292 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


"  This  species  is  a  regular  inhabitant  of  almost  all  onr  pine 
forests  sitnatcd  nnrtli  of  40°,  from  the  beginning  of  September  to 
the  miilille  of  April.  It  is  not  imp  bable  that  some  of  them  re- 
main dnring  the  summer  witliin  thi;  territory  of  the  United  States 
to  breed.  Tlieir  numbers  must,  howeve",  be  comparaJ\'ely  few,  as 
I  have  iiLVcr  yet  met  with  any  o^  them  in  summer,  tliough  lately 
I  took  a  journey  to  the  Great  Pine  Swamp  beyond  PoCano  jNIoun- 
tain,  in  Northampton  County,  Pa.,  in  the  month  of  May,  expressly 
for  that  purpose ;  and  ransacked,  for  pix  or  seven  days,  the 
gloomy  recesses  of  that  extensive  and  desolate  morass,  without 
lieing  able  to  discover  a  single  Crossbill.  In  fall,  however,  as 
v/ell  as  in  winter  and  spring,  thi.'.  .ract  appears  to  be  their  favorite 
rendezvous ;  particularly  about  the  head  waters  of  the  Lehigh,  the 
banks  of  the  Tobyhanna,  Tunkliannock,  and  Bear  Creek,  wliere  I 
have  myself  killed  them  at  tiiese  seasons.  They  then  ajtpear  in 
large  flocks,  feeding  on  the  seeds  of  the  hemlock  and  white-pine; 
have  a  loud,  sharp,  and  not  u.imusical  note ;  chatter  as  they  fly ; 
aligbt,  during  the  prevalence  of  deep  snows,  before  the  door  of  the 
hunter,  and  around  the  house,  picking  off  the  clay  with  which 
the  logs  are  plastereu,  and  searching  in  corners  where  urine,  or  any 
substjuice  of  a  saline  quality,  had  been  thrown.  At  such  times, 
they  are  so  tame  as  only  to  settle  on  the  roof  of  the  cabin  when 
disturbed,  and,  a  moment  after,  descend  to  feed  as  before.  They 
are  then  easily  caught  in  traps,  and  will  frequently  permit  one  to 
ai)proach  so  near  as  to  knock  them  down  with  a  stick.  Those 
killed  and  opened  at  such  times  ar(;  generally  found  to  have  the 
stomach  filled  with  a  soft,  greasy  kind  of  earth  or  clay.  When 
kept  in  a  cage,  they  have  many  of  the  habits  of  the  Parrot ;  often 
climbing  along  the  v/ires,  and  using  their  feet  to  grasp  the  cones  in, 
while  takin<r  out  the  seeds." 


Nuttiill  pnys  of  its  brooding  habits, — 

"  They  often  breed  in  winter  in  more  temperate  countries,  as  in 
January  and  February;  and  the  young  fly  in  March,  'ihe  nest 
is  said  to  be  fixed  in  the  forks  of  fir-trees ;  and  the  eggs,  four  or 
five,  are  of  a  greenish-gray,  with  a  circle  of  reddish-brown  spots, 
points,  and  lines,  disposed  chiefly  at  the  larger  end  :  the  lines  also 
often  extend  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  egg." 


THE   WHITE-WINGED   CROSSBILL. 


•293 


CUEVIROSTBA  LEUCOPTEEA.- IFiiion. 

TLe  White-winged  Crossbill. 

Litna  leucnptera,  Audubon.     Orn.  Biiig.,  IV.  (18;i8)  467. 
Curviroatra  kucoptera,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn.,  IV.  (1811)  48. 

Deschution. 

Uill  greatly  compressed,  and  acute  towards  the  point;  male  carmine-red,  tingi  I 
with  dusky  across  the  back;  the  sides  of  body  under  the  wings  streaked  with 
brown;  froa>  the  middle  of  belly  to  the  tail  coverts  whitish,  the  latter  strcakcil 
with  brown;  scapulars,  wings,  and  tail,  black;  the  broad  bands  on  the  wings 
across  the  ends  of  greater  and  median  coverts;  white  spot.s  on  the  end  of  tlie  inner 
tcrtiaries. 

Female  brownish,  tinged  with  olive-green  in  places;  feathers  of  the  back  and 
crowu  with  dusky  centres;  rump  bright  brownish-yellow. 

Length,  about  six  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  filly 
one-huudredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  sixty  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  beautiful  bird  seems  to 
be  much  less  frequent  in  its 
winter  visits  to  New  England 
than  the  preceding.  It  has  all 
the  general  characteristics  of 
that  bird.  In  May,  in  tlic  Hud- 
son's Bay  country,  according 
to  Mr.  Hutchins,  it  builds  its 
nest  in  a  pine-tree.  This  is 
constructed  of  grass,  mud,  and 
leathers,  and  is  lined  witli  moss 
and  other  soft  materials.  The 
female  lays  five  white  eggs, 
marked  with  yellowish  spots. 


'  ;;;'^ 


I-  4! 

i  , 


iEGIOTHUS,  CABANI8. 

^(/iothus,  Caha.nis,  Mus.  llein.,  1851,  161.  (Type  Fringilla  linaria,  Linn.) 
Bill  very  short,  conical,'  and  acutely  pointed,  the  outlines  even  concave;  the 
commissure  straight;  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  and  the  nostrils  concealed  by 
*tifr,  appressed  bristly  feathers;  middle  of  the  mandible  having  several  ridges 
parallel  with  the  culmen ;  inner  lateral  toe  rather  the  longer,  its  claw  reaching  the 
middle  of  the  middle  cliiw;  the  hind  toe  rather  longer,  its  claw  longer  than  the  digi- 
tal portion ;  wings  very  long,  reaching  the  middle  of  the  tail  j  second  quill  a  little 
longer  than  the  first  and  third;  tail  deeply  forlied. 


294 


OUMTIlOLOCiY   AND   OOLOCiV. 


aiGIOTHUS   LINAEIA.  —  Oiiimis. 

The  Lesser  Redpoll. 

Fiiuf/illd  limiia,  Linuitus.     Sytt.  Xat.,  I.  (17CG)  822.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IV 
J8S)  533. 
/llyivtlius  linavia,  Cubouis.    Mus.  HeiD.  (1851),  161. 

Desciuption. 

Above  ligiit-yolldwipb,  each  feather  streaked  with  dark-brown;  crown  datk- 
iTimsoii;  upper  part  ol' breast  and  sides  of  the  body  tinged  with  a  lighter  tint  of  the 
tiume;  flie  rump  uiid  under  tail  coverts  also  similar,  but  still  less  vivid,  and  with 
dusky  streaks;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  streaked  on  the  sides  with  brown;  loral 
region  and  chin  dusky;  cheeks  (brightest  over  the  eye),  and  a  narrow  front, 
whitish  ;  wii'g  leathers  edged  externally,  and  tail  feathers  all  round  with  wliite;  two 
yellowish-white  bands  across  the  wing  coverts;  secondaries  and  tertiaries  edged 
broadly  with  the  same;  bill  yellowish,  tinged  with  brown  on  the  culmen  and 
gonvs;   the  basal  bristles  brown,  reaching  over  half  the  bill. 

The  specimen  described  above  is  a  male  in  winter  dress.  The  spring  plumage 
has  much  more  of  the  red.  The  female  winter  specimens  lack  the  rose  of  the 
under  parts  and  rump;  the  breast  is  streaked  across  with  dusky. 

Length,  five  and  tifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  ten  one-hundredths 
inches;  tail,  two  and  seventy  one-huudredths  inches. 


This  species  is  a  pretty  common  winter  visitor  in  all  parts 
of  New  England.  It  congregates  in  large  flocks,  which 
frequent  old  fields  and  pastiwes  and  stvibble-liclds,  and  feed 
on  the  seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses.  It  has,  while  with  us, 
the  note  and  general  habits  of  the  Goldfinch  and  Pine 
Pinch,  and  might  easily,  at  a  little  distance,  be  mistaken  for 
those  birds.  Tliey  seem  fond  of  the  seeds  of  the  white 
birch ;  and  they  cluster  so  thick  on  a  branch  of  tliis  tree, 
wliile  securing  the  seeds,  that  I  have  killed  as  many  as  a 
dozen  at  a  shot.  Mr.  Selby's  account  of  the  nest  and  eggs 
is  as  follows  :  — 

"  It  is  only  known  in  the  southern  parts  of  Britain  as  a  winter 
visitant ;  ami  is  at  that  period  gregarious,  and  frequently  taken,  in 
company  with  the  otlier  sj)ccies,  by  tlie  bird-catchers,  by  whom  it  is 
called  the  Stone  Redpoll.  In  the  northern  counties  of  England, 
and  in  Scotland  and  its  isles,  it  is  resident  through  the  year.  It 
retires,  during  the  summer,  to  the  underwood  that  covers  the  bases 
of  many  of  our  mountains  and  hills,  and  that  often  fringes   the 


THE   MEALY   REDPOLL. 


2% 


e-liundredths 


banks  of  their  precipitous  streams ;  iu  which  sequestered  siiuii- 
tioiis  it  breeds.  The  uesc  is  built  in  a.  bush  or  low  tree  (such  as 
willow,  alder,  or  hazel),  of  moss  and  the  stalks  of  dry  grass,  inter- 
mixed with  down  from  the  catkin  of  the  willow,  which  also  forms 
the  lining,  and  renders  it  a  particularly  soft  and  warm  receptacle 
for  the  eggs  and  young.  From  this  substance  being  a  constant 
material  of  the  nest,  it  follows  that  the  young  are  produced  late 
in  the  season,  and  are  seldom  able  to  fly  before  the  end  of  June  or 
the  beginning  of  July.  The  eggs  are  four  or  five  iu  number  :  their 
color  pale  bluish-green,  spotted  with  orange-brown,  principally 
towards  the  larger  eud.  In  winter,  the  Lesser  Redpoll  descends  to 
the  lower  grounds  iu  considerable  flocks ;  frequenting  woods  and 
plantations,  more  especially  such  as  abound  in  birch  or  alder  trees, 
the  catkins  of  which  yield  it  a  plentiful  supply  of  food.  When 
feeding,  its  motion  affords  both  interest  and  amusement ;  since,  in 
order  to  reach  the  catkins,  which  generally  grow  near  the  extremi- 
ties of  the  smaller  branches,  it  is  obliged,  like  the  Titmouse,  to 
hang  with  its  back  downwards,  and  assume  a  variety  of  constrained 
attitudes :  and,  when  thus  engaged,  it  is  so  intent  upon  its  work,  as 
frequently  to  allow  itself  to  be  taken  by  a  long  stick  smeared  with 
bird-lime ;  in  which  way  I  have  occasionally  captured  it  when  in 
want  of  s[)ecimens  for  examination.  It  also  eats  the  buds  of  trees, 
and  (when  in  flocks)  proves  iu  this  way  seriously  injurious  to 
young  plantations.  Its  call-note  is  very  frequently  rei)eated  when 
on  wing,  and  by  this  it  may  be  always  distinguished  from  the  other 
species.  The  uotes  it  produces  during  the  pairing  season,  although 
few,  and  not  delivered  iu  continuous  song,  are  sweet  and  pleasing." 


:in 


:'      hi* 


aiGIOTHUS  CANESCENS.  —  Ciiani*. 
The  Mealy  Bedpoll. 

JEgiothicg  cane»certs,  Cabanis.    Miis.  Hein.  (1851),  161. 
1  Fnngilla  boi-eiilis,  Audu'uon.    Orn.  Biog.,  V.  (1839)  87. 

Desckii'tion. 

Size  laree;  bill  short;  claws  elongated;  rump  white,  (in  the  spring,  male  tinged 
with  rose),  r"v('r  stroalied;  the  quills  broadly  margined  with  white. 
Length,  ciix  inches;  tail,  three  and  seventeen  one-huiulredrLs. 

This  bird  occurs  only  as  an  exoeediiif^ly  rare  winter  visi- 
tor in  New  England.     I  have  never  met  with  it  myself,  but 


296 


OUNITIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Mr.  Verrill  says  that  it  is  found  rarely  in  Maine.  It  is  con- 
sidered by  some  ornithologists  as  identical  with  the  pre- 
ceding. 

PLKCTROPHANES,  Meyer. 

Plectrophanes,  Meyeh,  Taschenbuch  (1810).  Agassiz.  (Type  Emberiza  nivalii.) 
Dill  variable,  conical,  the  lower  mandible  higher  than  the  upper;  the  sides  of 
both  mandibles  (in  the  typical  species)  guarded  by  a  closely  applied  brush  of  stiffened 
bristly  feathers  directed  forwards,  and  in  the  upper  Jaw  concealing  the  nostrils;  the 
outlines  of  the  bill  nearly  straight,  or  sli-'Uly  curved;  the  lower  jaw  considerably 
broader  at  the  base  than  the  upper,  and  .  er  than  the  gonys  is  long;  tarsi  consid- 
ably  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  the  U  eral  toes  nearly  equal  (the  inner  claw 
largest),  and  reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  claw;  the  hinder  claw  very  long; 
niodenitely  curved  and  acute;  considerably  longer  than  its  toe;  the  toe  and  claw 
together  reaching  to  the  middle  of  the  middle  claw,  or  beyond  its  tip;  wings  very 
long  and  much  pointed,  reaching  nearly  to  the  end  of  the  tail;  the  first  quill  longest, 
the  others  rapidly  graduated;  the  tertiaries  a  little  longer  than  the  secondaries;  tail 
liuiderate,  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  wings;  nearly  even,  or  slightly  emargi- 
nated. 

PLECTROPHANES  NIVALIS.  —  A/<iiier. 


Wils.  Am.  Ora.,  III. 


The  Snow  Bunting. 

Emberiza  nivalif,  Linnaeus.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  308. 
(1811)  86;  Aud.  Orn.  Uiog.,  II.  (1834)  515;  V.  (1839)  496. 
'■•  PkctrophiiHcs  nivalis,  Meyer."     Bon.  List  (1838). 

Description. 

Colors,  in  full  plumage,  entirely  black  and  white ;  middle  of  back  between  scapu- 
lars, terminal  half  of  prnnarics  and  tcr  ties,  and  two  innermost  tail  feathers,  black ; 
elsewhere  pure-white;  legs  black  at  all  seasons.  In  winter  dress  white  t-.aeath; 
the  head  and  rump  yollowish-brown,  as  also  some  blotches  on  the  side  of  the  breast; 
middle  of  back  brown,  streaked  with  black ;  white  on  wings  and  tail  much  more 
restricted. 

This  species  varies  much  in  color;  and  the  male  in  full  plumage  is  seldom,  if  ever, 
seen  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 

Length,  about  six  and  seventy-five  one-hundredtbs  inches ;  wing,  four  and  thirty- 
tive  one-hundredt".is ;  tail,  three  and  five  one-hundredths  inches;  first  quill  longest. 


This  is  a  very  common  winter  visitor  in  all  parts  of  Now 
England,  but  is  most  abundant  in  localities  near  the  soa- 
coast.  I  have  seen  flocks  of  hundreds  of  individuals  in  the 
marshes  in  Plymouth  County,  Mass.,  and  have  almost 
always  noticed  that  they  were  accompanied  by  Shore-larks 
and  Redpolls.     They  feed  on  seeds  of  various  wild  plants 


THE   SNOW   BUNTING. 


297 


and  small  shell-fish,  and  become,  during  their  stay  hero, 
very  fat,  and  are  accounted  as  delicato  oatii.g  by  epicures, 
for  whose  tables  they  are  killed  in  great  numbers. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  habits  of  tliis 
species  is  b^  Wilson.  It  is  partly  compiled  from  the  observu- 
tious  of  Mr.  Peimant :  — 

"These  birds,"  says  Mr.  Peunant,  "inhabit,  not  only  Greenland, 
but  even  the  dreadful  climate  of  Spitzbergen  wliere  vegetation  is 
nearly  extinct,  and  scarcely  any  but  „^^  .        _ 

ci'yptoyamous  plants  are  found.  It 
tlierefore  excites  wonder,  how  birds 
which  are  graminivorous  in  every 
other  than  those  frost-bound  regions 
subs'  .,,  yet  are  there  found  in  great 
Hocks,  both  on  the  laud  and  ice  of 
Spitzbergen.  They  annually  pass 
to  this  country  by  way  of  Norway ; 
for,  in  the  spring,  flocks  innumer- 
able appear,  especially  on  the  Nor- 
wegian isles,  continue  only  three 
weeks,  and  then  at  once  disappear. 
As  they  do  not  breed  in  Hudson's 
Bay,  it  is  certain  that  many  retreat 
to  this  last  of  lands,  and  totally  uninhabited.,  to  perform,  in  full 
security;  the  duties  of  love,  incubation,  and  nutrition.  That  they 
breed  in  Spitzbergen  is  very  probable ;  but  we  are  assured  that 
they  do  so  in  Greenland.  They  arrive  there  in  April,  and  make 
their  nests  in  the  fissures  of  the  rocks  on  the  mountains  in  May : 
the  outside  of  their  nest  is  grass,  the  middle  of  feathers,  and  the 
lining  the  down  of  thii  arctic  fox.  They  lay  five  eggs,  —  white, 
spotted  with  brown :  they  oing  finely  near  their  nest. 

"  They  arc  caught  by  the  boys  in  autumn,  when  they  collect 
near  the  shores  in  great  flocks,  in  order  to  migrate,  and  are  eaten 
dried. 

"  In  Europe,  they  inhabit,  during  summer,  the  most  naked  Lap- 
land alps  ;  and  descend  in  rigorous  seasons  into  Sweden,  and  fill  the 
roads  and  fields,  —  on  which  account  the  Dalecarlians  call  them 


'•>'*! 


hT 


mmmmr-m.jimu 


208 


OUNITUOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


lllwarsfogel,  or  bad-wtjatlicr  binis ;  tlio  Upluiidcis,  Jlurdwui $• 
fixjeU  exjjresoive  of  tlio  sauie.  Tho  Lupluiulurs  atyle  them  Alaipg. 
Lcoms  rciiiiirks,  I  know  not  with  what  fouiidaliou,  that  they  fatten 
on  the  flowing  of  the  tides  in  Finmark,  aud  grow  lean  on  the  ebb. 
The  Laphiiiders  take  theiu  in  great  numbers  in  hair  springs,  for  the 
tables ;  their  fh^sh  being  vory  delicate. 

"  They  seem  to  make  the  countries  within  the  whole  arctic  circle 
their  summer  residence,  from  whence  they  overflow  the  more  south- 
ern countries  in  amazing  multitudes  at  the  settiug-iu  of  winter  in 
the  frigid  zone.  In  the  winter  of  1778-71),  they  came  in  such  mul- 
titudes into  Birsa,  one  of  the  Orkney  Islands,  as  to  cover  tlie  whole 
barony ;  yet,  of  all  the  numbers,  hardly  two  agreed  in  colors. 

"  Lapland,  and  perhaps  Iceland,  furnishes  the  north  of  Britain 
with  the  swarms  that  frequent  these  parts  during  whiter,  as  low 
as  the  Cheviot  Hills,  in  latitude  52^3"J';  their  resting-places,  the 
Feroe  Isles,  Shetland,  and  the  Orkneys.  The  Highlands  of  Scot- 
land, in  particular,  abound  with  them.  Their  H'<rhts  are  immense; 
and  they  mingle  so  closely  together  in  foi'm  of  a  ball,  that  the 
fowlers  make  great  havoc  among  them.  They  arrive  lean,  soon 
become  very  fat,  and  are  delicious  food.  They  either  arrive  in  the 
Highlands  very  early,  or  a  few  breed  there ;  for  I  had  one  shot  for 
me,  at  luvercauld,  the  4th  of  August.  But  there  is  a  certainty  of 
their  migration ;  for  multitudes  of  them  fall,  wearied  with  their 
passage,  on  the  vessels  that  are  sailing  through  the  Pentlaud 
Firth. 

"  In  their  summer  dress,  they  are  sometimes  seen  in  the  south  of 
England,  the  climate  not  having  severity  sufficient  to  affect  the 
colors ;  yet  now  and  then  a  milk-white  one  appears,  which  is 
usually  mistaken  for  a  white  Lark. 

"  Russia  and  Siberia  receive  them  in  their  severe  seasons 
annually,  in  amazing  flocks,  overflowing  almost  all  Russia.  They 
frequent  the  villages,  .and  yield  a  most  luxurious  repast.  They  vary 
there  infinitely  in  their  winter  colors,  are  pure-white,  speckled,  and 
even  quite  brown.  This  seems  to  be  the  influence  of  difference  of 
age,  more  than  of  season.  Germany  has  also  its  share  of  them. 
In  Austria,  they  are  caught  and  fed  with  millet,  and  afford  the 
epicure  a  treat  equal  to  that  of  the  Ortolan. 

"  These  birds  appear  in  the  northern  districts  of  the  United  States 


IHK  SNOW   BUNTING. 


2W 


early  in  December,  or  with  tlie  first  heavy  snow,  particularly  if 
drifted  by  high  winds.   They  are  usually  oalh'd  the  Wliite  Snowbird, 
to  distinguish  them  from  the  small  dark-bluish  Snowbird  already 
described.    Their  numbers  increase  with  the  increasing  st'verity  of 
weather,  and  depth  of  snow.     Flocks  of  them  sometimes  reach  as 
far  south  as  the  borders  of  Ma"yland ;  and  the  whiteness  of  their 
plumage  is  observed  to  be  greatest  towards  the  depth  of  winter. 
They  si)read  over  the  Genesee  country  and  the   interior  of  the 
District  of  Maine,  Hying  in  close,  compact  bodies,  driving  about 
most  in  a  high  wind ;  sometimes  alighting  near  the  doors,  but  sel 
dom  sitting  long,  being  a  roving,  restless  bird.     In   these  plentiful 
regions,  where  more  valuable  game  is  abundant,  they  hold  out  no 
temptation  to  the  sportsman  or  hunter ;  and,  except  the  few  caught 
by  boys  in  snares,  no  other  attention  is  paid  to  them.     They  are, 
however,  universally  considered  as  the  harbingers  of  severe  cold 
weather.     How  far  westward  they  extend  I  am  unable  to  say. 
One  of  the  most  intelligent  and  expert  hunters,  who  accompanied 
Captains  Lewis  and  Clark  on  their  expedition  to  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
informs  me  that  he  has  no  recollection  of  seeing  these  birds  in  any 
part  of  their  tour,  not  even  among  the  bleak  and  snowy  regions  of 
*be  Stony  Mountains ;  though  the  little  blue  one  was  in  abundance. 
"  The  Snow  Bunting  derives  a  considerable  part  of  its  food  from 
the  seeds  of  certain  aquatic  plants,  which  may  be  one  reason  for  its 
preferring  these  remote  northern  countries,  so  generally  intersected 
with  streams,  ponds,  lakes,  and  shallow  arms  of  the  sea,  that  proba- 
bly abound  with  such  plants.     In  passing  down  the  Seneca  River 
towards  Lake  Ontario,  late  in  the  month  of  October,  I  was  sur- 
prised by  the  appearance  of  a  large  flock  of  these  birds,  feeding  on 
the  surface  of  the  water,  supported  on  the  tops  of  a  growth  of 
weeds  that  rose  from  the  bottom,  growing  so  close  together  that  out 
boat  could  with  great  difficulty  make  its  way  through  them.     They 
were  running  about  with  great  activity ;  and  those  I  shot  and  ex- 
amined were  filled,  not  only  with  the  seeds  of  this  plant,  but  with  a 
minute  kind  of  shell-fish  that  adheres  to  the  leaves.     In  this  kind 
of  aquatic  excursions,  they  are  doubtless  greatly  assisted  by  the 
length  of  their  hind  heel  and  claws.     I  also  observed  a  few  on 
Table  Rock,  above  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  seemingly  in  search  of  the 
same  kind  of  food. 


■ ...    »..J| 


■,^:* 


300 


OUNITHOLOOY  AND  OOLOOY. 


Accfirdini;  to  tlie  statcnients  of  thoso  traders  who  liavo  resided 
near  TTudson's  Bay,  the  Snow  Huntinirs  are  the  earliest  of  their 
migratory  birds;  appearing  there  altoiit  the  11th  of  April,  staying 
about  a  month  or  five  weeks,  and  proceeding  farther  north  to  breed. 
Tliey  return  again  in  September,  stay  till  November,  when  the 
severe  frosts  drive  them  southward." 


PLECTSOPRANES   LAPPONICUS. 
The  Lapland  Longspur. 


•  Se%. 


Emberizn  lapponica,  Audubon.     Orn.  Hiop.,  IV.  (1838)  472. 
Pkctrophanes  Inpponicus,  "  Sclby."     Bon.  List  (1838). 

Descriition. 

First  quill  Ion?ri'-^t;  Irgs  blftck;  lieiid  all  round  blnck,  this  exfendinp  as  a  snmi- 
circular  patcli  to  tlie  upper  part  of  breast;  sides  of  lowor  neo]<  and  under  pnrta 
white,  with  black  streaks  on  the  sides,  and  spots  on  the  side  of  the  breast;  a  short 
l)rownish-white  streak  back  of  the  eye;  a  broad  chestnut  collar  on  the  back  of  the 
neck;  rest  of  upper  parts  brownish-yellow,  streaked  with  dark-brown;  outer  tail 
feathers  white,  except  on  the  basal  portion  of  the  inner  web. 

This  species  is  very  seldom  seen  in  ftiU  spring  plumage  in  the  United  States.  In 
perfect  dress,  the  black  of  the  throat  probably  extends  further  down  over  the  breast. 
In  winter,  the  black  is  more  or  less  concealed  by  whitish  tips  to  the  foathers  beneath, 
and  by  yellowish-brown  on  the  crown.  Some  fall  specimens,  apparently  females, 
show  no  black  whatever  on  the  throat,  which,  with  the  under  parts  generally,  are 
dull-white,  with  a  short  black  streak  on  each  side  of  the  throat. 

I,en({th,  about  six  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and 
ninety  one-hundredths;   tail,  two  and  eight  one-hundredths. 

This  bird  is  found  only  as  nii  extremely  rare  winter 
visitor  in  the  interior  of  New  England  ;  but  in  some  local 
ities  on  the  seaboard  it  is  not  uncommon,  associating 
with  flocks  of  Snow  Bimtings.  We  are  informed  by  Dr. 
Richardson,  that  it  breeds  in  the  moist  meadows  on  the 
shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  The  nest  is  placed  on  a  small 
hillock,  among  moss  and  stones ;  is  compcsed  externally 
of  the  dry  stems  of  grass,  interwoven  to  a  considerable 
thickness  ;  and  lined,  very  neatly  and  compactly,  with  doer's 
hair.  The  eggs,  usually  seven,  are  pale  ochre-yellow, 
spotted  with  brown. 


THE   SAVANNAH    SPARROW. 


301 


Suh-Famibj  SriZKLMNyK. —  The  Sparrows. 

Rill  variablo,  usually  almost  strnifjhti  somptimpfl  curvt'il ;  commissure  ficncrnllv 
nonily  strai^jhf,  or  .•ilif;litly  cnncnve;  upper  mnndible  wider  tlinn  lower;  nostrils 
exposed;  wings  niodenite;  the  outer  primaries  not  much  rounded;  fail  variable; 
Ceet  lar;;e;  tarsi  mostly  longer  than  the  middle  toe. 

'I'he  species  are  usually  small,  and  of  dull  color.  Nearly  all  are  streaked  on  the 
hack  and  crown;  often  on  the  belly.  None  of  the  United-States  species  have  any 
red,  blue,  or  orange;  and  the  yellow,  when  present,  is  as  a  superciliary  streak,  or  on 
fhe  elbow  edge  of  the  wing. 


PASSERCULUS,  Bonapaktr. 

Pnnserailtu,  BoNAPAnTE,  Comp.  List  Birds  (1838;.  (Tyiie  I'rinrjUlit  Sdviinnrt.) 
Bill  moderately  conical;  the  lower  mandible  smaller;  both  outlines  nearly 
straight;  tarsus  about  equal  to  the  middle  toe;  lateral  toes  about  equal,  their  claws 
falling  far  short  of  the  middle  one;  hind  toe  much  longer  than  the  lateral  ones, 
reaching  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the  middle  claw;  its  claws  moderately  cur\-ed; 
wings  unusually  long,  reaching  to  the  middle  of  the  tail,  and  almost  to  the  end  of  the 
upper  coverts;  the  tcrtials  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  the  primaries;  the  first  primary 
longest;  the  tail  is  quite  short,  considerably  shorter  than  the  wings,  as  long  as 
from  the  carpal  joint  to  the  end  of  the  secondaries;  it  is  emarginate,  and  slightly 
rounded;   the  feathers  pointed  and  narrow. 

Kntire  plumage  above,  head,  neck,  back,  and  nimp,  streaked;  thickly  .streaked 
beneath. 

PASSEECULUS   SAYkVVIA.  —  Bonnpnrte. 

The  Savannah  Sparrow. 

Fringilla  Savanna,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  III.  (1811)  55.     And.  Om.  Biog.,  11. 
(1834)63;  V.  (1839),  516. 

Passerciiliis  Savanna,  Bonaparte.    List  (1838). 


.1 


^f. 


-;,« 


■  (4 

r  - 


DEscnimoN. 

Feathers  of  the  upper  parts  generally  with  a  central  streak  of  blackish-brown; 
the  streaks  of  the  back  with  a  slight  rufous  suffusion  laterally;  the  feathers  edged 
with  gray,  which  is  lightest  on  the  scapulars;  crown  with  a  broad  median  stripe  of 
yellowish-gray ;  a  superciliary  streak  from  the  bill  to  the  back  of  the  head,  eyelids, 
andedgeof  the  elbow,  yellow;  a  yellowish-white  maxillary  stripe  curving  behind 
the  ear  coverts,  and  margined  above  and  below  by  brown;  the  lower  margin  is  a 
series  of  thickly  crowded  spots  on  the  sides  of  the  throat,  which  are  also  found  on 
the  sides  of  the  neck,  across  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  and  on  the  fides  of  the 
body;  a  few  spots  on  the  throat  and  chin;  rest  of  under  parts  white;  outer  tail 
feather  and  primarj'  ed^'cd  with  white. 

Length,  five  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  seventy  one-hun- 
Iredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  ten  one-hundredths  inches. 


302 


OUNITIIOLOfiY    AM)    OOl.OOV, 


'I'liis  bird  sooms  to  l)o  ratln^r  irroeiilarly  tlisfriljutpii 
flimugliout  New  Eii<rliin(l  in  tlio  suninier  season.  In  tlic 
eastorii  part  of  Massaolmsotts,  it  is  qiilto  common ;  in 
the  western  part,  "chiefly  a  spring  and  summer  visitant," 
Init  "not  common."  Mr.  Allen  has  never  found  it  breed- 
ing in  the  neighborhood  of  Springfield  ;  but,  in  the  ncighbof- 
hood  of  the  seacoast  in  the  same  State,  it  is  abundant  in 
the  breeding  season.  On  the  contrary,  in  Elaine,  it  is  not 
very  common  near  the  seacoast;  but  in  the  interior,  even 
as  far  as  the  western  Itorders,  it  is  one  of  the  most  plentiful 
of  Sparrows.  It  arri\'cs  in  Massachusetts  as  early  as  the 
first  week  in  April ;  in  Maine,  seldom  before  the  middle  of 
that  month.  About  the  first  week  in  May  in  Massachnsetts, 
and  later  as  we  advance  north,  the  birds  commence  build- 
ing. The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  usually  \ander  a 
tussock  of  grass  :  it  is  constructed  of  fine  grasses  and 
roots,  which  are  bent  and  twined  together  rather  neatly; 
and  the  whole  is  lined  with  hairliko  roots  and  fine  grass. 
The  eggs  are  xisually  four  in  number,  grayish-whito  in  color, 
and  covered  irregularly  with  spots  of  umber-brown  and  lilac. 
Their  form  varies  from  long  and  slender  to  quite  short 
and  thick :  their  dimensions  vary  from  .76  by  .60  to  .72  by 
.58  inch.  Two  broods  are  often  reared  in  the  season.  This 
species  rather  prefers  pastures  and  fields  at  a  distance  from 
houses  for  a  home  to  their  more  immediate  neighborhood. 

On  the  seaboard,  this  species  is  most  often  found  on  or 
near  the  sandy  beaches,  where  it  is  observed  busily  glean- 
ing, in  the  seaweed  and  little  bunches  of  beach-grass,  the 
insects  and  mollusks  that  are  found  there.  In  the  interior, 
it  prefers  the  dry,  sandy  fields  and  pastures,  where,  running 
about  with  great  rapidity,  its  white  outer  tail  feathers  spread, 
it  is  always  industrious  in  its  search  for  coleopterous  insects 
and  seeds. 

The  female,  when  the  nest  is  approaclied,  leaves  it,  and 
runs  limping  off,  her  wings  extended,  uttering  the  chatter- 
ing cry  peculiar  to  the  Sparrows. 


THF,   ORASS   FINCH. 


Tlio  lualc,  (liiriii;;  tlio  iimliiiir  and  the  ciiily  part  of  tin' 
r)roc(iiii^  soivsoii,  lius  n  V(>ry  swci't  uiid  prolty  soii^  wliicli  ho 
chants  most  often  nt  niorninj^  and  oarly  cvoiiinu:,  and  diiriii^ 
dark  and  cloudy  woathor. 

'Tliis  sonj^  is  difficult  of  description  :  it  roscnil»lcs  nearly 
the  syllables  'vhrnu'c.  'chrwitt  \;hciriff  'chcwitt  ^rhenu'ct  V'/nvr/^c, 
Uttered  slowly  and  plaintively.  It  has  also  a  short  cliirp, 
quite  faint,  yet  shrill,  which,  as  Mr.  Nuttall  truly  remarks, 
almost  exactly  resembles  the  chirping  of  a  cricket. 

AI)ont  the  first  week  in  October,  this  species  fiathora  in 
small,  det.ached  flocks;  and,  after  frequenting  the  8tnbi)le- 
(lelds  and  gardens  a  week  or  two,  the  wliolo  leave  for  the 
South. 

POOCiETES,  lUiitn. 

Hill  rattier  Inrp;c ;  upper  outline  sliglitty  <lecurv-ed  towards  tlie  end,  lower  straiRht ; 
commissure  sti^'htly  concave;  tarsus  about  equal  to  ttie  middle  toe;  outer  toe  a 
little  longer  tlian  tlie  inner,  its  claw  reaching  to  the  concealed  base  of  the  middle 
claw,  hind  toe  rendiing  to  the  middle  of  the  middle  claw;  win;^s  unusually  long, 
reaching  to  the  n\i(ldlo  of  the  tail,  as  far  as  the  coverts,  and  pointed,  the  primaries 
considerably  longer  than  tlie  secondaries,  which  are  not  niudi  surpassed  by  the 
tertiariHs;  second  and  third  quills  longest;  first  little  shorter,  about  equal  to  the 
•burth.  shorter  than  the  tail;  tho  outer  feathers  scarcely  shorter;  the  feathers  rather 
stiff,  aacli  one  acuminate  and  sharply  pointed;  the  feathers  broad  nearly  to  the  end, 
when  they  arc  obliquely  truncate;  streaked  with  brown  above  everj'where;  beneath, 
(O  the  breast  and  sides;  the  lateral  tail  feather  is  white. 


;;:il^' 


POOCJETES   GEAMINEUS.  -  linh-d. 

The  Grass  Finch;  Bay-winged  Bunting. 

f'Ttnijitla  grnminen,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  922.    Aud.  Om.  Riog.,  I. 
1881,  473;  V.  502. 
Fmherizn  graminen,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn.,  IV.  (1811)  51. 

De-scriition. 
I  an  feathers  rather  acute;  above  light  yellowish-brown;  the  feathers  everywhere 
streal^ed  abruptly  with  dark-brown,  even  on  the  sides  of  the  neck,  which  are  paler; 
t)eneatli  yellinvish-white;  on  the  breast  and  sides  of  neck  and  body  streaked  with 
brown,  a  faint  lifclit  superciliarj*  and  maxillary  stripe;  the  latter  margined  above 
aud  below  with  dark-brown;  the  upper  stripe  continued  around  the  ear  eovert-s 
which  are  darkor  than  the  brown  color  elsewhere;  wings  with  the  shoulder  light 
chestnut-brown,  and  with  two  dull-whitish  bands  along  the  ends  of  the  coverts;  the 
outer  edge  of  the  secondaries  also  is  white;  outer  tail  feather,  and  edge  and  tin 
of  the  second,  Tthite. 


804 


OUNITIIOLOGY   AND   (>(JLO(iV. 


I.cnjftli,  flliniit  ii|x  nml  twcnty-rtve  oiH'-liiimlri'dthi  InchMi  wing,  thwe  and  tin 
ono-liiiiiilri'illli'<  iiiclu'K. 

HiIj.  —  I'liitiMl  SlatuH  IVoiii  Allaiitic  to  tin-  I'lirillc;  or  elao  one  uppfieii  to  tht>  hi^U 
contnl  pliiiii",  mid  nnotlier  from  tlii.s  to  tliu  i'acitlc. 

This  sparrow  in  al)iiii(lantly  distrilnitod  throiiglioiit  New 
Fiiffland  in  tlio  hrcoding  sea.soii.  It  arrives  about  tlio  first 
wt'(;i<  in  April,  and  conmioncos  l)iiildinj^  al»ont  tho  last  of 
that  inonlii  in  MasHacliUHctts ;  in  Maine,  about  the  first 
of  Juno.  Tlio  nest,  like  that  of  tho  preceding  species,  is 
liuilt  in  open,  dry  pastures  and  fields,  at  the  foot  of  a  tuft 
of  grass,  and  is  coin|)os('d  of  tlie  same  materials  and  con- 
stnu;tod  in  tlie  sumo  form  as  the  others;  and  I  won)'  here 
remark,  that,  of  our  N'ew-Eiit^laiul  sparrows,  it  is  impossible 
to  distinguish  most  species,  either  in  manner  and  material 
of  nest,  and  form  and  color  of  eggs,  in  the  great  variations 
whieh  exist  in  them.  The  descriptions  already  given,  and 
those  which  follow,  are  made  from  the  average  specimens, 
or  in  the  forms  in  which  they  are  most  often  met.  The 
eggs  of  tho  Grass  Finch  are  usually  about  four  in  number  : 
they  are  of  a  grayish,  livid-white  color,  and  marked  irregu- 
larly with  sjKjts  of  obscure  brown,  over  which  are  blotches 
of  l)lack.  Dimensions  of  specimens  from  various  localities 
vary  from  .88  by  .60  to  .70  by  .58  inch.  Two  broods,  and 
somotimes  three,  are  roared  in  the  season. 

Ihe  habits  of  this  and  tho  succeeding  species  so  much 
resemble  those  of  tho  preccdiiig,  that  it  is  diflicult  to 
describe  cither  so  that  they  may  bo  readily  recognized. 
The  present  bird  is  more  civilized  in  its  haltits,  and  usually 
resides  much  nearer  the  habitations  of  man  than  the  others  ; 
but  in  other  respects  it  resembles  them  in  all  their  charac- 
teristics. 


COTURNICULTIS,  Bonapabte. 

Cotemiculuf,  Bonapartf,  Gcor.  List  (1838).     (Type  Frint/illa paeserina,  Wila.) 
Hill  very  large  and  stout;  tho  under  mandible  broiulcr,  but  lower  than  the  upper, 
which  is  considerably  convex  at  the  basal  portion  of  its  upper  outline;  lep*  mod- 
orate,  apparently  not  reaching  to  the  end  of  the  tail ;  the  tarsus  appreciably  longer 


TIIK    YKIJ,OW-WIN(»KD   MI'AllltOW. 


nOo 


than  the  mliMIr  ton;  llu' liitornl  fnrt  ('i|iml,  ninl  with  tlnir  ilaw-t  tailing,'  ili'iiili'illy 
dliort  of  the  niiiMli;  cluw;  Out  hind  lim  intiTnuMliiiti'  hetwron  thii  two;  ihi-  winit"  iiru 
nhort  and  rnuniloil,  ri'tichiii);  to  tliii  lin'<i>  ot'  lliu  tail;  tlic  d  rliai'l<"<  iilini»t  ii^  hmn  lu 
thi!  prirniirics;  ti't  much  (lltfiTi'Mcn  in  tho  Icnirth*  ot'  tlii!  priniarii'?*,  iillhiiii;;h  iho 
miter  Ihreo  or  I'Mir  aro  cli^rhtly  j;railimt(il ;  tli«  tail  it  short  iiml  niirriiw,  clirjilMlly 
shorfur  than  the  \\\i\n,  nr-MluatM  lutiTHlly,  hut  BliKhlly  cinar^iinutis  thu  teathi'r.t  all 
lanccolatu  and  atiito,  hut  not  slidrnod,  nn  In  Ammmln'miit. 

The  upper  partt  ^jenerolly  uru  .strcaUod;  the  hlotchc*  on  the  liitrricapidar  roKi"n 
very  wide;  thu  hrcatt  and  sidi's  arc  gciiu'rally  strcakccl  morn  or  lets  dittiiu'tly ;  the 
edjt«  of  the  wing  is  yellow. 


COTUHNICULUS   PASSERINUS.  -  ll',w<,„irU:. 
The  Tellow-winged  Sparrow. 

Fnnyilln  pnMtrinn,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  III.  (1811)  76.    Aud.  Orn.  Bioj;.,  II 
(1884)  180;  V.  497. 

Oitnrnkuhu  prtfterinn,  nonapnrte.     Mat  (18!18). 

t'ririi/illd  HamiKtrum  ((imi'lin),  Nuttall.  Man.,  I,  (1812)  4'J4.  /A.  (2d  ed., 
Ifi40),  (,70. 

Dkschumion. 

Feathers  of  the  upper  parts  brownish-rufous,  margined  narrowly  and  abruptly 
with  ash-c'olor;  reddest  on  tho  lower  part  of  the  hack  iiiid  rump;  the  fciitlierH  all 
uhniptly  black  in  tho  central  portion;  this  color  visible  on  tlie  inlcrscipular  region, 
where  the  ruCous  is  more  restricted;  crown  blaekisli,  witli  a  central  and  superciliary 
stripe  of  yellowish  tinged  with  brown,  brightest  in  from  of  tho  eye;  bend  of  tho 
wing  bright-j'.llow;  lesser  coverts  tinged  with  greenish-yellow;  quills  and  tail 
feathers  edged  with  whitish;  tertiaries  much  variegated;  lower  parts  hmwnisli- 
yellow,  nearly  white  on  the  middle  of  tho  belly;  the  feathers  of  tho  upper  breast 
and  sides  of  the  body  with  obsoletely  darker  centres. 

Length,  about  live  inches;  wing,  two  aud  forty  ono-hundrcdihs  inches;  tail,  two 
inches. 

Tho  young  of  this  species  has  the  upper  part  of  tho  breast  streaked  with  black, 
much  more  distinct  than  in  tho  adult,  and  exhibiting  a  close  resenililance  to  C.  Ilvns- 
Imei. 

Specimens  from  the  Far  West  have  the  reddish  of  the  back  considerably  paler; 
the  light  stripe  on  the  head,  with  scarcely  any  yellow;  a  decided  spot  in  front 
of  the  eye  quite  yellow. 


ti\ 


This  bird  is  irregularly  distributed.  In  Massachusetts  it 
is  rare  near  the  seacoast,  but  iu  the  westeru  })art  is  an 
"  abundant  summer  visitant ;  arrives  about  the  first  week 
in  May,  and  leaves  in  autumn  the  earliest  of  the  Sparrows." 
—  Allen.  It  is  not  included  in  Mr.  Vorrill's  list  of  Maine 
birds ;  and  I  have  never  met  witli  it  in  tliat  State  or  the 
other  two  northern  ones,  although  it  probably  occurs  there, 

20 


300 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


but  not  abuiulantly.  The  nest  is  built,  like  the  two  preced 
ing  species,  on  the  ground,  in  the  same  localities,  and  of  the 
same  materials ;  but  the  eggs  are  different,  being  pure-whito 
in  color,  with  thinly  scattered  spots  of  reddish-brown :  they 
are  usually  five  in  number,  and  their  dimensions  vary  from 
.78  by  .00  to  .74  by  .58  inch.  Two  broods  are  often  reared 
in  the  same  season.  Its  habits  are  similar  to  those  of  tho 
Savannah  Sparrow. 


COTUESICULUS  HENSLOWI.  —  BmaparU. 
Hnnslow's  Bunting. 

Emberka  ITen$lowl,  Audubon.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1631)  360.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1882) 
A  pp. 

C(y«rntc«/us //cn«Wi',  Bonaparte.    List  (1838).    76.,  Consp.  (1850),  481. 
FringiUa  ITenslom,  Nuttidl.     Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  671. 

Dc'CRIFnON. 

Upper  parts  yellowish-brown ;  tiie  head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  of  back  tinged 
with  greenish-yellow;  interscapular  feathers  dark-brown,  suffused  externally  with 
bright  brownish-red;  each  feather  with  grayish  borders;  tertiaries,  rump,  and  tail 
featliers  abruptly  dnrk-brown  centrally,  the  color  obscurely  margined  with  dark-red; 
crown  with  a  broad  black  spotted  stripe  on  each  side,  these  spots  continued  down 
to  the  back;  two  narrow  b'ack  maxillary  stripes  on  ecch  side  the  head,  and  an 
obscure  black  crescent  behind  the  auriculars;  under  parts  light  brownish-yellow, 
palor  on  the  throat  and  abdomen ;  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  and  the  sides  of  the 
body,  conspicuously  streaked  with  black;  edge  of  wing  j-ellow;  a  strong  tinge  of 
pale-chcstnut  on  the  wings  and  tail. 

Length,  five  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  fifteen  one- 
hundredths  inches;  tail,  two  and  fifteen  one-hundredths  inches. 

Tliis  bird  is  a  rare  summer  resident  in  New  England  as 
far  north  as  Massachusetts,  in  which  state  it  probably  breeds 
regularly  in  certain  localities.  A  nest  found  in  Berlin, 
Mass.,  by  Mr.  E.  S.  Wheeler,  contained  four  eggs.  Mr. 
Allen  says  that  "  this  species  must  still  be  considered  a  rare 
summer  visitor,  though  it  proves  more  common  than  was 
supposed  a  few  years  since." 

Individuals  are  occasionally  found  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  state,  and  their  nests  discovered.  Mr.  Maynard  con- 
jectures that  it  may  have  been  confounded  with  the  yellow- 
winged  sparrow  by  some  collectors. 


THE   SHARP-TAILED   FINCH. 


307 


AAfMODROMUS,  Swainson. 

Ammodromut,  Swainson,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  1827.  (Type  Oriuliu  caudacutiu, 
Ginelin.) 

Hill  very  long,  slender,  and  attenuated,  considerably-curved  towards  the  tip  above ; 
the  {jonys  straight ;  the  legs  and  toes  are  very  long,  and  reach  considerably  beyond 
the  tip  of  the  short  tail;  the  tarsus  is  about  equal  to  tli«  elongated  middle  toe;  the 
lateral  toes  equal,  their  claws  falling  considerably  short  of  the  base  of  the  middle 
one;  the  hind  claw  equal  to  the  lateral  one;  wings  short,  reaching  only  to  the  base 
of  the  tail;  much  rounded;  the  secondaries  and  tertials  equal,  and  not  much  shorter 
than  the  primaries;  the  tail  is  short,  and  graduated  laterally,  each  fcither  stift'ened, 
lanceolate,  and  acute. 

Cbtor.  —  Streaked  above  and  across  the  brpast;  very  faintly  on  the  sides. 


id  fifteen  one- 


AMMODSOMUS   CAUDACDTUS.  —  Sioatn«on. 

The  Sharp-tailed  Finch. 

Oriolut  caudacutiu.    Gm.,  I.  (1788)  394. 

Fringilla  cmuiacuta,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  IV.  (1811)  70.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II. 
(1884)  281;  V.  499. 

Ammodromus  caudacuius,  Swainson.    Birds,  II.  (1837)  289. 
Fringilla  liUoralis,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1832)  504  (2d  ed.,  1840,  590). 

Description. 

Upper  parts  brownish-olivaceous;  head  brownish,  streaked  with  black  on  the 
sides,  and  a  broad  central  stripe  of  ashy;  back  blotched  with  durker;  a  broad 
superciliary  and  maxillarj'  stripe,  and  a  band  across  the  upper  breast  buff-yellow; 
the  sides  of  the  throat  with  a  brown  stripe;  the  upper  part  of  the  breast  and  the 
sides  of  the  body  streaked  with  black;  rest  of  under  parts  white;  edge  of  wing 
yellowish-white. 

The  young  is  of  a  more  yellowish  tinge  above  and  below;  the  streaks  on  the 
back  more  conspicuous;  the  scapular  feathers  without  the  whitish  edging. 

Length,  five  inches ;  wing,  two  and  thirty  one-hundredths  inches. 

Hab.  —  Atlantic  Coast  of  the  United  States. 


a 
?? 


Massachusetts  seems  to  be  the  northern  limit  of  this  spe- 
cies. In  this  State  and  those  south,  it  is  not  uncommon  ; 
but  it  is  confined  to  the  districts  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
coast,  and  is  never  found  more  than  a  mile  or  two  from 
those  localities  in  the  breeding  season.  About  the  last 
week  in  May,  the  nest  is  built :  this  is  placed  in  a  tussock 
of  grass  above  the  tide-marks,  and  is  constructed  of  coarse 
grasses,  which  are  woven  into  a  strong  fabric,  and  lined  with 
finer  grasses  and  seaweed.    The  eggs  are  generally  five  in 


Mt>- 


308 


ORNITHOLOr.Y   AND   OOLOGY. 


miinbcr.  Tlioir  color  is  a  bluish-wliito,  which  is  covoroil 
with  fine  brown  dots  :  these  dots  are  coarser  in  some  spc'ci- 
mens,  and  almost  continent  near  the  greater  end.  Dimen- 
sions vary  from  .80  by  .04  inch  to  .70  by  .00  inch.  But  one 
brood  is  generally  reared  in  the  season  in  this  latitude. 

The  description,  by  Wilson,  of  the  habits  of  the  Seaside 
Pinch  is  so  applicable  to  this  species,  that  I  give  it  here : 
"It  inhabits  the  low,  rush-covered  sea  islands  along  our, 
Atlantic  Coast,  where  I  first  found  it;  keeping  almost  con- 
tinually within  the  boundaries  of  tide-water,  except  when 
long  and  violent  east  and  north-easterly  storms,  with  higii 
tides,  compel  it  to  ceek  tho  shore.  On  these  occasions,  it 
courses  along  the  margin,  and  among  the  holes  and  inter- 
stices of  the  weeds  and  sea-wrack,  with  a  rapidity  equalled 
only  by  the  nimblest  of  our  Sand-pipers,  and  very  much  in 
their  manner.  At  these  times,  also,  it  roosts  on  the  ground, 
and  runs  about  after  dusk. 

"  This  species  derives  its  whole  subsistence  from  the  sea. 
I  examined  a  great  number  of  individuals  by  dissection, 
and  found  their  stomachs  universally  filled  with  fragments 
of  shrimps,  minute  shell-fish,  and  broken  limbs  of  small 
sea-crabs.  Its  flesh,  also,  as  was  to  be  expected,  tasted  of 
fish,  or  what  is  usually  termed  sedgy.  Amidst  the  re- 
cesses of  these  wot  sea-marshes,  it  seeks  the  rankest  growth 
of  grass  and  seaweed,  and  climbs  along  the  stalks  of  the 
rushes  with  as  much  dexterity  as  it  runs  along  the  ground, 
which  is  rather  a  singular  circumstance,  most  of  our 
climliers  being  rather  awkward  at  running." 


AMMODEOMUS  MAHITIMUS.  —  Swntnson. 
The  Seaside  Finch. 

Frlngitta  maritima,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  IV.  (1811)  68.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831). 
AmmcKlrnmus  maritimus,  Swainson.    Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (1827)  328. 
Frinr/illa  (Ammodromm)  maritima,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  592. 
Fririi/iUa  MacyilUvrayi,  Audubon.     Orn.  Biog.,  It.  (1834)  285;  IV.  (1838)  394i 
V.  (1839)  499. 

Fringilla  {Ammixlrflrmts)  MacgiUivrayi,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (2d  ed.,  1840)  593. 


THE   WHITE-CUOWNED   SPAUUOW. 


GOO 


DKaCllUTION. 

Above  olivaceous-brown;  bcneuth  wliitc;  the  breast  and  siJoa  of  bi  Jy  jtUowisli- 
browii,  obsoletely  streaked  with  plumbeous;  sides  ot'liead  and  bndy,  a  central  stripe 
on  the  head  above,  a  maxillary  stripe,  and  indistinct  lonj;it):dinal  streaks  on  the 
breast,  ashy-brown ;  the  sides  and  the  breast  tin;.^ed '.viiii  yrllowish;  the  niaxillury 
stripe  cuts  off  a  white  one  above  it;  u  superciliary  stripe  h  bri^jht-yellow  anterior  to 
tin  ej'e,  and  pi'    ibeous  above  and  behind  it;  edge  of  winj;  yellow;  bill  blue. 

Length,  about  six  inches;  wing,  two  and  fifty  one-bundredths  in':hes. 

This  bird's  habits  and  distribution  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  preceding  species,  as  also  are  the  nests  and  eggs, 
which  are  impossible  of  identification  when  placed  side  by 
side. 


ZONOTRICIIIA,  SwAiNsoN. 

Zonotrichia,  Swainsom,  Fauna Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1831).  (Type  EniLenza  kucophrys.) 
Body  rather  stout ;  bill  conical,  slightly  notched,  somewhai  compressed,  excavated 
inside;  the  lower  mandible  rather  lunger  than  the  upper;  gonys  slightly  convex; 
commissure  nearly  straight;  feet  stout;  tarsus  lather  longer  than  middle  toe;  the 
lateral  toes  very  nearly  equal;  hind  toe  longer  than  the  lateral  ones,  their  claws  just 
reaching  to  base  of  middle  one;  inner  claw  contained  twice  in  its  toe  proper;  claws 
nil  slender  and  considerably  curved;  wings  moderate,  not  reaching  to  the  middle  of 
the  tail,  but  beyond  the  rump;  secondaries  and  tertials  equal  and  considerably  less 
than  longest  primaries;  second  and  third  quills  longest;  first  about  equal  to  the  fifth, 
much  longer  than  tertials;  tail  rather  long,  moderately  rounded;  the  feathers  not 
verj'  broad;  back  streaked;  rump  and  under  parts  immaculate;  head  black,  or  with 
white  streaks,  entirely  diti'erent  from  the  back. 


ZONOTBICHIA   LEUCOFHBTS.  —  SwainsM. 

The  White-crowned  Sparrow. 

Emberiza  letwqphrys,  Forster.  I'liilos.  Trans.,  LXII.  (1772)  382, 428.  Wils.  Am. 
Om.,  IV.  (1811)49. 

Frinyilla  (Zonotrichia)  leucophnjs,  Swainson.     F.  B.  Am.,  II.  (1831)  255. 
Frinyilta  lettcophrys,  Audubon.    Om.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  88;  V.  515. 

Dksckiition. 

Head  above,  upper  half  of  loral  region  from  the  bill,  and  a  narrow  line  through 
and  behind  the  eye  to  the  occiput,  black ;  a  longitudinal  patch  in  the  middle  of  the 
crown,  and  a  short  line  from  above  the  anterior  comer  of  the  eye,  the  two  confluent 
on  the  occiput,  white;  sides  of  the  head,  fore  part  of  breast,  and  lower  neck  all 
-ound.  pale-nsh,  lightest  beneath  and  shading  insensibly  into  the  whitish  of  the  belly 
and  chin;  sides  of  belly  and  under  tail  coverts  tinged  with  yellowi.-h-brown;  inter- 
scapular region  streaked  broadly  with  dark  chestnut-brownish ;  edges  of  the  tertiarie* 
brou'nish-ehestnut;  two  white  bands  on  the  wing. 


I;  ^  i 


ii!» 


^ 


810 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


■•'omiile  similar,  l)iit  smaller;  immature  male  with  tiio  black  of  the  head  replaced 
by  dark  chestnut-brown,  the  white  tm^ieil  with  brownish-yellow. 

The  white  of  the  crown  separates  two  black  lines  on  either  sides,  rather  narrower 
than  it.sclf;  the  black  line  behind  the  eye  is  continued  anterior  to  it  into  the  black 
at  the  base  of  the  bill;  the  lower  eyelid  is  white;  there  are  some  obscure  cloudings 
of  darker  on  the  neck  above;  the  rump  is  immaculate;  no  white  on  the  tail,  except 
very  obscure  tips;  the  white  crosses  the  ends  of  the  middle  and  (rreatci  coverts. 

Length,  seven  and  ten  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  tvc  ity-tive  one- 
hundredths. 


Tliis  lieautiful  bird  is  a  rare  spring  and  autumn  visitor 
in  New  England.  It  arrives  about  the  first  week  in  May, 
sometimes  as  late  as  the  20th  of  that  month,  and  returns 
from  the  North  about  the  10th  of  October.  While  with 
us,  it  lias  all  the  habits  of  the  succeeding  species,  with 
which  it  usually  associates. 

The  following  description  of  its  breeding  habits,  nest,  and 
eggs,  is  given  by  Audubon :  — 

"  One  day,  while  uear  American  Harbor,  in  Labrador,  I  observed 
a  pair  of  these  birds  rep .  rting  to  a  small  '  hummock  *  of  firs,  where 
I  concluded  they  must  have  had  a  nest.  -A  fter  searching  in  vain,  I 
intimated  my  suspicion  to  my  young  fi-iends,  when  we  all  crept 
through  the  tangled  branches,  and  examined  the  place  without  suc- 
cess. .  .  .  Our  disappointment  was  the  greater,  that  we  saw  the 
male  bird  frequently  flying  about  with  food  in  his  bill,  no  doubt 
intended  for  his  mate.  In  a  short  while,  the  pair  came"  near  us, 
and  l)oth  were  .siiot.  In  the  female  we  found  an  egg,  which  was 
pure-white,  but  with  the  shell  yet  soft  and  thin.  On  the  6th  of 
July,  while  my  son  was  creeping  among  some  low  bushes  to  get  a 
shot  at  some  Red-throated  Divers,  he  accidentally  started  a  female 
from  her  nest.  It  made  much  complaint.  The  nest  was  placed  in 
the  moss,  near  the  foot  of  a  low  fir,  and  was  formed  externally  of 
beautiful  dry  green  moss,  matted  in  bunches,  like  the  coarse  hair 
of  some  quadruped ;  internally  of  very  fine  dry  grass,  arranged 
with  great  neatness  to  the  tliickness  of  nearly  half  an  inch,  with  a 
full  lining  of  delicate  fibrous  roots  of  a  rich  transparent  yellow. 
It  was  five  inches  in  diameter  externally,  two  in  depth ;  two  and  a 
quarter  in  diameter  within,  although  rather  oblong,  and  one  and 
three-quarteis  diiep.  In  one  nest,  we  found  a  single  featlier  of  the 
Willow  Grouse.     The  eggs,  five  in  number,  average  seven-eighths 


THE   WKITE-TimOATED   SPAnUOW. 


:ni 


of  an  iiicli  in  length,  are  proportionally  broad,  of  a  light  soa-gropii 
color,  mottled  toward  the  larger  end  with  brownish  spots  and 
blotches ;  a  few  spots  of  a  lighter  tint  being  dispersed  over  the 
whole.  .  .  .  We  found  many  nests,  which  were  all  placed  on  tlus 
ground  or  among  tiie  moss,  and  were  all  constructed  alike.  This 
species  deposit  their  eggs  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  June. 
In  the  beginning  of  Au[;ust,  I  saw  many  young  that  were  able  to 
fly ;  and,  by  the  twelfth  of  that  month,  the  birds  had  already  com- 
menced their  southward  migration.  The  young  follow  their  parents 
until  nearly  full  grown. 

"  The  food  of  this  species,  while  in  Labrador,  consists  of  small 
coleopterous  insects,  grass  seeds,  and  a  variety  of  berries,  as  well 
as  some  minute  shell-fish,  for  which  they  frequently  search  the  mar- 
gins of  ponds  or  the  seashore.  At  the  approach  of  autumn,  they 
pursue  insects  on  the  wing  to  a  short  distance,  and  doubtless  secure 
some  in  that  manner." 

The  "^ong  of  the  White-crowned  Sparrow  consists  of  six 
or  seven  notes,  the  first  of  which  is  loud,  clear,  and  musi- 
cal, although  of  a  plaintive  nature  ;  the  nexi  broader,  less 
firm,  and  seeming  merely  a  second  to  the  first;  the  rest 
form  a  cadence,  diminishing  in  power  to  the  last  note,  which 
sounds  as  if  the  final  eRbrt  of  the  musician.  These  notes 
are  repeated  at  short  intervals  during  the  whole  day,  —  even 
on  those  dismal  days  produced  by  the  thick  fogs  of  the 
country  where  it  breeds,  and  where  this  species  is,  of  all, 
the  most  abundant. 


r 
a: 


ZONOTRICHIA  ALBICOLLIS.  —  5(^n«/)a,<e, 

The  White-throatftd  Sparrow;  Peabody  Bird. 

Fringiila  aUncoUis,  Gmelin.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  926.  VVila.  Am.  Orn.,  III. 
^811)  51. 

ZomtricMa  albicollia,  Bonap.    Consp.  (1850),  478. 

Frinyilla  Pennsylva.iica,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  42;  V.  49T. 

Desckution. 

Two  black  stripes  on  tbe  crown  separated  by  a  median  one  of  wliito ;  a  broad 
superciliary  stripe  from  the  base  o."  tlie  mandible  to  the  occiput,  yellow  as  far  as 
the  middle  of  the  eye  and  white  behind  this;  a  broad  black  streak  on  the  side  of  ilia 


312 


OKNITHOLOUY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Iiuad  i'rom  behind  the  eye;  chin  white,  abruptly  defined  against  the  dai'li-.-;''')  of 
llic  sides  (if  tbu  head  and  upper  part  of  the  breast,  fading  into  white  on  tlie  belly, 
uiid  margined  by  a  narrow  black  maxillary  line;  edge  of  wing  and  axillarics  j'ellow; 
back  and  edges  of  secondaries  rul'uus-brown,  the  former  streaked  with  dark-brown 
two  narrow  white  tjands  across  the  wing  coverts. 

Female  smidler,  and  the  colors  mther  duller,  hnmaturu  and  winter  specimens 
have  th(^  white  ehiii-palch  less  abruptly  defined;  the  white  markings  on  the  top  and 
sides  of  the  head  tinged  with  brown.  Some  specimens,  apparently  mature,  show 
(juite  distinct  streaks  on  the  breast,  and  sides  of  throat  and  body. 

Length,  seven  inches;  wing,  three  and  ten  one-hundredtlis;  tail,  three  and  twenty 
one-liundredths  inches. 


This  beautiful  Sparrow  arrives  in  Massachusetts  by  the 
last  week  iu  April.  It  docs  not  tarry  long,  but  passes 
)K»ith,  and  breeds  abundantly  in  the  northern  districts  of 

New  England.  I  have 
found  the  nests  as  early 
as  the  last  week  iu  May ; 
but  generally  they  are 
not  built  before  the  10th 
of  June.  They  are 
placed  under  a  low  bush 
on  the  ground,  some-* 
times  in  swamps  and 
pastures,  sonjetimes  in 
high  woods  and  ledges. 
They  are  constructed  of 
fine  grasses,  twigs,  and 
mosses,  and  lined  with 
finer  grasses,  and  sometimes  a  few  hair-like  roots.  Some 
specimens  that  I  have  collected  in  Northern  Maine  were 
placed  in  a  hollow  in  a  mossy  knoll,  which  was  scratched 
by  the  birds  to  the  depth  of  the  whole  nest.  The  eggs  are 
usually  four  in  number :  their  color  is  a  grayish-white,  and 
marked  with  spots  and  confluent  blotches  of  brown  and 
obscure  lilac.  A  number  of  specimens,  collected  in  differ- 
ent localities  in  Maine,  exliibit  the  following  variations  iu 
size :  .92  by  M  inch,  .92  by  .60  inch,  .90  by  .62  inch,  .86 
l)y  .62  inch,    liut  one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season.     This 


JUNCO. 


;5i:3 


three  and  twenty 


bird  is  a  great  favorite  iu  the  North,  and  justly  so.  It  is 
one  of  the  sweetest  songsters  of  the  locaUties  where  it 
is  found  ;  and,  having  no  bad  precedents  with  the  farmer, 
and  being  of  a  sociable,  lively  disposition,  it  is  no  wonder 
that  it  meets  with  great  favor. 

The  song  of  this  species  is  very  beautiful.  It  is  difficult  of 
description,  but  resembles  nearly  the  syllables  ^elU-a  dee  de; 
de-d-ih',-de-d-de,  de-d-de,  de-d-de,  uttered  at  first  loud  and 
clear,  and  rapidly  falling  in  tone  and  decreasing  in  volume. 

This  is  chanted  during  the  morning  and  the  latter  part  of 
tlie  day,  and,  in  cloudy  weather,  through  the  whole  day.  1 
have  often  heard  it  at  different  hours  of  the  night,  when 
1  have  been  encamped  in  the  deep  forests  ;  and  the  effect,  at 
that  time,  was  indescribably  sweet  and  plaintive.  The  fact 
that  the  bird  often  sings  in  the  night  has  given  it  the  name 
of  the  "  Nightingale  "  in  many  localities  ;  and  the  title  is 
well  earned. 

While  in  its  spring  and  autumn  migrations,  this  Sparrow 
prefers  low  moist  thickets  and  young  woods ;  but,  in  its  sum- 
mer home,  it  is  found  equally  abundant  in  fields,  pastures, 
swamps,  and  forests. 

It  feeds  on  insects,  various  seeds,  and  berries,  and  some- 
times pursues  flying  insects  in  the  manner  of  the  preceding 
species. 

Aboiit  the  last  week  in  October,  the  birds,  after  congre- 
gating in  loose  flocks  of  a  dozen  or  fifteen,  leave  New  Eng- 
land for  their  winter  homes. 


1 

Ma 

I  'A 


^'4 


JUNCO,  Wagler. 

Junco,  Wagler,  Isis  (1831).  (Type  Fnngilla  cinerea,  Sw.) 
Bill  small,  conical;  culmen  curved  at  the  tip;  the  lower  jaw  quite  as  high  as  the 
upper;  tarsus  longer  than  the  middle  toe:  outer  toe  longer  than  the  inner,  barely 
caching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  claw;  hiud  toe  reaching  as  far  as  the  middle  of 
the  latter;  extended  toes  reaching  about  to  the  middle  of  the  tail;  wings  rather 
short,  reaching  over  the  basal  fourth  of  the  exposed  surface  of  the  tail ;  primaries, 
however,  considerably  longer  than  the  nearly  equal  secondaries  8"d  tertials;  tlie 
second  quill  longest,  the  third  to  fifth  succes"'"-'  •■  "''tie  shorter;  first  longer  than 
sixth,  much  exceeding  secondaries;  tail  \      .ittle  shorter  than  the  wings; 


314 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


llightly  cinarfriiiatc  and  rounded ;  fciitlicr.s  ratlicr  nnrrt  w,  oval  nt  the  end ,  no  Htreaki 
on  the  head  or  l.od /;  color  above  unitbrni  on  tho  lieiid,  back,  or  nanp,  separately  or 
on  all  together;  ocily  wliite;  outer  tail  t'ealhcrs  white. 

Tho  L'.sHential  characters  of  this  genus  are,  the  middle  toe  rather  thortcr  than  the 
short  tarsus;  the  latcrol  toes  slightly  unequal,  the  outer  reaching  tho  ba«o  of 
the  middle  cliiw;  the  tail  a  little  ."horter  than  the  wings,  slightly  emnrginate.  lu 
Juncu  ciiiereut  the  claws  are  lunger;  the  lower  ";sandib;3  a  little  lower  than  the 
ii|i|i'r;  the  species  have  the  upper  parts  ashy  oi  p'umbcous,  the  belly  and  lateral 
tail  feathers  white. 

JONCO  HYEMxl    ■  .  — .'  cL    r. 

The  Snowbird, 

Fnngilla  hyemalis,  Linnaius.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (10th  ed.,  1758)  183.  Aud.  Cm.  Biog., 
.   (1831)72;  V.  505. 

J  unco  hyemalis,  Sclater.    Pr.  Zool.  Soc.  (1857),  7. 
FnnyiUa  nicalU.     Wils.,  IL  (1810)  129. 

Desckiftiok. 

Everywhere  of  a  grayish  or  dark  ashy-black,  deepest  anteriorly;  the  middle  ol 
the  breast  behind  and  of  the  belly,  the  under  tail  coverts,  and  first  and  second  exter- 
nal tail  feathers,  white;  the  third  tail  feather  white,  margined  mth  black. 

Length,  six  and  twenty-live  one-huuilredths  inches;  wing,  about  three  inches. 

This  interestiiifr  aud  well-known  littlo  species  is  an  abun 

dant  inhabitant  of  New  Eng- 
land. Intlio  spring  it  migrates 
from  tlie  southern  districts, 
where  it  spends  the  winter,  to 
the  northern  sections,  and  late 
in  fall  returns  to  its  winter 
home.  A  few  pairs  breed  in 
Massachusetts  on  the  Holyoke 
Mountains,  and  in  New  Hamp- 
shire on  the  White  Mountains : 
but  the  great  numbers  pass  to 
the  nortliern  districts  to  spend 
I'-  the  summer ;  and  near  the  Um- 
K  bagog  lakes,  and  nortli  to  the 
Canada  frontier,  it  is  the  most 
common  species.  I  have  been 
so  fortunate  as  to  find  a  number  of  the  nests:  some  had  eggs 
as  early  as  the  last  week  in  May,  and  others  as  late  as  tho 


.Snowbird,  uppor  Hg. 
Song  Sparrow,  lower  fig. 


THE  SNOWBIRD. 


315 


middle  of  July ;  therefore  two  broods  are  probably  reared. 
The  nests  are  constructed  of  fine  grasses  and  leaves,  ami 
are  placed  sometimes  in  a  slight  hole  scratched  iu  a  mossy 
knoll,  sometimes  in  an  old  stump  of  a  tree  or  iu  a  tuft  of 
grass  in  a  thicket  of  bushes.  Tlie  eggs  are  usually  fiMir  in 
lunuber:  they  vary  in  color  from  nearly  pure-white  witli 
reddish  spots,  to  grayish-white  with  reddish-brown  spots,  and 
l)luisli-white  with  a  roseate  tint  and  spots  of  umber,  reddish- 
brown,  and  lilac.  Dimensions  vary  from  .70  by  .00  inch  to 
.70  by  .56  inch. 

The  description  by  Wilson  of  the  habits  of  this  species  is 
so  full  and  accurate  that  I  can  do  no  better  than  give  it 
here :  — 

"Tliia  well-kuowu  species,  small  and  iusiguificant  as  it  may 
appear,  is  by  far  the  most  numerous,  as  well  as  the  most  extensively 
disseminated,  of  all  the  feathered  tribes  that  visit  us  from  the  frozen 
regions  of  the  North,  —  their  migrations  extending  from  the  arctic 
circle,  and  probably  beyond  it,  to  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Mev.ico-, 
spreading  over  the  whole  breadth  of  the  United  States,  from  the 
Atlantic  Ocean  to  Louisiana ;  how  much  farther  westward,  I  am 
unable  to  say.  About  the  20th  of  October,  they  make  their  first 
appearance  in  those  parts  of  Pennsylvania  east  of  the  Alleghany 
JNIountains.  At  first  they  are  most  generally  seen  on  the  borders 
of  woods  among  the  falling  and  decayed  leaves,  in  loose  flocks  of 
thirty  or  forty  together,  always  taking  to  the  trees  when  disturbed. 
As  the  weather  sets  in  colder,  they  approach  nearer  the  farm-house 
and  villages ;  and,  on  the  appearance  of  what  is  usually  called  fall- 
ing weather,  assemble  in  larger  flocks,  and  seem  doubly  diligent  in 
searching  for  food.  This  increased  activity  is  generally  a  sure  prog- 
nostic of  p  storm.  When  deep  snows  cover  the  ground,  they 
become  almost  half  domesticated.  They  collect  about  the  barn, 
stables,  and  other  out-houses,  spread  over  the  yard,  and  even  round 
the  steps  of  the  door,  not  only  in  the  country  and  villages,  but 
iu  the  heart  of  our  large  cities ;  crowding  around  the  threshold 
early  in  the  morning,  gleaning  up  the  crumbs  ;  appearing  very  lively 
and  familiar.  They  have  also  recourse,  at  this  severe  season,  when 
Uie  face  of  the  earth  is  shut  up  from  them,  to  the  seeds  of  many 


."K; 


OUNITHOLOOY   AND  OOLOOY. 


kiii(].-(  of  weeds  that  still  line  above  the  biiow  in  isomers  of  fieUls, 
iiiid  low,  shelten.'d  Hituatioas,  uloiig  the  borders  of  crocks  and  fences, 
where  they  asHociate  with  several  otlujr  species  of  Spurrows.  They 
are,  at  this  time,  easily  caught  with  almost  any  kind  of  trap ;  are 
generally  fat,  ant!,  it  is  said,  are  excellent  eating. 

"  I  cannot  but  consider  this  bird  as  the  most  numerous  of  its 
tribe  of  any  within  the  United  States.  From  the  northern  parts 
"f  the  District '  of  Maine  to  the  Ogeechee  River  in  Georgia,  —  a 
distance,  by  the  circuitous  route  in  which  I  travelled,  of  more  than 
eighteen  hundred  miles.  —  I  never  passed  a  day,  and  scarcely  a 
mile,  without  seeing  numbers  of  these  birds,  and  frequently  large 
flocks  of  several  thousands.  Other  travellers  with  whom  I  con- 
versed, who  had  come  from  Lexington,  in  Kentucky,  through  Vir- 
ginia, also  declared  that  tiiey  found  these  birds  numerous  along  the 
whole  road.  It  should  be  observed,  that  the  roadsides  are  their 
favorite  haunts,  where  many  rank  weeds  that  grow  along  the 
fences  furnish  them  with  food,  and  the  road  with  gravel.  In 
the  vicinity  of  places  where  they  were  most  numerous,  I  observed 
a  Small  Hawk,  and  several  others  of  his  tribe,  watching  their 
opportunity,  or  hovering  cautiously  around,  making  an  occasional 
sweep  among  them,  and  retiring  to  the  bare  branches  of  an  old 
cypress  to  feed  on  their  victims.  In  the  month  of  April,  when  the 
weather  begins  to  be  warm,  they  are  observed  to  retreat  to 
the  woods,  and  to  prefer  the  shaded  sides  of  hills  and  thickets ;  at 
which  time,  the  males  warble  out  a  few  very  low,  sweet  notes,  and 
are  almost  perpetually  pursuing  and  fighting  with  each  other. 
About  the  20th  of  April,  they  take  their  leave  of  our  humble 
regions,  and  retire  to  the  North  and  to  the  high  ranges  of  the  Alle- 
ghany to  build  their  nests  and  rear  their  young.  In  some  of  those 
ranges,  in  the  interior  of  Virginia,  and  northward,  about  the  wa- 
ters of  the  west  branch  of  the  Susquehanna,  they  breed  in  great 
numbers.  The  nest  is  fixed  in  the  ground,  or  among  the  grass ; 
sometimes  several  being  within  a  small  distance  of  each  other. 
According  to  the  observations  of  the  gentlemen  residing  at  Hudson- 
Bay  Factory,  they  arrive  there  about  the  beginning  of  June,  stay 
a  week  or  two,  and  proceed  farther  north  to  breed.  They  return 
to  that  settlement  in  the  autumn,  on  their  way  to  the  South. 

1  Now  State. 


TIIR  TREK   SPARROW. 


317 


"In  snmo  parts  of  New  Eii^jrlaml,  I  foiiiid  tlio  opinion  pn>lfy 
poneral,  that  tli"  SnowMnl,  in  summer,  is  transf. 'ini('<l  into  flin 
Small  Chipping  Sparrow,  wiiidi  wo  find  so  common  in  that  season. 
I  had  convinced  a  gentleman  of  New  York  of  his  mistake  in  tliis 
matter,  by  takinjj  liim  to  the  honsc  of  a  Mr.  Gantier  tliere,  who 
amuses  himself  liy  keeping  a  great  numher  of  native  ns  well  as 
foreign  birds.  This  was  in  the  month  of  July ;  and  tin;  Snow- 
bird appeared  then  in  the  same  coh)red  phim.age  he  usually  has. 
Several  individuals  of  tlu'  Chipping  Sparrow  were  also  in  the  san\(< 
apartment.  The  evidence  was,  therefore,  irresistible ;  but,  as  I 
had  not  the  same  proofs  to  offer  to  the  eye  in  New  England,  I  had 
not  the  same  success. 

"There  must  be  something  in  the  temperature  of  the  blood  or 
constitution  of  this  bird,  which  unfits  it  for  residing,  durinc  sum- 
mer,  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  United  States,  as  the  country  here 
abounds  with  a  great  variety  of  food,  of  which,  during  its  stay,  it 
appears  to  be  remarkably  fond.  Or  perhaps  its  habit  of  associating 
in  such  numbers  to  breed,  and  building  its  nest  with  so  little  pre- 
caution, may,  to  insure  its  safety,  require  a  solitivry  region,  far  from 
the  intruding  footsteps  of  man." 


,.  M 


SPIZELLA,   Bo.NAPAHTK. 

Spizella,  Bonapaute,  Geog.  and  Comp.  List  (1888).  (Type  FringiUa  CinaJen- 
iu,  Lath.) 

Bill  conical,  the  outlines  slightly  cur\-ed;  the  lower  mandible  decidedly  lower 
than  tlie  upper;  the  commisaure  gently  sinuated;  the  roof  of  the  mouth  not 
knobbed;  feet  slender;  tarsus  rather  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  the  hinder  toe  a 
little  longer  than  the  outer  latenil,  which  slightly  exceeds  the  inner;  tlio  outer  claw 
reaching  the  base  of  the  middle  one,  and  half  as  long  as  its  toe;  claws  moderately 
curved;  tcrtiaries  and  secondaries  nearly  equal;  wing  somewhat  pointed,  reaching 
not  quite  to  the  middle  of  the  tail;  first  quill  a  little  shorter  than  the  second  and 
equal  to  the  fifth,  third  longest;  tail  rather  long,  moderately  forked,  and  divaricated 
at  the  tip;  the  feathers  rather  narrow ;  back  streaked;  rump  and  beneath  immacu- 
late; hood  generally  uniform. 

The  genus  differs  from  Zimotrkhia  in  the  smaller  size,  and  longer  and  forksd 
instead  of  rounded  tail. 


tl- 


SPIZELLA    MONTICOLA.  —  Baird. 

The  Tree  Sparrow. 

FringiUa  monticola,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1788)  012. 

Fringilla  Cttnadensia,  Audubon.     Orn.  Biog,,  II.  (1834)  511 ;  V.  604. 

FringiUa  arbwea,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  II.  (1810)  12. 


018 


OIINITIIOLOOY    AND   OOLOOY. 


DEsriiiiTio!*. 

Middle  of  Imck  with  the  frnlhern  dark-hrnwn  rontrnlly,  then  riifoin,  and  fd^Pil 
with  fmlwCiilvniiK  (nomofimc!!  with  whitish).  Ilnoil  niiil  up|MT  pint  nf  niipo  ccintiiiii- 
uun  ('lii'Hliiul ;  II  liiii^  t)(  (III!  nnini'  Irniii  lirhiiid  tint  I'vo;  ^iilcn  of  head  ami  ni'ck  a*hy; 
A  liioad  li;;hl  siipcrcili.iry  bniul ;  Ijiiicatli  whilhli,  with  a  cmnil  lirciilar  lilotch  of 
briiwnisli  ill  ihi^  iiiidilli)  of  .he  upper  purl  of  tlii!  I)ri'n«t;  im1j;i'«  of  tail  li'allicru,  pri- 
mnrytpiilln,  and  two  linnd*  ncroiw  the  tipn  of  the  gi'condarii'H,  white ;  tortiarii'ii  nearly 
blaik;  od^od  externally  with  riifoiiK,  turninn  to  white  near  the  tips;  lower  Jaw  yel- 
low ;  upper  liluck. 

Thin  Kpecii'H  varies  in  the  amount  of  whltifh  od);lng  to  tlie  quilN  and  tail. 

Length,  six  and  Iwenty-llvo  onc-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  inches. 

iiih.  —  F.ttotom  North  America  to  the  Missouri;  also  on  Pole  Creek  and  Llltit 
Colorado  Kivcr,  New  Mexico. 

This  species  occurs  in  Now  England  only  as  a  winter 
visitor.  It  arrives  from  tlio  North  about  the  lust  of  October, 
mid  remains  in  swamps  and  sheltered  thickets  through  the 
winter,  and  imtil  the  first  week  in  May.  While  with  us,  it 
is  gregarious,  and  often  visits  stubble-fields  and  gardens, 
whore  it  foods  upon  the  seeds  of  grasses  and  various  weeds. 
It  has,  at  this  season,  a  persistent  twitter,  which  is  uttered 
by  all  the  members  of  the  flock  at  short  intervals.  As  it 
sometimes  utters  a  sweet  soft  warble  in  the  spring,  it  un- 
doubtedly pos.ses.scs  quite  a  song  during  the  mating  season. 

It  is  not  impossible  that  this  bird  sometimes  breeds  in 
the  most  northern  sections  of  these  States ;  but  there  is  no 
authenticated  instance  on  record  of  its  doing  so.  The  bird 
alluded  to  in  the  "  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History"  (vol.  V.  p.  213)  was  undoubtedly  the 
Chipping  Sparrow. 

The  Treo  Sparrow  breeds,  according  to  Mr.  Hutchins, 
around  the  Hudson's  Bay  settlements.  "  Its  nest  is  placed 
in  the  h(!rl)age,  is  formed  externally  of  mud  and  dry 
grass,  and  lined  with  soft  hair  or  down,  —  probably  from 
plants, — in  the  manner  of  the  Yellow-bird."  The  eggs 
are  about  fi\e  in  number:  they  are  of  a  liiiht  grayish-bhie 
color,  and  are  marked  with  spots  and  blotches  of  two  shades 
of  brown  and  red.  To  compare  them  with  another  species, 
I  would  say  that  they  almost  exactly  resemble  sriiall  speci- 
mens of  the  eggs  of  the  common  Song  Sparrow.     They  are 


TlfK   F/KLl)  .SPAIIUOW. 


319 


oMito  or  ovoidiil  in  form,  and  average  about  .70  b)    .'0  inch 
ill  (limciisiuiis. 

SPIZELLA    fVSlLLK.-Bnnnpnrlt. 

Tbo  Field  Sparrow. 

Fnngilla  fnuilh,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  II.  (IHIH)  121;  And.  Orn.  ItioK  .  H.  i.nai) 
2bll. 

S/iizella piifilln,  Ilnnnporto.     Mat  (IH3H). 

FiinyiUa  jiman-um,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1H32)  400.      /«.  (2.1  td.,  1840),  677. 

Uebchiption. 

Hill  red;  crown  rontiniiniis  ruloiHrpd;  buck  nomcwlmt  similar,  dtrcakcd  with 
Ijjinkiiihi  BiduH  of  lipnd  and  neck  (including  a  supcrciliiiry  stripe)  ashy;  car  coverts 
niliMw;  bcncntli  white,  tinged  witli  yellowisli  anteriorly;  tail  feathers  and  quilll 
faintly  cdi,'ii(l  with  white;  two  white  bands  across  the  win^  coverts. 

This  species  is  about  the  size  of  S.  torialit,  but  is  more  rul'ous  above;  lacks  the 
hhick  forehead  and  cyc-stripo;  has  chestnut  cars  insteiul  of  a.'th;  has  the  bill  red 
instead  of  black;  lacks  the  clear  ash  of  the  rump;  has  a  longer  tail,  fee.  It  is 
nmre  like  Afmillcdtit,  but  is  much  smaller;  lacks  the  spot  on  the  breast  and  tlio 
predominance  of  white  on  the  wings,  &c.  The  young  have  the  breast  and  sides 
(Streaked. 

Length,  about  five  and  sovcnty-five  one  hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  thirty- 
four  one  hundredths  inches. 

Ildb.  —  Kastcm  North  America  to  the  Missouri  River. 

Tliis  bird  makes  its  appearance  about  the  first  week  in 
April,  in  Massachusetts,  and  soon  scatters  throughout  New 
England.  It  prefers  dry  bushy  pastures  and  low  open 
woods,  and  is  seldom  found  in  the  near  vicinage  of  human 
habitations. 

The  male  sings  during  the  season  of  incubation,  and, 
indeed,  through  nearly  all  the  summer :  mounted  on  a  low 
tree  or  fence-rail,  ho  utters  his  pleasing  yet  plaintive  ditty 
at  early  morning  and  evening,  and,  in  dark  and  cloudy 
weather,  through  the  whole  day.  The  song  is  a  peculiar 
warldc,  something  like  the  syllables,  'te  'ie  'cfe  ^de  ^de  *de  ^de 
\l  \l  ^d  dr,  uttered  at  first  low,  and  rapidly  increasing,  and 
then  decreasing  in  tone  to  a  fain  chatter,  something  like  the 
twitter  of  the  Chipping  Sparrow. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  the  fir.-^t  nest  is  built.    It  is  con 
structed  of  stalks  of  dried  grass  and  fine  twigs,  is  loosely 
put  together,  and  placed  usually  on  the  ground  beneath  a 


m 


R20 


ORNITIIOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


l)usli,  somotiinos  in  a  bush :  it  is  lined  with  fine  grass  and 
horsehairs.  Tlio  eggs  are  usually  four  in  numl)er :  they  arc 
of  a  grayisli-wliito  color,  with  thinly  scattered  spots  and 
blotches  of  reddish-brown  and  lavender ;  and  their  dimen- 
sions vary  from  .72  by  .52  to  .70  by  .50  inch.  Two  broods 
are  reared  in  tlie  season. 

Early  in  September,  these  birds  collect  in  loose  flocks, 
when  they  liave  all  tlio  habits  and  notes  of  the  Tree  Spai-- 
row.  In  October,  they  all  leave  New  England  for  the 
Soutli.    • 

SFIZELLA   SOCIALIS.  —  Bonaparte. 

The  Chipping  Sparrow;  Hair-bird. 

Fr'mijilln  socialis,  Wilson.  Am.  Orii.,  II.  (1810)  127;  And.  Cm.  Biog.,  II.  (18H4I 
21;  V.  517. 

Sjiiniles  sncialis,  Cabanis.     JIu3.  Ilpin.  (1851),  1.33. 

Description, 

Rump,  back  of  neck,  and  pides  of  neck  and  head,  ashy;  interscapular  region  with 
black  streaks,  maigined  with  palc-nubus;  crown  continuous  and  uiiifonn  chestnut; 
forehead  black,  .separated  in  the  middle  by  white;  a  white  streak  over  the  eye,  and 
a  black  one  from  the  base  of  the  bill  through  and  behind  the  eye;  under  parts  un- 
spotted whitish,  tinged  with  ashy,  especially  across  the  npper  breast;  tail  fi'athers 
and  primaries  edged  with  paler,  not  white;  two  narrow  white  bands  across  the  wing 
coverts;  bill  black. 

Length,  five  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  nearly  three  inches. 

Hah.  —  North  America,  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific. 

This  very  common  and  well-known  little  species  makes  ii  s 
appearance  in  Massachusetts  sometimes  as  early  as  the  25th 
of  March,^  usually  about  the  5th  of  April,  and  spreads 
throughout  New  England.  The  habits  are  so  well  known 
that  any  description  here  is  superfluous. 

About  the  fifteenth  of  May,  the  nest  is  built.  It  is 
placed  in  an  apple-tree  in  the  orchard,  or  in  a  lilac-busli 
under  the  windows  of  a  dwelling-house ;  and  I  found  nests 
in  low  juniper  bushes  in  the  deep  woods  in  Maine.     It  is 

1  I  am  indebted  for  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  this  and  of  many  other  birds  to 
Mr.  H.  A.  I'urdie,  of  Boston,  who  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  full  and  copious 
notes  ind  memoranda  on  the  arrival  of  species,  which  are  of  value,  having  been  con- 
ducted for  several  years. 


THE   SONG    SPARROW, 


".•) 


1 


constructed  of  fine  twigs  and  roots  and  grasses,  and  is  almost 
invariably  lined  witli  horsehairs ;  honce  its  name,  in  some 
localities,  of  "  Hair-bird,"  "  Hair  Sparrow."  The  eggs  are 
usually  five  in  number.  Tlieir  color  is  a  bluish-green  ;  and 
they  are  marl<ed  with  spots  and  lines  of  Idack  and  obscun;- 
hrown,  which  are  thickest  at  the  great  end  :  some  specimens 
have  these  spots  confluent  into  a  sort  of  ring.  The  dimen- 
sions vary  from  .74  by  .50  to  .70  by  .48  inch.  This  species 
is  the  most  often  chosen  by  the  parasitic  Cow-bird  as  a  parent 
for  its  young ;  and  many  ornithologists  account  by  this  fact 
for  its  persistent  fainiliarity  with  man. 

About  the  middle  of  October,  the  old  and  young  birds 
gather  into  small  flocks,  and  proceed  leisurely  on  the  south- 
ern migration. 

MELOSPIZA,  Baird. 

Body  stout;  bill  conical,  very  obsoletely  notched  or  smooth,  somewhat  com 
pressed;  lower  mandible  not  so  deep  as  the  upper;  commispure  nearly  straight ;  gonys 
a  little  curved;  feet  stout,  not  stretching  beyond  the  tail;  tarsus  a  little  longer 
than  the  middle  toe;  outer  toe  a  little  longer  than  the  inner,  its  claw  not  quite 
reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  one;  hind  toe  appreciably  longer  than  the  middle 
one;  wings  quite  short  and  rounded,  scarcely  reaching  beyond  the  base  of  the  tail; 
the  tertials  considerably  longer  than  the  secondaries;  tlie  quills  considerably  gradu- 
ated; the  fourth  longest;  the  first  not  longer  than  the  tertials,  and  almost  the  short- 
est of  the  primaries;  tail  moderately  long,  and  considerably  graduated;  the  feathers 
oval  at  the  tips;  crown  and  back  similar  in  color  and  streaked;  beneath  thiekir 
streaked;  tail  immaculate. 

This  genus  differs  from  Zonotrichia  in  shorter,  more  graduated  tail,  rather  longer 
hind  toe,  much  more  rounded  wing,  which  is  shorter;  the  tertiaries  longer;  the  first 
quill  almost  the  shortest,  and  not  longer  than  the  tertials.  The  under  parts  are 
spotted ;  the  crown  streaked  and  like  the  back. 


'.■'4 

*:3 


MELOSPIZA   HELOBIA.  — Bai'n/. 

The  Song  Sparrow. 

FringiUa  melodia,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  TI.  (1810)  125;  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1833i 
126;  V.  507, 

Desckiption, 

Genera'  tint  of  upper  parts  rufous-brown,  streaked  with  dark-brown  awl  ashy- 
gray;  the  crown  is  rufous,  with  a  superciliarj'  and  median  stripe  of  dull-gray,  the 
former  lighter;  nearly  white  anterinrly,  where  it  has  a  fiint  shade  of  yellow;  eacli 
feather  of  the  crown  with  a  narrow  streak  of  dark-brown;  interscapulars  dark- 
brown  in  the  centre,  tiien  rufous,  tlicn  grayish  on  the  margin;  rump  grayer  than 

2l" 


322 


OliNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


upper  tail  covertf,  both  with  ohsolcfe  dark  stroaks;  there  is  a  wliitish  maxillary 
5tripp,  bordered  alxjvif  and  helciw  by  one  of  dark  rufous-brown,  wifli  a  similar  one 
from  behind  the  eye;  the  under  parts  are  white;  the  breast  and  sides  of  body  and 
throat  streaked  wtli  dirk-rutbus,  with  a  still  darker  central  line;  on  the  middle  of 
the  breast,  these  marki<  are  rather  aggregated  so  as  to  form  a  spot ;  no  distinct  white 
on  tail  or  wings. 

Specimens  varj*  somewhat  in  having  the  streaks  across  the  breast  more  or  less 
sparse;  the  spot  more  or  less  distinct.  In  autumn,  the  colors  are  more  blended,  the 
light  maxilliiry  stripij  tinged  with  yellowish,  the  edges  of  the  dusky  streaks  suffincd 
witli  browni.sli-rufous. 

The  young  bird  has  the  upper  parts  paler,  th-  streaks  more  distinct,  the  lines  on 
tlie  head  scarcely  appreciable.  The  untler  parts  are  yellomsh;  the  streaks  narrower 
and  more  sharply  defined  dark-brown. 

Length  of  male,  six  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  fifty-eight 
(iiu'-lunidi'cdtbs;  tail,  three  inches. 

Hub.  — Eastern  United  States  to  the  high  central  plains. 

TIlis  beautiful  songster  is  one  of  the  most  common  and 
wcll-ltnown  of  our  summer  visitors.  It  arrives  from  about 
the  first  week  in  March  to  the  middle  of  that  month.  On 
its  first  appeai'ance,  it  prefers  the  low  tliickets  and  bushy 
woods,  where,  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  it  chants  its  beautiful 
song.  It  is  somewhat  gregarious  at  this  time,  and  is 
usually  found  in  flocks  of  half  a  dozen  individuals.  It  soon 
commences  mating ;  and,  after  a  short  season  of  courtship, 
both  l)irds  begin  building  their  first  nest.  This  is  about  the 
middle  of  April,  sometimes  earlier ;  and  I  have  found  the 
nest  with  eggs  when  there  was  an  inch  or  two  of  snow  on 
the  ground.  The  nest  is  usually  built  on  the  ground,  some- 
times in  a  low  bush,  and  occasionally  in  low  trees :  it  is 
constructed  of  stalks  and  leaves,  of  grasses  and  weeds,  and 
is  lined  with  softer  grasses  and  fine  weeds.  The  eggs  are 
four  or  five  in  number,  and  they  are  subject  to  great  varia- 
tions ill  form  and  markings:  they  exhibit  all  the  changes 
from  grayish  to  bluish-white,  with  spots,  thinly  scattered, 
of  I'cddish-brown,  to  confluent  blotches  of  umber-brown, 
thickest  at  the  greater  end.  Their  dimensions  vary  from 
.94  by  .64  to  .78  by  .62  inch.  Four  eggs  in  one  nest 
measure  .94  by  .64,  .81  by  M,  .80  by  .58,  .78  by  .62. 
inch.  Two  broods,  and  sometimes  three,  are  reared  in  the 
season. 


Till-;    SWAMP    Sl'AHUOW.  o2o 

There  has  been  considerable  discussion  amonjr  oniitliolo- 
gists  regarding  this  bird  ;  and  many  arc  of  tlie  belief,  that, 
from  its  irregular  habits,  there  are  two  species  found  in 
N\w  England.  I  have  examined  with  great  care  many 
specimens,  and  have  attentively  observed  their  habits,  and 
think  that  it  yet  remains  to  be  proved  that  we  have  more 
than  one  species.  Late  in  October,  this  species  assembles  in 
small  detached  flocks,  and  leaves  New  England  for  its 
southern  home. 


MELOSPIZA  PALUSTEIS.— BatVrf. 

Tho  Swamp  Sparrow. 

FringiUa  palmtris,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  HI.  (1811)  49.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I. 
(1831)  331;  V.  608. 

Fnnqilla  (Amnmlromut)  Georgiana,  Nuttall.    M.in.,  I.  (2(1  ed.,  1840)  588. 

Dkscriition. 

Middle  of  the  crowr.  uniform  chestnut;  forehead  black;  superciliary  streak, 
pides  of  head  and  back  and  sides  of  neck,  ash;  a  brown  stripe  behind  the  eye;  back 
broadly  streaked  with  black ;  beneath  whitish,  *inged  with  ashj'  anteriorly,  espe- 
cially across  (be  breast,  and  washed  with  yellowish-brown  on  the  sides;  a  few  obso- 
lete streaks  across  the  breast,  which  become  distinct  on  its  sides ;  wings  and  tail 
strongly  tinged  with  rufous;  the  tertials  black,  the  rufous  edgings  changing 
abruptlj'  to  white  towards  tlio  end. 

Female  with  the  crown  scarcely  reddish  streaked  with  black,  and  divided  by  a 
light  line. 

In  autumn  the  male  of  this  species  has  the  feathers  of  the  crown  each  with  a 
black  streak ;  and  the  centre  of  the  crown  with  an  indistinct  light  stripe,  materially 
changing  its  appearance. 

The  forehead  is  usually  more  or  less  streaked  with  black. 

Length,  five  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  two  and  forty  one- 
hundredlhs  inches. 

Uab.  —  Eastern  United  States  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Missouri. 

This  bird,  although  not  rare,  is  not  so  common  as  the 
preceding.  It  is  about  equally  distributed  throughout  New 
England,  and  breeds  in  all  these  States.  It  arrives  from 
tlic  South  about  the  first  week  in  April  in  Massachusetts ; 
in  Maine,  about  a  fortnight  later.  It  prefers  the  swampy 
localities  to  all  others,  and  is  seldom  found  at  any  distance 
from  such  places.  The  nest  is  built  about  the  10th  of  May. 
It  is  constructed  of  leaves  of  grass  and  fine  hair-like  roots. 


■I 


*.:i* 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND    OOLOGV 


and  lined  with  finer  of  the  same :  these  arc  adjusted  into  n 
loose  fabric,  and  placed  in  or  be.icath  a  tussock  of  grass  in 
a  swamp.  I  have  known  of  instances  of  its  being  fonnd 
in  a  low  barl)crry-l)ush  ;  but  such  cases  are  extremely  rare, 
and  form  exceptions  to  the  rule.  The  eggs  are  four  or  five 
in  number:  their  color  is  a  grayish-white,  with  sometin\cs  a 
bluish  tint,  and  marked  witli  thinly  scattered  spots  of  biowu 
over  tlie  entire  surface,  except  a  circle  around  the  greater 
end,  where  they  ai-c  confluent,  and  hide  tlie  primary  color. 
Dimensions  of  a  number  in  my  cabinet  vary  from  .80 
by  ..')8  to  .76  by  .54  inch.  Two  broods  are  reared  in  the 
season. 

Wilson,  m  describing  the  general  habits  of  this  species, 
says, — 

"  It  is  one  of  our  summer  visitants,  arriving  in  Pennsylvania 
early  in  April ;  frequenting  low  grounds  and  river  courses ;  rearing 
two,  and  sometimes  three,  broods  in  a  season  ;  and  returning  to  the 
South  as  soon  as  the  cold  weather  commences.  The  immense 
cypress  swamps  and  extensive  grassy  flats  of  the  Southern  States, 
that  border  their  numerous  rivers,  and  the  rich  rice  plantations, 
al)ounding  with  their  favorite  seeds  and  sustenarice,  —  appear  to 
be  the  general  winter  resort  and  grand  annual  rendezvous  of  this 
and  all  the  other  species  of  Sparrow  that  remain  wilh  is  during 
summer.  From  the  river  Trent  in  North  Carolir  ■  •. ;  /;hat  of 
Savannah,  and  still  farther  south,  I  found  this  species  .  .-ry  numer- 
ous ;  not  flying  in  flocks,  but  skulking  among  the  canes,  reeds,  and 
grass,  seeming  shy  and  timorous,  and  more  attached  to  the  water 
than  any  other  of  their  tribe.  In  the  month  of  April,  numbers 
pass  through  Peimsylvania  to  the  northward ;  which  I  conjecture 
from  the  circumstance  of  finding  them  at  that  season  in  particular 
l)arts  of  the  woods,  where,  during  the  rest  of  the  year,  tlioy  are 
not  to  be  seen.  The  few  that  remain  frequent  the  swamps  and 
reedy  borders  of  our  creeks  and  rivers.  They  form  their  nest  in 
the  '.;.'ound,  sometimes  in  a  tussock  of  rank  grass  surrounded  by 
water,  and  lay  four  eggs,  of  a  dirty-white,  spotted  with  rufous.  So 
late  as  the  loth  of  August,  I  have  seen  them  feeding  their  young 
that  were  scarcely  able  to  fly.     Their  principal  food  is  grass  seeds, 


it.!i*rtf 


THE   FOX-COLOBED   SPARROW. 


3Jo 


wild  oats,  .and  insects.  They  have  no  song ;  are  distinguished  liy  a 
single  cliip  or  cheep,  uttered  in  a  rather  hoarser  tone  ihaii  that  of 
the  Song  Sparrow ;  fiirt  tiie  Uiil  as  they  Hy  ;  seldom  or  never  take 
to  the  trees,  but  skulk  from  one  low  bush  or  swampy  thicket  to 
another." 


Sub-Family  PASsEUELLiNiE.  —  The  Buntinyi. 

Toes  and  tl.iws  very  Btout ;  the  lateral  claws  reaching  beyond  tlie  middle  of  tne 
middle  one;  all  very  slightly  curved. 

Bill  conical,  the  outlines  straight;  both  mandibles  eqtal;  wings  long,  longer 
tlian  the  even  tail,  reaching  nearly  to  the  middle  of  its  exposed  portion;  hind  claw 
longer  than  its  digit;  its  toe  nearly  as  long  as  the  middle  toe;  tarsus  longer  than 
tlie  middle  toe;  brown  above,  either  uniformly  so  or  faintly  streaked ;  triangular 
Bpottj  below. 

PASSERELLA,  Swainson. 

Pdssei'eUa,  Swainson,  Class.  Birds,  II.  (1837)  288.  (Type  Friny'dla  iiiucit, 
Merrem.) 

Body  .stout;  bill  conical,  not  notched,  the  outlines  straight;  the  two  jr.ws  of 
equal  depth;  roof  of  upper  mandible  deeply  excavated,  and  vaulted,  not  knobbed; 
tavsus  scarcely  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  outer  toe  little  longer  than  the  inner,  its 
claw  reaching  to  the  middle  of  the  central  one;  hind  toe  about  equal  to  the  inner 
lateral;  the  claws  all  long,  and  moderately  curved  only;  the  posterior  rather  longer 
than  the  middle,  and  equal  to  its  toe;  wings  long,  pointed,  reaching  to  the  middle 
of  the  tail ;  the  tertials  not  longer  than  secondaries ;  second  and  third  quills  longest ; 
first  <;qual  to  the  filth;  tail  very  nearly  even,  scarcely  longer  than  thawing;  inner 
claw  contained  scarcely  one  and  a  half  times  in  its  toe  proper. 

Colw.  —  Rufous  or  slaty ;  obsoletely  streaked  or  uniform  above;  thickly  spotted 
with  triangular  blotches  beneath. 


-■J 


PASSEBELIiA  ILIACA.  —  Swaimm. 

The  Fox-colored  Sparrow, 

Fringilla  ilinca,  Audubon.    Oni.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  58;  V.  512. 
Passerella  iliaca,  Swainson.    Birds,  II.  (1837)  288. 
Frinyilla  i-ufa,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  III.  (1811)  58. 

Desciuption. 
Middle  of  the  back  dull-ash,  each  feather  with  a  large  blotch  of  brownish-red; 
top  of  head  and  neck,  with  rump,  similar,  but  with  smaller  and  more  obsolete 
blotches ;  upper  tail  coverts,  with  exposed  surface  of  wings  and  tail,  bright-rufous ; 
bsneath  white,  with  the  upper  part  of  the  breast  and  sides  of  throat  and  body  with 
triangular  spots  of  rufous,  and  a  few  smaller  ones  of  blackish  on  the  middle  of  th« 


:52n 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


4 


l)ii',i>t;  inner  vH'^cn  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  tinged  with  rnfons-pink;  no  light  lines 
nn  till!  Iicad,  but  a  patch  of  r'.fous  on  the  cheeks;  first  quill  ruthcr  less  thun  the 
fitUi;  hind  toe  about  e(|uai  to  its  claw;  sometimes  tlie  entire  head  above  is  reddish, 
like  tlie  hack. 

Length,  about  seven  and  fifty  onf-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  fifty  oue- 
hundredths  inches. 

Hub.  —  Eastern  United  States  to  the  Mississippi. 

This  beautiful  Sparrow  is  very  abundant  iu  spring  and 
autumn  in  Now  England,  arriving  in  spi'ing  early  in  March, 
and  de[)arting  for  the  North  by  the  third  week  in  April ;  and 
arriving  in  autumn  from  the  North  about  the  10th  of  Octo- 
ber, ajid  departing  for  the  South  late  in  November.  While 
with  us,  it  remains  in  low,  moist  thickets  and  woody  pas- 
tures ;  and  occasionally  visits  tlie  stubl)le-fields  and  gardens, 
where  it  busies  itself  in  searching  among  the  dead  leaves 
and  weeds  for  its  food  of  seeds  and  insects.  It  generally 
has,  while  in  New  England,  only  a  short,  lisping  note,  occa- 
sionally a  pretty  warble  ;  but  it  is  said  to  have  in  its  northern 
home  a  boautifil  song,  that  is  excelled  by  that  of  hardly 
any  other  specie?.  Aulnbon,  in  describing  the  nest  and 
eggs,  say3,  "  The  nest  of  the  Fox-colored  Sparrow,  which 
is  large  for  the  she  of  the  bird,  is  usually  placed  on  the 
ground,  among  mosti  or  tall  grass,  near  the  stem  of  a,  creep- 
ing fir,  the  branches  of  which  compljfcly  conceal  it  from 
view.  Its  outside  is  loosely  tnrmed  of  dry  grass  and  moss, 
with  a  carefully  disposed  inner  layer  of  finer  grasses,  circu- 
larly arranged ;  and  the  lining  consists  of  very  delicate 
fibrous  roots,  together  with  some  feathers  from  ditFerent 
species  of  water-fowls.  The  period  at  whicli  the  eggs  are 
laid  is  from  the  middle  of  June  to  the  5th  of  July.  They 
are  proportionally  '.arge,  lour  or  five  in  nurabei,  rathei 
sharp  at  the  smaller  end,  of  ;i  dull-greenish  tint,  sprinkled 
with  irregular  small  l)lotchP?.  of  brown."  Their  dimensiona 
average  about  .86  Sy  .62  inch. 


A 


THE    BLACK-TUUOATED    BUNTING. 


•Jarl  I 


Suh-Fainily  Si'iziNyE. 

Rill  variable,  always  large,  much  arched,  and  with  the  culmeu  coiitiidurald^ 
curved;  nometimcs  of  enormous  size,  and  with  a  great  development  bacl.wurds  of 
the  lower  jaw,  which  is  always  appreciably,  eomeiimcs  considerably,  broader  behind 
than  the  upper  juw  nt  its  base;  nostrils  exposed;  tail  rather  variable,  bill  generally 
black  or  red;  wings  shorter  than  in  the  first  group;  gape  almost  always  i  luch  moro 
strongly  bristled;  few  of  the  species  sparrow-like  or  plain  in  appearauik. ;  usually 
blue,  red,  or  black  and  white;  seldom  (or  never?)  streaked  beneath. 


EUSPIZA,  BoNAPAKTK. 

Empiza,  Bonafartk,  List  (1838).     (Type  Eviheriza  Americana,  Oni.; 

Bill  large  and  strong,  swollen,  and  without  any  ridges;  the  lower  mandible 
nearly  as  high  as  the  upper;  as  broad  at  the  base  as  the  length  of  the  gonys,  and 
considerably  broader  than  the  upper  mandible;  the  edges  much  inflexed,  and  shut- 
ting much  within  the  upper  mantible;  the  commissure  considerably  angulated  ul 
the  base,  then  decidedly  sinuated;  the  tarsus  barely  equal  to  the  middle  toe;  the 
lateral  toes  nearly  equal,  not  reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  claw;  the  hind  toe 
about  equal  to  the  middle  one  without  its  claw;  the  wings  long  and  acute,  reaching 
nearly  to  the  middle  of  the  tail;  the  tertials  decidedly  longer  than  the  secondaries, 
but  much  shorter  than  the  primaries;  first  quill  longest,  the  others  regularly  gradu- 
ated; tail  considerably  shorter  than  the  wings,  though  moderately  long,  nearly  even, 
although  slightly  cmarginate;  the  outer  feathers  scarcely  shorter;  middle  of  back 
only  striped;  beneath  without  streaks. 

EUSPIZA  AHEBICANA.  —  Bmaparte. 

The  Black-throated  Bunting^. 

Emberiza  Atnerkana,  Gmelin.  Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1788)  872.  Wils  Am.  Orn.,  III. 
(1811)  86.     Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  579. 

Empiza  Amencnnn,  iionai>arte.     List  (1838).     (Type.)     /A.,  Consp.  (1S50)  469. 
Euspina  Americana,  Cabanis.    Mus.  Hein.  (1851).  133.     (Type.) 

Deschiition. 

.\fale.  —  Sides  of  the  head,  nnd  sides  and  back  of  the  neck,  ash ;  crown  tinged  with 
yellowish-green  and  faintly  streaked  with  dusky;  a  superciliary  and  short  maxillary 
line,  middle  of  the  breast,  axillaries,  and  edge  of  the  wing,  yellow;  chin,  loval 
region,  spots  on  sides  of  throat,  belly,  and  under  tail  coverts  white;  a  bliick  patdi 
on  the  throat  diminishing  to  the  breast,  and  a  spot  on  the  upper  part  of  the  belly; 
wing  coverts  chestnut;  interscapular  region  streaked  with  black;  rest  of  back 
immaculate. 

Female  with  the  markings  less  distinctlj'  indicated;  the  black  of  the  brea-t 
replaced  by  a  black  maxillary  line  and  a  streaked  collar  in  the  yellow  of  the  uppi-t 
port  of  the  breast. 

Length,  about  six  and  seventy  one-hundredths  inches ;  wing,  three  and  liily  '.ne- 
hundredths  inches. 

Jfab.  —  United  States  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  border  of  the  high  central  plains. 


'      i 
ft?* 


328 


OllNITIIOLOUY    AND   OOLOUV. 


-•I 

-t 
4 


^ 


Tliis  bird  can  bo  roj^nrdctl  only  as  an  cxtruincly  rare 
bdninnji-  visitor  in  Now  England,  Massacluisotts  a|)})arontly 
boing  its  noitlicrn  limit.  J  iiavc  lu'iird  ol"  two  or  tbri'o 
8pccinicn8  boing  found  in  this  State,  and  it  is  possible  that 
otliors  may  have  occurrod  bore. 

The  nost  of  this  spocios  is  placed  on  the  ground,  usually 
in  a  dry  j)asturc  or  field,  and  most  generally  beneath  a  tuft 
of  grass  or  a  small  bush.  It  is  loosely  constructed  of  grass 
and  fine  roots  arranged  circularly,  and  with  a  finer  lining. 
The  eggs  are  four  in  number:  they  are  of  an  ovoidal  shape, 
and  are  but  little  pointed.  Their  dimensions  vary  from  .82 
by  .GO  incli  to  .79  by  .58  inch :  their  color  is  a  delicate 
greenish-blue,  without  spots  or  markings. 

I  have  had  no  opportunities  for  observing  the  habits  of 
this  bird,  and  can  present  nothing  of  value  with  relation  to 
them. 

GUIRACA,  SwAiNsoN. 

Guiraca,  Swainsos,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (Nov.,  1827)  350.  (Tj'pe  Loxia  cmrulea,  L.) 
Bill  very  large,  nearly  us  lii{,'h  as  long;  the  culincn  curved,  with  a  rather  sharp 
ridge;  the  commissure  conspicuously  angulated  Just  below  the  nostril,  the  posterior 
leg  of  the  angle  nearly  as  long  as  the  anterior,  both  nearly  straight;  lower  jaw 
deeper  than  the  upper,  and  extending  much  behind  the  f'lreheiid;  the  width  greater 
than  the  length  of  the  rinys,  considerably  wider  than  the  upper  jaw;  a  prominent 
knob  ia  tlie  roof  of  the  i -mth;  tnrsi  shorter  than  the  middle  toe;  the  outer  toe  a 
little  Vmger,  reaching  not  quite  to  the  base  of  the  middle  claw;  hind  toe  rather 
longrrf  than  to  this  base;  wings  long,  reaching  the  middle  oi  .he  tail;  the  seconda- 
ries ttnd  tertiuls  nearly  equal ;  the  second  quill  longest ;  the  lirst  less  than  the  fourth ; 
tail  ^'e^}•  nearly  even,  shorter  than  the  wings. 


^ 


GDIBACA  LUDOVICIANA.  —  Hwamson. 

The  Rose>breasted  Grosbeak. 

L"xin  Ludoviciana,  Linnoius.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1786)806.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  II. 
(1810)  135. 

Guiraca  Lwhviciana,  Swainson.     Phil.  Mag.,  I.  (1827)  438. 
Frinyilla  L'ldoviciana,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  166;  V.  513. 

Deschiption. 

Upper  parts  generally,  with  head  and  neck  all  roimd,  glossy  black ;  a  broau 
crescent  across  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  extending  narrowly  down  to  the  belly, 
axillaries,  and  under  wing  coverts,  carmine;  restof  under  parts,  rump,  and  upper  tail 
coverts,  middle  wing  coverts,  spots  on  the  tertiaries  and  inner  great  wing  coverts, 


acarulea,  L.) 
.  ratllur  sliarp 

the  posterior 
it;  lower  jaw 
width  greater 
;  a  prominent 
le  outer  toe  a 
ind  toe  rather 

tlie  seconda- 
an  the  fourtli ; 


km.  Orn.,  II. 


::3 


RosK-BUKAsTKi)   Gkosbka"     Guiraca  ludovicianti.     bwainson. 


:.-A 


M 

m 


THE   KOMK-BIIEASTEO   0R08BEAK. 


321> 


haxal  liair  of  |iriinaricn  uinl  .scciindnrit's,  and  u  large  imtcli  on  the  ends  of  the  inmi 
«rlis  of  tliu  (iiilcr  Ihri'o  tail  foalluTs,  jiurc-wliitc 

Fei<ia!i>,  witliuut  ttiu  whitu  ut'  iiuilU,  tail,  and  rump,  anil  wilhoiit  any  black  ut 
red;  tttx.ve  yellowmh-brown  stri'akod  with  ilarker;  hiad  with  a  cvntrul  stripr  above, 
gnil  a  supiaci'iry  un  uacli  side,  whitu;  beneath  dirty-white,  Htnuiked  with  brown  on 
llie  l)rea.--t  ami  fides;  under  win);  covert:*  and  axillarlei  Hall'ron-yellow. 

In  tho  mule,  the  black  feathum  of  th«  baik  and  Mvs  of  the  uuLk  liave  a  Rubler- 
niiiial  white  bar:  there  are  a  few  black  spots  on  the  aidea  of  the  breant  juHt  below 
the  red, 

The  yuung  male  of  the  year  is  like  the  female,  vxcf  pt  in  having  the  axillarieH, 
under  wing  covertM,  and  a  trace  of  a  patch  on  the  breaat,  light  ro»e-rud. 

The  tint  of  carmine  on  the  under  parts  varies  u  good  deal  in  ditl'urent  specimens. 

Length,  eight  and  lifty  one-hundrcdths  inches;  wing,  four  and  Otleen  one-hun- 
dredths  inches. 

JM), — Eastern  United  States  to  the  Missouri  plains,  south  to  Guatemala. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  a  not  very  coimnoii  summer  iiihnbi- 
ttuit  of  New  England.  It  seems  to  be  pn^tty  generally  dis- 
tributed, but  is  in  no  loeality  plenty.  It  arrives  about  tho 
first  week  in  May  in  tho  southern  districts  of  those  States, 
and  a  fortnight  later  in  tlio  northern  sections.  It  prefers 
the  neighborhood  of  a  swamp,  and  is  most  often  found  in 
low  growths  of  birches  and  alders.  The  nest  is  jjlaccd 
in  low  shrubs  and  trees,  often  in  the  barberry-busli  and 
alder,  usually  in  the  deop  woods,  sometimes  in  a  pasture. 
It  is  loosely  constructed  of  twigs  and  roots,  and  lined  with 
grass  and  hair-like  roots,  and  sometimes  a  few  leaves.  Tho 
eggs  are  usually  four  in  number,  more  often  less  than 
more.  Their  ground-color  is  a  greenish-blue  :  this  is  irregu- 
larly covered  with  fine  spots  and  dashes  of  umber-brown, 
thickest  at  the  greater  end  of  the  egg.  Dimensions  vary 
from  1  by  .74  to  .90  by  .70  inch.  One  brood  only  is  reared 
in  tho  season  hi  New  England.  I  am  aware  that  this 
description  differs  from  those  which  have  been  written  of  the 
nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  ;  ^  but  it  is  correct.  I  have  had  o 
number  of  the  eggs,  and  have  seen  several  of  the  nests, 
tliese  were  invariably  of  the  above  description,  and  differed 
in  no  essential  particular,  though  from  various  localities. 

1  According  to  Bonaparte,  its  nest  is  concealed  amidst  the  thick  foliage  of  tlie 
ihady  forest ,  externally,  it  is  composed  of  twigs,  and  lined  with  slender  grass ;  and 
the  eggs  are  four  or  tive,  white,  spotted  with  brown.  —  Nuttall» 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

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330 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


The  habits  of  this  bird  arc  pretty  well  known.  It  is  a 
very  fine  songster,  and  is  hardly  excelled  by  any  of  oiir 
other  species ;  its  notes  being  uttered,  not  only  through  tlio 
day,  but  also  during  the  night,  as  I  have  heard  on  several 
occasions.  Tho  song  is  difficult  of  description :  it  is  a 
sweet  warble,  with  various  emphatic  passages,  and  some- 
times a  plaintive  strain,  exceedingly  tender  and  affecting. 

The  Grosbeai<  feeds  upon  the  seeds  of  the  birches  and 
alders,  which  it  obtains  very  expertly.  It  also  is  very  fond 
of  vai'ious  berries  and  buds,  and  it  occasionally  searches 
aijiong  the  fallen  leaves  for  insects  and  worms. 

After  the  young  birds  have  become  capable  of  providing 
for  themselves,  the  whole  family  sometimes  visit  the  orchards 
and  gardens,  where  they  eat  a  few  berries  and  currants. 
By  the  middle  of  September,  thoy  proceed  leisurely  ou  their 
southern  migration. 


CYANOSPIZA,  Bauid. 

Passeriltn,  Vieillot,  Analyse  (1816).    Xot  of  Linnasus;  used  in  Botany. 

Cyanotjnza,  Baiuv.    (Type  Tanat/ra  cyanea,  L.) 

Bill  deep  at  the  base,  compressed;  the  upper  outline  considerably  curved ;  the 
commissure  rather  concave,  with  an  obtuse,  shallow  lobe  in  the  middle;  gonys 
slightly  curved ;  t'cct  niodcrate;  tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe;  tho  outer  lateral 
toe  barely  lunger  th:in  the  inucr,  its  claw  falling  short  of  the  base  of  the  middle; 
hind  toe  about  equal  to  the  middle  without  claw;  claws  all  much  curved,  acute; 
wings  lung  and  pointed,  reaching  nearly  to  tho  itiddle  of  the  tail;  the  second  and 
third  quills  longest;  tail  appreciably  shorter  than  the  wings,  rather  narrow,  very 
nearly  even. 

The  species  of  this  genus  are  all  of  very  small  size  and  of  showy  plumage, 
urually  blue,  red,  or  green,  in  well-defined  areas. 


CYANOSPIZA   CYAHEA Baird. 

The  Indigo-bird. 

Tanagra  cyanea,  Limiseus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  815. 

FringiUa  cyanea.    Wils.,  I.  (1810)  100;  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1832)  877;  V.  503. 

Description. 
Male.  —  Blue,  tinged  with  ultramarine  on  the  head,  throat,  and  middle  of  breast ; 
elsewhere  with  verdigris-green;  lores  and  anterior  angle  of  chin  velvet-block;  wing 
feathers  brown,  edged  externally  with  dull  bluish-brown. 


THE   INDIGO-BIRD. 


301 


of  showy  plumage, 


(1832)  877;  V.  503. 


Fetnale.  —  Brown  above ;  whitisli,  obscurely  streaked  or  blotched  with  brownish- 
yellow  beneath ;  immature  males  similar,  variously  blotched  with  blue. 

Length,  about  live  aud  seventy-Qvo  one-huiilredtha  inches;  wing,  nearly  tliruu 
inches. 

Ilab.  —  ICastem  United  States  to  the  M:'<sou:i,  south  to  Guatemala. 

This  beautiful  species  is  pretty  generally  distributed 
throughout  New  England  as  a  summer  visitor,  and  is  rather 
common  in  thickly  settled  districts.  It  arrives  from  the 
south  about  the  10th  of  May,  aud  soon  mates  aud  selects  its 
liomc  for  the  ensuing  summer.     Says  Nuttall,  — 

"  Though  naturally  shy,  active,  and  suspicious,  they  still,  at  this 
interesting  period  of  procreation,  resort  chiefly  to  the  precincts  of 
habitations,  around  which  they  are  far  more  common  than  in  the 
solitary  woo<ls,  g^ieking  their  borders,  or  the  thickets  by  the  sides  of 
the  road ;  but  their  favorite  resort  is  the  garden,  where,  from  the 
topmost  bough  of  some  tall  tree,  which  commands  the  whole  wide 
landscape,  the  male  regularly  pours  out  liis  lively  chant,  and 
continues  it  for  a  considerable  length  of  time.  Nor  is  this  song 
confined  to  the  cool  and  animating  dawn  of  morning;  but  it  is 
renewed  and  still  more  vigorous  during  the  noonday  heat  of  sum- 
mer. This  lively  strain  seems  composed  of  a  repetition  of  short 
notes,  commencing  loud  and  rapid,  and  then,  slowly  falling,  they 
descend  almost  to  a  whisper,  succeeded  by  a  silent  interval  of  about 
half  a  minute,  when  the  song  is  again  continued  as  before.  The 
most  common  of  these  vocal  expressions  sounds  like,  tshe  tshe 
tshe  —  tshe  tshee  tshee  —  tshe  tshe  tshe.  The  middle  syllables  are 
uttered  lispingly  in  a  very  peculiar  manner,  aud  the  three  last 
gradually  fall :  sometimes  it  is  varied  and  shortened  into  tshea 
fshea  tshea  tshreh,  the  last  sound  being  sometimes  doubled.  This 
shorter  song  is  usually  uttered  at  the  time  that  the  female  is 
engaged  in  the  cares  of  incubation,  or  as  the  brood  already  appear, 
and  when  too  great  a  display  of  his  music  might  endanger  the 
retiring  security  of  his  family." 

The  Indigo-bird  commences  building  about  the  last  of 
May.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  low  bushes,  often 
bramble  and  brier  bushes,  usually  near  houses  and  gar- 
dens: it  is  constructed  of  coarse  sedge  grass,  some  withered 


332 


OllNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


leaves,  and  lined  with  fine  stalks  uf  the  same  and  the  slen- 
der hair-like  tops  of  the  bent  grass  (^agrostis^,  with  a  very 
few  cow-hairs,  though  sometimes  they  make  a  substantial 
lining  of  hair.  The  eggs  are  four  or  live  in  number;  and 
their  color  is  a  nearly  pure  white,  sometimes  with  a  bluish 
tint.  In  a  large  number  in  my  collection  from  L.  E.  Rick- 
seeker,  of  Pennsylvania,  a  few  have  scattered  blotches  of 
reddish-brown.  Their  size  varies  from  .80  by  .(jO  to  .70  by 
.52  inch.  But  one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season  in  New 
England. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  the  whole  family  leaves 
New  England,  and  winters  in  tropical  America. 


PIPUO,  ViKILLOT. 

Pipilo,  ViKILLOT,  Analyse  (1816)  Agassiz.  (Type  FrimjUla  erythrophthcdma, 
Linn.) 

Bill  rather  stout;  the  culiuen  gently  curved,  the  gonys  nearly  straight;  the  com- 
missure gently  concave  with  a  decided  notch  near  the  end;  the  lower  jaw  not  so 
deep  as  the  upper,  not  as  wide  as  the  gonys  is  lung,  but  wider  than  the  base  of  the 
upper  mandible ;  feet  large,  the  tarsus  as  long  or  a  little  longer  than  the  middle 
toe;  the  outer  lateral  toe  a  little  the  longer,  and  reaching  a  little  beyond  the  baee 
of  the  middle  claw ;  the  hind  claw  about  equal  to  its  toe ;  the  two  together  about 
equal  to  the  outer  toe;  claws  all  stout,  compressed,  and  moderately  curved;  wings 
reaching  about  to  the  end  of  the  upper  tail  coverts;  short  and  rounded,  though  the 
primal  ies  are  considerably  longer  than  the  nearly  equal  secondaries  and  tertials; 
the  outer  four  quills  ure  graduated ;  the  first  considerably  shorter  than  the  second, 
and  about  as  long  as  the  secondaries;  tail  considerably  longer  than  the  wings; 
modcratelv  oraduated  externally;  the  feathers  rather  broad;  most  rounded  o£f  on 
the  inner  webs  at  the  end. 

The  colors  vary;  the  upper  parts  are  generally  uniform  black  or  brown;  the 
under  white  or  brown;  no  central  streaks  on  the  feathers.  The  hood  sometimes 
differently  colored. 

The  essential  characters  of  the  genus  are  in  the  curved  culmen  and  commissure; 
the  strong  feet;  the  outer  toe  rather  longer  than  the  inner;  the  wings  rounded,  but 
the  primaries  decidedly  longer  than  the  od.ers;  the  outer  four  quills  considerably 
graduated,  but  the  first  usually  not  shorter  than  the  secondaries.  The  graduated 
tail  longer  than  the  wings. 


PIPILO   EHTTHBOPHTHALMUS.— Het^fot. 

The  Ground  Eobin;  Towbee;  Chewink. 

FringiUa  eryikrophihalma,  Linnseus.    Syst.  Nat,,  I.  (1786)  318 ;  Aud.  Om.  Biog. 
I.  (1832)  161 ;  V.  611. 


THE   GROUND   ROBIN. 


83JJ 


limber ;  and 


Emhei-hn  enjlhmphthnlma,  Gmclin.  Syst.  Nat,  I.  (176S',  874;  Wild.  Am.  Om., 
VI.  (1812)  itO. 

Pi/rilh  enjthrnphlhnlmui,  Vicillnt.     CJal.  Ois.,  I.  (1824)  109. 

DESCitimoy. 

Upper  parts  generally,  head  and  neck  all  round,  and  upper  part  of  the  hrea«t, 
Ijlossy  black,  abruptly  defined  against  the  pure  white  which  extend.s  to  the  anu.*, 
but  is  hounded  on  ihe  sides  and  under  the  wings  by  light-chestnut;  under  coverts 
similar  to  sides,  but  paler;  edges  of  outer  six  primaries  with  white  at  the  ba.se  and 
on  the  middle  of  the  outer  web;  inner  two  fcrtiaries  also  edged  externally  with 
white ;  tail  feathers  black ;  outer  web  of  the  first,  with  the  ends  of  the  first  to  the 
third  white,  decreasing  from  the  exterior  one.  Female  with  the  black  replaced  by 
brown ;  iris  red. 

Length,  eight  and  seventy-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and  seventy- 
five  onc-huiidredths;  tail,  four  and  ten  one-hundredths  inches. 


Wl  iH 


1  erylhrophthalma, 


i;  Aud.Ora.Biog 


This  beautiful  and  well-i<nowii  species,  although  common 
in  Massachusetts  and  the  other  southern  New-England 
States,  is  rare  in  the  three  northern.  It  begins  to  grow 
scarce  in  the  northern  districts  of  Massachusetts ;  and,  before 
we  have  passed  fifty  miles  beyond  its  northern  limits,  it  is 
very  rarely  seen.  It  makes  its  appearance  about  the  20th 
of  April,  the  males  preceding  the  females  by  a  week  or  ten 
days.  As  soon  as  the  females  arrive,  the  pairing  season 
commences.  Tlie  male,  perched  on  a  low  limb  of  a  tree  or 
high  bush,  chants  his  pleasing  song,  sometimes  for  half  an 
hour  at  a  time :  this  song  resembles  the  syllables,  tow-h^e 
^che  '1e  ^de  ^de  ^de,  uttered  at  first  slowly  and  plaintively,  and 
quickly  increased  in  volume  and  rapidity  of  utterance.  He 
has  also  a  sort  of  qiiavering  warble  difficult  of  description. 
If  he  is  approached,  he  watches  the  intruder,  and,  after 
ascertaining  iiis  business,  utters  his  note  tow-hee,  and  pro- 
ceeds his  search  among  the  fallen  leaves  for  his  favorite  food 
of  worms,  insects,  and  seeds,  which  he  is  almost  continually 
scratching  for  among  the  dead  vegotatioi;. 

About  the  second  week  in  May,  the  birds  commence  build- 
ing. The  locality  usually  chosen  is  in  low,  thick  woods, 
or  in  thickets  of  briers  and  bushes  near  streams  of  water, 
in  which  places  this  species  is  most  often  found.  Tlie  nest 
is  placed  on  the  ground,  usually  beneath  a  bunch  of  grass, 


iii 


334 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


or  in  a  pile  of  old  brush  and  fagots :  it  is  constructed  of 
fine  twigs,  leaves,  and  grasses,  and  is  lined  with  fine  leaves 
of  grasses,  and  sometimes  a  few  hair-lilcc  roots. 

The  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number.  Their  groiuid  color 
varies  from  grayish  to  reddish-white:  this  is  covered,  over 
the  entire  surface,  with  fine  dots  and  points  of  reddi.sh- 
brown :  in  some  specimens  these  dots  run  into  each  other, 
and  from  small  blotches.  The  average  dimensions  of  a 
gi'eat  number  of  specimens  in  my  collection  is  about  .94  by 
.76  inch.  When  placed  in  a  tray  beside  an  equal  number 
of  the  eggs  of  the  Brown  Thrush,  the  eggs  of  this  species 
appear  much  paler,  and  with  a  more  roseate  tint ;  otherwise, 
except  with  regard  to  size,  the  two  species  resemble  each 
other  much. 

In  New  England,  but  one  brood  is  usually  reared  in  the 
season.  I  have  found  nests  with  young  in  June  and 
August,  but  generally  the  first  brood  leaves  the  nest  too  late 
for  another  to  be  brought  out  before  the  early  frosts. 

About  the  middle  of  October,  the  old  birds  and  their 
young,  in  small  detached  flocks,  leave  New  England  on 
their  southern  migration. 


THE   BOnOLINK. 


335 


Family  ICTERlDiE. 

Primaries  nine,  tarsi  scutellate  anteriorly;  plated  behind;  bill  long,  generally 
fqiial  to  the  head  or  longer,  straight  or  gently  curved,  conical,  without  any  notch, 
the  commissure  bending  ilownwards  at  an  obtuse  angle  at  the  base ;  gonys  generally 
more  than  half  the  culmen ;  bnsnl  joint  of  the  middle  toe  free  on  the  inner  jide, 
united  half-way  on  the  outer;  tail  rather  long,  rounded;  legs  stout. 


Sub-Family  Agelaein^.  —  The  Starlings. 

Bill  stout,  conical,  and  acutely  pointed,  not  longer  than  the  head ;  the  outlines 
nearly  straight,  the  tip  not  decurved;  legs  adapted  for  walking,  longer  than  tha 
head;  claws  not  much  curved;  tail  moderate,  shorter  than  the  wings;  tearly  even 


DOLICKONYX,  Swainson. 
Dolicfiont/x,  SwAiNSON,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (1827)  361.     (Tvpe  Emberiza  oryaw- 

Bill  short,  stout,  conical,  little  more  than  half  the  head;  the  commissure  slightly 
sinuated;  the  culmen  nearly  straight;  middle  toe  considerably  longer  than  the  tar- 
sus (which  is  about  as  long  as  the  head) ;  the  inner  lateral  toe  longest,  but  not  reach- 
ing the  base  of  the  middle  claw;  wings  long,  first  quill  longest;  tail  feathers 
acuniinately  pointed  at  the  tip,  with  the  shafts  stiffened  and  rigid,  as  in  the  Wood- 
peckers. 

The  peculiar  characteristic  of  this  species  is  f^und  in  the  rigid  scansorial  tail  and 
the  very  long  middle  toe,  by  means  of  which  it  is  enabled  to  grasp  the  vertical  stems 
of  reeds  or  other  slender  plants.  The  color  of  the  known  species  is  black,  varied 
with  whitish  patches  on  the  upper  parts. 


DOLICHONTZ   OBTZITORUS.  —  iSftooifuon. 
Tbe  Bobolink;  Beed-bird;  Sice-bird. 

Emberiza  oryzivora,  Linnieus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  811.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  11. 
(1810)48. 

DoUchonyx  oryzivora,  Swainson.    Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (1827)  351. 

Icterus  agripennis,  Bonaparte.  Obs.  Wils.  (1824),  No.  87.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  I. 
(1831)  283;  V.  (1839)  486.    Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  185. 

Description. 
General  color  of  male  in  spring  black ;  the  nape  brownish-cream  color ;  a  patch 
on  the  side  of  the  breast,  the  scapulars  and  rump  white,  shading  into  light  ash  on 
the  upper  tail  covers  and  the  back  below  the  interscapular  region ;  the  outer  prima- 
ries sharply  margined  with  yellowish-white,  the  tertials  less  abruptly;  the  tail 
feathers  margined  at  the  tips  with  pale  brownish-ash.  In  autumn  similar  to  tiie 
female. 


>,   j*iMM».MM'>ta« 


■.•«HM>t«KM««-*#4I«i 


?.m 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Fi-nnle,  vfllnwish  licncnth;  two  utripes  on  the  top  of  the  hfad,  and  the  upper 
pnrts  throughout,  except  the  back  of  the  neck  and  rump,  and  including  all  the  wing 
reiitlivrH  genunilly,  dnik-brown,  nil  edged  with  brownish-yellow;  which  becomes 
whiter  nearer  llir  lips  of  the  quills ;  the  sides  sparsely  streaked  with  dark-brown, 
and  •  nimiliir  stripe  behinil  the  eye;  there  is  a  superciliary  and  a  median  band  of 
yellow  on  the  head. 

Len^rth  of  male,  seven  and  seventy  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  three  and 
eighty-three  one-hundredths;  fail,  three  and  liftcen  onc-hundredths  inches. 

/Aii.  —  Kastrrii  United  States  to  the  hi^'h  central  plains.  Seen  fifty  miles  east 
uf  Laramie. 


THIS  well-known  merry  soiif^.stcr  of  the  Noith,  Reed 
Bird  or  Ortolan  of  tlie  Middle  States,  and  Rice  Bird 
of  the  Sontli,  is  abinulantly  distributed  tliron<iliout  most 
sections  of  the  eastern  half  of  the  continent,  ranging  from 
the  latitude  of  Qucl)ec,  in  Lower  Canada  (which  is  its  most 
northern  breeding  point),  throngh  New  England  and  its 
latitnde  in  summer,  to  Mexico,  Central  America,  West 
Indies,  and  tlic  northern  portions  of  the  Southern  Conti- 
nent, where  it  passes  the  winter. 

Early  in  spring  it  makes  its  appearance  in  the  Southern 
United  States,  usually  in  small  detached  parties  of  from 
eight  to  a  dozen  individuals,  and  proceeds  leisurely  to  its 
summer  home  in  tbe  North,  generally  at  about  the  following 
dates:  being  abundant  in  Georgia  about  April  20;  in  Dis 
trict  of  Columbia,  "  distributed  about  orchards  and  meadows 
in  flocks,  from  May  1st  to  loth  ; "  arrives  on  Long  Island, 
N.  Y.,  "  about  the  20th  of  May  ;"  and  is  abundant  in  the 
latitude  of  Middle  New  England  by  the  latter  part  of  that 
month. 

The  males  usually  arrive  in  the  North  several  days  before 
the  females,  during  which  interim  they  frequent  meadows 
and  fields  in  cultivuied  districts,  preferring  them  to  thinly 
settled  localities,  and  soon  become  very  tame  and  familiar, 
considering  the  severity  with  which  they  were  pursued  by 
the  inhabitants  of  all  the  countries  they  traversed  in  their 
migration,  by  whom  they  are  regarded  only  as  a  pest  and  a 
nuisance.  The  Bobolink  knows  when  he  has  arrived  among 
his  friends ;  and  the  same  bird  which  would  have  risen  be- 


1,  and  Hie  upper 
ling  all  the  wing 
which  bcconuis 
fitli  (lark-brown, 
median  band  of 

wing,  thrc«  and 
inches. 
J  fifty  miles  east 


H 


JWi4 


%•■, 

r*-'.: 


Bobolink,  llee<l-liinl,  JJolichutiyx  oryzimrus.    Swaiiisoii. 


THE   BOUOLINK. 


887 


yontl  jrinsliot  from  yon  in  flic  Soiitli  will  |MMrli  on  yonr 
jranU'ii  Iciicc  in  Nfw  Knvrland  ns  riiinilinilv  iis  if  In*  weif 
"  to  tlu!  niaiior  linni,"  iind  rrgiile  yon  willi  a  flood  of  lii.s 
choicest  niclotlics. 

Almost  L'vcryl)oily  in  tlio  Xortli  knows  tlu'  soni;  of  this 
hird,  ami  has  laughed,  in  spite  of  him  or  herself,  at  the  gro- 
tesqtie  singer,  as.  perched  on  a  twig  in  the  elierry-tree  Ity 
the  honse,  or  in  the  elm  hy  the  roadside,  or  alder  liy  the 
hrook,  ho  nodded  his  head,  (piivcred  his  wings,  opened  his 
mouth,  and  rattled  out  the  most  curious,  ineomprdiensihlo, 
jingling,  ronndahout,  careless,  joyous,  laughalile  nicdley 
tliat  any  Itird  throat  ever  uttered. 

As  soon  as  the  females  arrive,  they  Itccomc  the  especial 
ol)jects  of  attention  with  their  male  neighl)ors  ;  anil  the  little 
contentions,  both  in  music,  and  something  more  severe,  wo 
must  confess,  for  the  possession  of  a  favored  one,  between 
the  contesting  suitors,  are  almost  inmuneraltle. 

When  the  birds  are  mated,  usually  eaily  in  June,  they 
commence  the  stmcturc  in  which  their  family  is  to  be 
reared.  Selecting  a  thick  tussoek  of  grass  in  a  field  or 
meadow,  through  which,  or  near  which,  a  brook  i)rattles  of 
cool  and  delicious  draughts,  and  sweet  and  refreshing  baths, 
beneath  the  bending  and  concealing  leaves,  they  entwine 
fine  grasses  and  rootlets  into  a  loose  and  not  deeply 
hollowed  nest,  which  they  line  with  softer  pieces  of  the 
same  material. 

The  position  is  so  well  chosen  that,  nine  times  out  often, 
if  you  walk  the  meadow  over  again  and  again,  knowing  it 
to  be  there,  you  will  not  discover  the  nest ;  the  male  bird 
flics  over  your  head,  chiding  and  complaining  at  your  pres- 
ence, and  his  mate  skurrying  off  through  the  thick  grass, 
rises  away  from  the  nest,  that  you  may  not  discover  its 
locality. 

The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  vary  in  color  from  a 
light  ashy-blue,  with  si)ots  of  blackish-brown,  to  a  pale- 

22 


;{;{M 


OKMIIIOLOGY    AND   OOLO(;Y. 


Iirowiiisli  vM\f,  with  wpotH  nml  blotches  of  umiIkt  ofdiirciciit 
HhndcH ;  tlicir  form  is  usually  a  pcrli-ct  ovafc,  (ui«l  \\\cy  vary 
in  <liuuM)sious  iVoni  .1)0  of  an  inch  in  h>n;rth  liy  .(!.*)  of  nn  inch 
in  hrt'udth,  tu  ,M  of  an  inch  in  length  \>y  Xfl  uf  ;ui  inch  in 
hroatith. 

Ah  Hoon  as  tho  young  itinls  iirc  hatched,  the  father,  hith 
erto  full  of  song  and  inorrinuuit,  hecouies  more  (juiet, 
Hpendin<r  a  great  part  of  his  time  in  family  cares.  Tho 
young  l»irds  are  led  on  grasshoppers,  crickets,  and  variou.s 
other  iiisecta ;  and  this  food  is  the  chief  sustenance  of  the 
parents  as  well,  at  this  period,  for  tho  seeds  of  tho  wild 
grasses  are  not  yet  ri|»ened,  aiul  incursions  in  the  grain- 
lields  are  tabooed  while  the;  young  arc;  in  the  nest.  Is  there 
lujt  a  little  of  judicious  reasoning  in  this?  look  at  it:  if  the 
bird  cultivates  tho  good  will  of  tho  farmer,  by  destroying 
his  insect  onomics,  and  letting  his  crops  grow  in  peace,  he 
is  permitted  to  rear  his  family  in  security,  and  is  oven 
rather  liked,  his  song  being  a  most  pleasant  companionship 
to  the  farmer  who  delves  and  plods  in  the  fields  around  him. 

When  the  young  birds  leave  the  nest,  tho  parents  provide 
for  them  for  a  few  days,  and  then  turn  them  away  to  shift 
for  themselves:  this  is  in  about  the  middle  of  July.  Tho 
old  birds  then  pass  a  comparatively  idle  season,  —  roaming 
through  the  country,  recuperating  from  tho  cares  of  parent- 
age, and  exchanging  their  nuptial  dress  for  one  more  in 
accordance  with  their  matured,  respectable,  old  folks'  con- 
dition ;  the  male  assumes  the  sober,  and  lately  more  sober, 
attire  of  his  mate,  and  dropping  his  song,  contents  himself 
with  repeating  her  simple  '•  chinks 

So  much  do  the  old  and  young  birds  resemble  each  other 
that,  in  the  flocks  of  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  individuals, 
in  which  they  gather  in  early  fall,  it  is  almost  impossible  by 
the  plumage  to  distinguish  either. 

Early  in  September  the  Bobolinks  begin  to  move  south- 
ward, and  although  they  obtain  a  great  portion  of  their 


TIIK   COW    IILACKIIKU). 


;j:i{» 


8iiHt(!imnce   from   ficMs   ainl   nii'mlows,   jrltaiiin^r   scctls  of 

gnisscH  and  wootls,  and  capturiiif^  orlliopterdiis  and  (tllicr 

iiiM('ct8,  they  niakt;  sad  liav(»c  in  tlio  fields  of  late  ^jiiiiti  and 

rice;  and  the  thiii|>{  of  guns  (hirUig  their  i)assage  tlimngh 

the  Middle  and  Southern  States,  not  only  by  farmers'  and 

[ilanters'    hoys,    liut   hy    sportsmen    and    pot-hnnters,   who 

shoot  them  for  the  tahle  and  market,  is  often  almost  injes- 

sont. 
« 

MOI.OTIIRUS,  SwAiNsoM. 

Mvliithrui,  SWAINRON,  F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1881)  277.  (Type  Frini/Mt pefoii*,Gm.) 
Kill  uliort,  dtoiil,  about  two-thinU  the  lcn|.'th  of  head;  the  commi^Kuro  BtraiKlit; 
riilinon  and  Roiiy"  oliKlitly  cun-ed,  convex,  tl  c  former  broad,  rounded,  convox,  and 
running  back  on  the  hea<l  In  a  points  lateral  torn  nearly  equal,  rcaehiriR  the  banc  of 
the  middle  one,  which  is  shorter  than  the  tarsus;  claws  rather  imall;  tail  nearly 
even;  wings  long,  pointed,  tho  first  quill  longest. 


HOLOTHSTTS   PEC0RI3.  —  Swmnton. 

The  Cow  Blackbird;  Cowbird. 

Fringilla  peenrii,  Omelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  010. 
EmbtrizH  i>ecnrn,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  II.  (1810)  145. 

Icttrut ptcorit,  Bonaparte.  Obs.  Wits.  (1824),  No.  88.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  I.  (1881) 
498;  V.  (1839)  238,  490. 

IcUrui  (emberizoidei) pecoi-it,  Nuttall.    Man.,  I.  (1632)  178;  2d  cd  ,  190. 
t'liniiilla  (iinbiyua,  Nuttall.    Man.  I.  (1H32)  484.     (Young.) 

Description. 

Second  quill  loufjest;  first  pcarcely  shorter;  tail  nearly  oven,  or  very  slightly 
rounded;  male  with  the  head,  neck,  and  anterior  hali"  of  the  breast,  light  chocolate- 
brown,  rather  lighter  above;  rest  of  body  lustrous-black,  with  a  violet-purple  gloss, 
next  to  the  brown,  of  steel-blue  on  the  back,  and  of  green  elsewhere.  Female,  light 
olivaceous-brown  all  over,  lighter  on  the  head  and  beneath;  bill  and  feet  black. 

The  young  bird  of  tho  year  is  brown  above,  brownish-white  beneath;  the  throat 
immaculate;  a  auxiliary  stripe  and  obscure  streaks  thickly  crowded  across  the 
whole  breast  ond  sides;  there  is  a  faint  indication  of  a  pale  superciliary  stripe; 
the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  arc  oil  margined  with  paler;  there  ore  also  indications 
of  the  light  bands  on  the  wings;  these  markings  ore  all  obscure,  but  perfectly  appre- 
ciable, and  their  existence  in  adult  birds  may  be  considered  as  embryonic,  ond  show- 
ing an  inferiority  in  degree  to  the  species  with  the  under  parts  perfectly  plain. 

Length,  eight  inches;  wing,  four  and  forty-two  one-hundredtha  inches ;  tail,  thre« 
and  forty  one-bundredths  inches. 

Hab. — United  States  from  the  Atlantic  to  California:  not  found  immediately  on 
the  coast  of  the  Pacific. 


^^MM^M^^T''^ 


840 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


Tliis  coinmon  and  well-known  bird  is  abnndantly  dis- 
tributed througliout  New  England  as  a  summer  visi- 
tor. It  makes  its  first  appearance  al)out  the  middle  of 
Marcli  in  INrassarhusctts,  and,  instead  of  mating  and  scj)- 
arating  into  pairs,  remains  in  small  flocks  tbrough  tlio 
.summer. 

At  all  times,  tbe  males  and  females  congregate  togetlier 
and  visit  tbe  fields  and  pastures,  (wberc  tbey  destroy  num- 
bers of  insects,  priiicipally  Ortlinpfrr(i),  aiul  are  usually  in 
greatest  numliers  wbere  droves  of  cattle  are  assembled. 
Tbe  male,  in  spring  and  early  summer,  lias  a  guttural  song, 
wiiicb  be  utters  from  a  tall  tree,  somctin;es  an  hour  at  a 
time.  Tills  song  resembles  tbe  syllables  \:luk  ^seee.  When 
he  omits  this  note,  he  bristles  out  the  feathers  of  his  neck, 
and  spreads  his  tail,  and  seems  to  swell  out  his  body  with 
tbe  effort  to  produce  an  agreeable  tone. 

When  the  desire  for  laying  is  awakened  in  the  female, 
instead  of  building  a  nest  of  her  own,  she  seeks  the  tene- 
ment of  some  other  bird,  usually  a  smaller  species  than 
herself;  and,  watching  an  opportunity  when  the  other  bird 
has  left  it,  she  drops  an  egg  in  it,  and  leaves  it  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  owner  of  tbe  nest.  The  birds  most  often 
chosen  for  this  purpose  are  the  Vireos,  Warblers,  and  Spar- 
rows :  sometimes  the  Small  Thrushes  are  thus  imposed  upon, 
aad  rarely  the  Wrens. 

Some  birds  build  over  the  stranger  egg  a  new  nest.  I 
have  in  my  collection  a  nest  of  tlie  Yellow  Warbler  thus 
doubled,  and  another  of  the  Goldfinch.  Sometimes  the 
host  is  aljandoiied,  jiarticularly  if  the  owner  has  no  eggs  of 
her  own ;  but  usually  the  intruding  egg  is  hatched,  and  the 
young  bird  attended  with  all  the  care  given  to  the  legitimate 
young.  The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  grayish-wbite, 
with  fine  spots  of  brown  over  the  entire  surface.  Their 
dimensions  vary  from  .96  by  .70  to  .80  by  .62  inch :  some 
specimens  are  marked  with  very  minute  reddish  dots,  which 
are  scattered  over  the  entire  surface;    others   have   bold 


in  the  female, 
seeks  the  tene- 
jr  species  than 
I  the  other  bird 
it  to  the  tender 
irds  most  often 
biers,  and  Spar- 
s  imposed  upon, 


^5 


t^K 


Rbd-winoed  Bi.ackbiki),  AijeUiius  phveniceut.      Vicillot. 


THE   SWAMP   BLACKBIRD. 


841 


(lashes  and  confluent  blotches  of  brown,  thickest  at  the 
greater  end.^ 

By  the  last  week  in  October,  the  young  and  old  birds 
assemble  in  large  flocks,  and  leave  for  the  South. 


AGKLAIUS,  ViEiLi-oT. 

Agelaius,  Vieiixot,  "Analyse,  1816."  (Type  Oriolus  PlioeukcM,  L.) 
First  quill  shorter  tlian  second;  claws  short;  the  outer  lateral  scarcely  reaching 
the  base  of  the  middle;  culmen  depressed  at  base,  parting  the  frontal  feathers; 
length  equal  to  that  of  the  head,  shorter  than  tarsus;  both  mandibles  of  equal  thick- 
ness and  acute  at  tip,  the  edges  much  curved,  the  culmen,  gonys,  and  comniissuro 
nearly  straight  or  slightly  sinuated;  the  length  of  bill  about  twice  its  height;  tail 
iiKiderately  rounded,  or  very  slightly  graduated;  wings  pointed,  reaching  to  end  of 
lower  tail  coverts;  colors  black,  with  red  shoulders  in  North-American  species. 

The  nostrils  are  small,  oblong,  overhung  by  a  membranous  scale;  the  bill  is 
higher  than  broad  at  the  base;  there  is  no  division  between  the  anterior  tarsal 
scutcllic  and  the  single  plate  on  the  outside  of  the  tarsus. 


AGELAIUS  PHCBNICfiUS, 


Vmllot. 


The  Swamp  Blackbird;  Bed-wing  Blackbird. 

Oriolus  Pliceniceiis,  Linnasus.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  161. 
Ayelaim  Phmnictm,  Vieillot.    Anal.  (1816). 

Iclerus  Phceniceus,  Audubon.     Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  348;  V.  (1839)  487. 
Icterus  (Xanthornus  Phainiceus),  Bonaparte.     Syn.  (1828),  52.     Nutt.  JIan.,  I. 
(1832)  167. 

Slanius  2»'(Bdalonus,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  IV.  (1811)  30. 

Deschii'ticis. 

Tail  much  rounded;  the  lateral  feathers  nbnut  half  an  inch  shorter;  fourth  quill 
longest;  first  about  as  long  as  the  fitth;  bill  large,  stout;  half  as  high,  or  more  than 
half  as  high  as  long. 

Male.  —  General  color  uniform  lustrous  velvet-black,  with  a  greenish  reflection, 
shoulders  and  lesser  wing  coverts  of  a  bright-crimson  or  vermillon-red;  middle 
coverts  brownish-yellow,  and  usually  paler  towards  the  tips. 

1  By  an  amusing  yet  incomprehensible  mistake  of  the  printer,  the  .subjoined 
description  of  eggs,  &c.,  was  annexed  to  this  species,  in  an  article  published  in  the 
"  licDort  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  for  1864,"  p.  426.  It  belongs  to 
the  C'hewink  or  Ground  Robin,  page  425  of  that  volume:  "Their  form  varies  I'rom 
elongated  oval  to  nearly  spherical.  The  dimensions  of  a  nest  complement  of  four 
eggs,  collected  in  Quincy,  Mass.,  are  1  by  .74  inch,  .96  by  .72  inch,  .90  by  .70  inch, 
tlO  by  .68  inch :  other  specimens  do  not  vary  materially  from  these  measurements. 
3u:  one  brood  is  usually  reared  in  the  season.  This  bird,  although  subsisting  prin- 
cipally on  variou.i  seeds  and  small  fruits,  destroys  great  numbers  of  insects,  particu- 
larly in  the  breeding  season :  in  tact,  its  young  are  fed  entirely  on  insects  and  theii 
larvu;,  and  the  well-knowu  wire-worms." 


M 


ill'  ; 


■Bses&aMmSimi 


342 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Female.  —  Drown  above,  the  feathers  edged  or  streaked  with  rufous-brown  and 
yellowi^li;  bencatli  wliitc,  streaked  with  brown;  forepart  of  throat,  superciliary,  and 
luediuu  btiipu  btrungly  tinged  with  browiiish-yeliuw. 

The  female  differs  greatly  in  appearance;  the  prevailing  color  above  is  brownish- 
black,  all  the  feathers  margined  with  reddish-brown;  some  of  those  on  the  back 
with  brownish-yellow,  which,  on  the  nicili:iri  and  greater  wing  coverts,  forms  two 
bunds;  the  under  parts  arc  uiill-whilish,  each  feather  broadly  streaked  centrally  with 
dark-brown;  the  chin  and  throat  yellowish,  and  but  little  streaked;  there  is  a  dis- 
tinct whitish  superciliary  streak  alongside  the  head,  tinged  anteriorly  with  brownish- 
yellow,  iind  another  les«  distinct  in  the  median  line  of  the  crown;  there  i»  usually 
n>  indication  of  any  red  on  the  wing;  the  innnature  males  exhibit  every  possible 
condition  of  c(duration  between  that  of  the  old  male  and  of  the  female. 

Length  of  mule,  nine  and  litly  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  five  inches;  tail 
four  and  iillcen  one-hundredths  inches. 


This  conimou  and  well-known  species  makes  its  appear- 
ance about  the  middle  of  March.  It  arrives  in  small  flocks, 
the  males  preceding  the  females  a  week  or  ten  days.  On 
its  arrival,  it  frequents  the  meadows  and  swamps,  where, 
from  early  dawn  to  cwilight,  its  song  of  quonk  a  ree  is 
heard,  sometimes  uttered  by  a  half-dozen  birds  at  a  time. 
As  soon  as  the  females  arrive,  the  birds  mate,  and  disperse 
throuah  these  States,  but  not  so  abundantly  in  the  northern 
as  in  the  southern  districts.  It  commences  building  about 
the  first  week  in  May.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  a 
tussock  of  grass  or  low  bush  hi  a  meadow  and  swamp :  it 
is  constructed  of  coarse  grasses,  which  are  woven  and 
intvvined  into  a  strong  fabric,  into  which  are  incorporated 
the  grass  to  which  it  is  suspended,  or  the  twigs  of  the  bush 
in  which  it  is  built.  It  is  deeply  hollowed,  and  lined  with 
fine  grasses,  and  sometimes  a  few  hair-like  roots.  The  eggs 
are  four  or  five  in  number ;  and  they  vary,  in  color,  two  or 
three  shades  of  light-blue :  they  are  marked  with  spots  and 
streaks  of  vandyke-brown  and  black,  generally  distributed 
thickest  at  the  greater  end.  Their  dimensions  vary  from 
l.Oo  by  .75  inch  to  .90  by  .66  inch.  Average  size  about 
.97  by  .70  inch. 

Sometimes  several  pairs  breed  in  the  same  swamp  or 
meadow :  they  always  fly  to  meet  an  intruder  in  tl  eir 
nauiits,  and  hover  over  biin,  uttering  their  cries  of  anger 


THE   MEADOW-LARiC. 


34.'5 


and  complaint ;  and,  as  the  alarm  passos  along  the  country, 
sometimes  as  many  as  a  dozen  or  twenty  birds  arc  hovering 
over  him,  scoldiiig  vociferously. 

Two  broods  are  usually  reared  in  tlio  season  :  as  soon  us 
the  last  brood  leaves  the  nest,  tlie  whole  family  joins  witli 
its  neighbors  into  a  flock  of  sometimes  a  hundred  or  liun- 
dred  and  fifty  or  more.  They  then  visit  tlie  grain-fields,  and 
inflict  considerable  damage  by  eating  and  destroying  the 
grain.  In  many  localities,  they  are  so  numerous  at  this 
season,  that  they  are  a  serious  nuisance  ;  and  the  farmers 
destroy  great  numbers  of  them  with  poison  and  with  the 
gun. 

Localities  in  the  neighboi^hood  of  the  seaboard  are  thus 
afflicted  more  than  others ;  and  I  have  seen  flocks  of  these 
birds  in  Plymouth  County,  Mass.,  containing  as  many  as  a 
thousand  ijidividuals. 

About  the  last  of  October,  they  depart  on  their  southern 
migration. 

STURNELLA,  Vieillot 

Stumella,  Vieillot,  Analyse  (1816).  (Type  Alaudn  mngna,  L.) 
Body  thick,  stout;  legs  large,  toes  reaching  beyond  the  tail;  tail  short,  even, 
with  narrow  acuminate  feathers;  bill  slender,  elongated;  length  about  three  tim>>4 
the  height;  commissure  straight  from  the  basal  angle;  culmen  flattened  basnily, 
extending  backwards,  and  parting  the  frontal  feathers ;  longer  than  the  head,  but 
shorter  than  tarsus;  nostrils  linear,  covered  by  an  incumbent  membranous  scale; 
inner  lateral  toe  longer  than  •ho  outer,  but  not  reaching  to  basal  Joint  of  middle; 
hind  toe  a  little  shorter  than  the  middle,  which  is  equal  to  the  tarsus;  hind  claw 
nearly  twice  as  long  as  the  middle;  feathers  of  head  stitfeucd  and  bristly;  the 
shafts  of  those  above  extended  into  a  black  seta;  tertiaries  nearly  equal  to  the 
primaries;  feathers  above  all  transversely  banded;  beneath  yellow,  with  a  black 
Dectoral  crescent. 


'ii 


II,'  ■' 


it;j 


"I 

r 


STUBNELLA    MAGNA.  —  Swainson. 

The  Meadow-lark;  Old  Field-lark. 

Alauda  mnrjiin,  Linnajus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1758)  167,  10th  ed.  (based  on  Almtda 
wmi/na,  Catesb}-,  tab.  3.3).    Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  III.  (1811)  20. 
Siumeila  Mnijna,  Swainson.     Phil.  Mag.,  I.  (1827)  4.36. 
Sturnui  Ludoriciuuui,  Andubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  IF.  (1834)  210;  V.  (1839)  4«i. 
Sturndta  Lwtuviciana,  HuUM.     Man.,  I.  (1832)  147. 


dU 


OUNITHOLOUY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Uksckution. 

'I lit'  fealliirs  atiovc  (lurk-brown,  iiiiirt;im'(l  witli  hrowiiisli-wliile,  and  wifli  a  ter 
iniiiul  I'ldtili  ol'  ]iiilc  ri'ildisli-lirdwii ;  cxpn^cil  pdrtidiis  of  win^s  and  tail  with  trans- 
viT^R  dark-brown  bars,  which  on  tht!  ini(hllu  tail  It'athcrs  uru  coiilluunt  alon^  the 
shall i  beneath  ^illiiw,  with  u  bhuk  pectural  crt'sceut,  thu  ytllow  not  extending  or 
the  side  ul'  the  maxilla;  tddes,  erissum,  and  tibi;e  pulu  reddish-brown,  streaked  with 
blaekish;  a  light  mediaji  and  superciliury  Btrii)e,  the  latter  yellow  anterior  to  the 
eye;  u  black  line  behind. 

Lengtii,  li  11  and  sixty  one-hundredtlis  inches;  winf;,  live;  tail,  three  and  seventy 
ono-hiindrodths  inehes;  bill  above,  one  and  thirty-live  one-hundredtlis  inches. 

Tliis  l)eautiful  and  well-know  ii  bird  is  a  connnon  summer 
Inlialiitant  of  tho  tlirc  suutlieiu  New-England  States,  but  is 
luorj  rare  in.  the  others.    If  a  mild  winter,  it  remains  through 


the  year ;  but  generally  leaves  for  the  South  late  in  the 
fall,  and  returns  about  the  "  second  or  third  week  in 
March."  It  commences  building  about  the  second  week 
in  May,  sometimes  earlier :  the  locality  is  generally  in  a 
meadow  or  low  field.  Tho  nest  is  usually  built  in  a  tussock 
of  grass:  it  "is  pretty  compact,  made  of  dry,  wiry  grass, 
to  which  a  hidden  and  almost  winding  path  is  made,  and 
generally  so  well  concealed  that  the  nest  is  only  to  be  found 
wheu  tiie  bird  is  flushed."  —  Nuttall. 

A  uumber  of  nests  that  I  have  examined  agree  with  thia 
description:  all  were  beneath  bunches  of  grass;  and,  though 


THK   MEADOW-LAUK. 


345 


souio  were  only  partly  covorod,  still  there  was  a  ilooulod 
roof  to  iill.  Tiio  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number:  their 
color  ia  generally  nearly  pure-white,  sometimes  reddish- 
white,  with  fine  spots  of  reddish-brown  diffused  over  the 
entire  surface  of  some  specimens ;  on  others,  thiidy  scat- 
tered spots,  blotches  of  two  or  three  shades  of  brown  and 
lilac.  Their  dimensions  vary  from  1.10  by  .85  to  1  by  .78 
inch.     Their  forai  is  usually  a  rounded  oval. 

A  rather  peculiar  specimen,  kindly  ju'esented  me  by 
Mr.  J.  P.  Norris,  of  Philadelphia,  is  nearly  spherical  in 
form,  rosy-white  in  color,  with  exceedingly  minute  dots  of 
reddish.  Size,  1.05  by  .90  inch.  Nuttall  says  of  the  food 
of  this  species, — 

"  Tluiir  food  consists  of  the  larvaa  of  various  insects,  as  well  as 
worms,  beetles,  and  grass  seeds,  to  assist  the  digestion  of  wiiich 
tiiey  sw.'dlow  a  considerable  portion  of  gravel.  It  does  not  ajjpear 
that  this  species  ever  adds  berries  or  fruits  of  any  Kind  to  liis  fare, 
like  the  Starling,  but  usually  remains  the  whole  summer  In  moist 
meadows  ;  and  in  winter  retires  to  the  open,  grassy  woods,  having 
no  inclination  to  rob  the  orchai'd  or  garden ;  and,  except  in  winter, 
is  of  a  shy,  timid,  and  retiring  d'sposition." 


m 


^ 


orce  with  thia 


But  one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season. 

In  the  autumn,  the  Larks  collect  in  small  flocks  of  ten  Oi* 
a  dozen,  which  visit  the  marshes  and  stuljble-fiekls  in  their 
neighborhood.  Their  note  at  this  season,  as  in  other  periods 
of  the  year,  is  nothing  but  a  shrill,  prolonged,  plaintive 
whistle.  Usually  one  bird  of  a  flock  is  perched  on  a  tree 
or  fence-post  as  a  sentinel ;  and,  the  moment  a  gunner 
approaches,  the  bird  gives  his  alarm,  and  the  flock  is  on  the 
qui  vive.  They  are  so  shy  that  it  is  extremely  difficult  to 
approach  them;  and,  when  shot  at,  they  are  secured  only  by 
guns  of  long  range.  Their  flight  is  a  peculiar  hovering 
one,  —  the  wings  moving  in  short,  almost  imperceptible, 
vibrations. 


r 


846 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


Sub-Family  Ictkiun^.  —  T/ie  Orioles. 

Bill  slender,  elongated,  as  long  as  tlie  head,  generally  a  little  decurved,  and  ver>' 
■cute;  tarsi  not  lunger  tliun  the  middle  toe,  nor  tlian  the  head;  claws  short,  iiuich 
curved;  outer  lateral  too  a  littlo  longer  than  the  inner,  reaching  n  little  beyond  base 
of  middle  toe;  Ccet  adapted  lor  perching;  tail  rounded  or  graduated;  prevailini; 
colors  yellow  oi  orange,  and  bluclt. 


ICTERUS   SPURIUS.  — /iona/ja/te. 

The  Orchard  Oriole. 

Qri)lm  $punu$,  Linnoiua.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1700)  102. 

fcttrus  spurius,  Bonaparte.  Obs.  on  Noni.  Wils.  (1825),  No.  44.  Aud.  Cm. 
Biog.,  L  (1831)  221;  V.  485. 

Oriolus  mutaliit,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  I.  (1808)  64. 

Descrution. 

Bill  slender.'nttrnuated,  considerably  decurved;  tail  moderately  graduated. 

Mate.  —  Head  and  neck  all  round,  wings,  and  iiitersonpular  region  of  back,  with 
tail  feathers,  black ;  rest  of  under  parts,  lower  part  of  back  to  tail,  and  lesser  upper 
wing  coverts,  with  the  lower  one,  brownish-chestnut ;  a  narrow  line  across  tlie  wing, 
ind  the  extreme  outer  edges  of  quills,  white. 

Female.  —  Uniform  greenish-yellow  bc-catli,  olivaceous  above,  and  browner  in 
the  middle  of  the  back ;  two  white  bands  on  the  wings.  Young  male  like  the  female, 
with  a  broad  black  patch  from  the  bill  to  the  upper  part  of  the  breast;  this  coh)r 
extending  along  the  base  of  the  bill  so  as  to  involve  the  eye  and  all  anterior  to  it  to 
the  base  of  the  bill. 

In  this  species  the  bill  is  slender,  attenuated,  and  a  good  deal  decurved  to  the 
tip.  The  second  and  third  quills  are  longest;  the  first  intwmcdiate  between 
the  fourth  and  fifth.  The  tail  is  rather  long ;  the  feathers  moderately  graduated,  the 
greatest  difference  in  length  amounting  to  half  on  inch. 

The  black  of  the  throat  extends  backwards  us  far  as  the  bend  of  the  wing,  and 
ends  as  an  obtuse  angle.  The  tail  feathers  are  entirely  black,  with  dull  whitish  tips 
when  not  fully  mature. 

Specimens  are  found  in  all  stages  between  the  characters  given  above.  When 
nearly  mature,  some  yellowish  feathers  are  found  mixed  in  with  the  chestimt  ones. 

Length  of  specimens,  seven  and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches ;  wing,  three 
and  twenty-five  one-hundredths  inches. 


This  bird  is  rather  rare  in  New  England,  and  is  confined 
to  the  southern  districts  as  a  summer  visitor.  It  arrives 
about  the  second  weelc  in  May,  and  coinmenccs  building 
about  the  first  week  in  June.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in 
a  forked  branch  of  a  tree  in  the  orchard,  seldom  more  than 
twenty  feet  from  the  ground.    It  is  constructed  of  different 


curved,  and  very 
laws  ghort,  niiieU 
ittle  beyond  bii»e 
lated;  vrevrtiliiii; 


ly  graduated, 
egionof  back.witli 
il,  and  kwer  upper 
ine  across  the  wing, 

vc,  and  browner  in 
nale  like  the  female, 
10  breast;  this  color 
1  all  anterior  to  it  to 

ieal  decurved  to  the 

irmediate  between 

ately  graduated,  the 

nd  of  the  wing,  and 
ith  dull  whitish  tips 

iven  above.    When 

the  chestnut  ones. 

1  inches;  wing,  three 


lud  is  confined 
or.  It  arrives 
cuccs  building 
,ually  placed  in 
dom  more  than 
ted  of  different 


I 


i  ■ 

Iri 


Orciiauo  Oriole,  Tcterus  sptirius.    Bonnparte. 


THE  ORCHARD  ORIOLE!. 


347 


grassoH,  which  aro  wovoii  toj^ctlier  very  iioatly  and  com 
pactly:  tho  whulu  iu  liiiuil  with  line  griiHrt,  and  Hoiut^tiiucs  :\ 
W'AV  hurflciiiiirH.  It  itt  not  ikmihIIo,  Imt  is  huilt  on  tho  Itrniich 
The  eggs  lire  I'onv  or  live  in  iiuiul)er  :  tlieir  color  varies  from 
!i  liglit-bhie  to  ii  tli.'sliy  tint,  wliicli  is  nuirkeil  witli  irri'jiii- 
lar  spots  and  lines  of  obscure  lavender,  over  wjiich  aro  l>old 
spots  and  Idotehoa  of  black  and  brown.  Tlio  dimensions 
vai-y  from  .80  to  .50  by  .54  inch.  But  ono  Ijrood  is  reared 
in  tiie  season. 

Nuttall,  ill  describing  tho  habits  of  this  species,  says, — 

"The  Orchard  Oriole  is  an  oxccedinyly  active.  s|iri;jhtly,  aiiJ 
resdcss  bird:  in  tho  sumo  instant  ;ilnjo.>t,  ho  is  on  tlio  i^round  after 
some  fallen  insect;  fhitterinfj  amidst  the  foliage  of  the  trei'-i,  prying 
and  springing  after  his  lurking  prey  ;  or  flying,  and  tuning  his  lively 
notes  in  a  manner  so  hurried,  rapid,  and  seemingly  confused,  that 
the  ear  is  scarce  able  to  thread  out  the  shrill  and  lively  syllables 
of  his  agitated  ditty.  Between  these  hurried  attempts,  he  also 
gives  others,  which  are  distinct  and  agreeable ;  but  still  his  tones 
are  neither  so  full  nor  so  mellow  as  those  of  the  brilliant  and  gay 
lialtimore." 

After  a  description  of  tho  nest  and  eggs,  ho  continues  :  — 

"  The  female  sits  about  fourteen  days,  and  the  young  continue 
in  the  nest  ten  (?)  days  before  they  become  qualified  to  flit  along 
with  their  parents;  but  they  are  generally  seen  abroad  about  the 
middle  of  June.  Pieviously  to  their  departure,  the  young,  leaving 
the  care  of  their  parents,  become  gregarious,  and  assemble  soni<!- 
times  in  flocks  of  separate  sexes,  from  thirty  to  forty  upwards  ;  in 
the  South,  frequenting  the  savannahs,  feeding  much  on  crickets, 
grasshoppers,  and  spiders.  According  to  Audubon,  they  sing  with 
great  liveliness  in  cages,  being  fed  on  rice  and  dry  fruits,  when 
fresh  cannot  be  procured.  Their  ordinary  diet,  it  appears,  is  cater- 
pillars and  insects,  of  which  they  destroy  great  quantities.  In  the 
oourse  of  the  season,  they  likewise  feed  on  various  kinds  of  juicy 
fruits  and  berries ;  but  their  depredations  on  the  fruits  of  the  orchard 
are  very  unimportant." 


4 

if 


;Ms 


UUM'lllOLOia'    AND   OOLOUY. 


)! 


ite 


i 


ill   II  litiy(!    MUllllK'r  uf  IH'Ntri  t'CCI'ivcil  iVilU.  WiHCUllHill,  HMICC 

tliu  I'urcgoiii^r  was  in  typo,  a  pntiMntinn  ucrc  |icii.iilo,  Utiiig 
C(iiii|juHed  ul'  liiiu  gtuHHCii,  nuatiy  inturwovun. 


ICTERUS   BALTIMORE.  -  Oowlin. 

Tho  Baltimoia  Oriole;  Golden  Roblo;  Hang-np«t. 

Uiftlu*  liitUimuie,  l.iunuiijt.     8}-iit.  Nat.,  I.  (ITUe)  lU'i.     WIIk.   Aid.  Orn.,  I 
(1B08)  2.'1. 

"  Jcttrut  Unltimwt,  DuuUiii."     Aiul.  Orii.  Ww^.,  I.  (1831)  66;  V.  (183U)  278. 

I)E8<'llirTION. 

Tail  nearly  even;  ln'inl  nil  niiiiiil  uiul  ti>  nililillu  of  buck,  Kcupulurx,  wIiik>*i  and 
upper  Hiirf'iu'i'  of  (nil,  black;  ri>t  ol'  iimli'r  luirtx,  riiinp,  tippi-r  tail  iiivurtH,  iiiid  IcHnei 
wiiin  c'dvcrls,  with  tcriiiiiiul  pnriinii  ol'  tail  l'catliiT.'<  (uxnpt  twn  iiiiuTfiiimt),  (iraiiKe- 
ri'd;  t'd);os  of  wing  i|uills,  wiili  it  liaiid  acrosH  tliu  tip^  of  the  Krvuler  coverta, 
white. 

'I'hu  t'l'inali!  \*  uiiii'h  Ickh  hrtlliaiit  in  cnhir;  thu  black  nl'  the  hcail  and  hai  k  ^eno- 
rully  rt'plucud  by  browuish-ycllow,  purer  on  the  thiuut;  each  leather  with  u  block 
»pot. 

Length,  ncven  and  fifty  one-huMdrcdthx  inches;  wing,  three  and  sevenly-tive 
uiie-hundre<lth!4  inches. 

This  wo'l-kiiown  species  is  abundantly  disti'ibutod  tlirougii- 
out  New  I'Jiiglaiid  as  a  sunnuer  visitor.  It  makes  its  appear- 
ance about  tlio  8th  ol"  May  in  Massaclui.sotts,  and  about  tlio 

middle  of  that  month 
or  later,  in  tiie  north- 
ern distiicts.  It  com- 
mences building  about 
the  -JOtii  of  May.  Tho 
nest  is  usiii^Uy  fixed 
in  an  elm-troe  near 
houses,  or  in  an  apple 
or  pear  tree  in  the  or- 
chard. Niittall's  de- 
scription of  tho  nest 
is  tho  best  that  I  have  ever  soon,  and  nuicli  better  than 
any  I  could  make;  although  somewhat  lengthy,  I  give  it 
entire :  — 


TIIK   FALTrMORF:   ORIOLK. 


!M(« 


r,e  and  »i!veiily-tiv« 


"TluTCi  JH  nntliin^  mom  rt'iimrkulilc  in  tlio  wlioli-  iii«tiiict  «f  our 
OoMi'M  Koliiii  timii  tliK  injjfiniity  ilis|i|ityi'il  in  tlic  t'aliriciktion  of  \[n 
nost,  wliit'li  ix,  in  fact,  n  ]u'\ti\\\h>\\<,  (yliniiiif  |kiiicIi  of  (iv»>  to  sfvi-n 
inclicH  in  doptli,  imnitliy  snH|i<'ni|i>il  from  nt'ur  tint  cxticniititH  of  tlio 
lii>{h  <lni  ipini;  luanrln's  of  trees  («ucli  as  tlie  clni,  llie  pear,  or  apple 
tree,  wild  elierry,  weeping  willow,  tnlip-treo,  or  hiittonwood).  It 
is  li('i;nii  l>y  firmly  fasteiiinjj  natural  sfriii;;n  of  tlie  (lax  of  tlie  silk- 
weed,  or  swamp  liollylioek,  or  stout  nrlilicial  tlinails,  arouml  two  or 
more  forked  twit's,  eorrespondinjj;  to  the  intende<l  width  and  depth 
of  the  nest.  With  the  saino  materials,  willow-<lown,  or  any  neci- 
dental  ravelliiijfs,  striiij^s,  thread,  sewin<;-silk,  tow,  or  wool,  that  may 
lie  lyin;^  near  th(!  neij,dd)orin<^  houses,  or  arouml  f^raf'ts  of  trees,  they 
interweave  and  fahrieato  a  sort  of  coarse  cloth  into  the  form  in- 
tended, towards  the  bottom  of  which  they  |ihioo  tlie  real  nest,  mn<lo 
chiefly  of  lint,  wiry  grass,  horse  aiul  cow  hair:  sometimes,  in  defect 
of  hair,  lining  the  interior  with  a  mixture  of  slender  strips  of 
smooth  vine-hark,  and  randy  with  a  few  feathers;  the  whole  heing 
of  a  consideralde  thickness,  and  more  or  less  attacluMl  to  the  exter- 
nal pouch.  Over  the  top,  the  leaves,  as  they  grow  out,  form  a 
verdant  and  agreeable  canopy,  defending  the  young  from  the  sun 
and  rain.  There  is  sometimes  a  considerable  ditterence  In  the 
manufacture  of  these  nests,  as  well  as  in  the  materials  whi(di  enter 
into  their  composition.  IJoth  sexes  seem  to  be  equally  adepts  at 
this  sort  of  labor;  and  I  have  seen  the  female  alone  perform  the 
whole  without  any  assistance,  and  the  male  also  complete  this 
laborious  task  nearly  without  the  aid  of  his  consort,  who,  however, 
in  general,  is  the  principal  worker." 


U 


The  eggs  are  four  or  five  in  iminbcr.  They  arc  of  a  flesh- 
color,  with  sometimes  a  bluish  tint :  they  are  marked  with 
obscure  lines  of  laveiuler,  over  which  are  irregular  scratches 
and  lines,  as  if  done  with  a  pen,  of  vandykc-brown  and 
black.  Their  dimensions  vary  from  1  l)y  .72  to  .88  by  .0(1 
inch.  The  food  of  this  bird,  and  also  of  the  preceding 
species,  consists  of  caterpillars  and  other  injurious  insects : 
great  numbers  of  the  hairy  caterpillars  are  destroyed;  and 
sometimes  a  large  nest  of  the  apple-tree  caterpillars  is  de- 
populated in  a  few  days.     Tiie  Orioles  are  certainly,  thcro 


350 


OUMTllOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


fore,  worthy  tlio  highest  consiclcratioii  and  protection  from 
the  farmer. 

TIk;  familiarity  of  this  bird  with  man,  and  its  sociable  and 
•icnial  disposition  »*i-o  so  well  known  that  any  description 
of  its  habits  here  is  unnecessary.  About  the  middle  of 
September,  after  forming  into  small  detached  flocks,  this 
species  leaves  New  England  on  its  southern  migration. 


t 


Suh-Family  QuTSCALixiE.  —  The   Gmdles. 

Bill  rather  nttenimtcd, as  hn\g  or  longer  than  the  head;  the  ciilmen  curved,  the 
tip  much  l)ont  dnwn  ;  the  ciitiing  edges  inflected,  so  as  to  impart  a  somewhat  tubular 
appearance  to  each  niiuidiblc;  the  commissure  sinuatcd;  tail  longer  than  the  wings, 
usuidly  much  graduated;  legs  longer  than  the  head,  fitted  for  walking. 

The  bill  of  the  QuiscitlimE  is  very  difTerent  from  that  of  the  other  Ictcridoe,  and  is 
readily  recognized  by  the  tendency  to  a  rounding  inward  along  the  cutting  edges, 
rendering  the  width  in  a  cross  section  of  the  bill  considerably  less  along  the  commi  j- 
sure  than  above  or  below.    The  culmen  is  more  curved  than  in  the  Agelaina. 

The  only  genera  in  the  United  States  are  as  follows:  — 

ScoLKroi'iiAoua.  —  Tail  shorter  than  the  wings,  nearlj'  even ;  bill  shorter  than 
the  head. 

QuiscAi.us.  —  Tail  longer  than  the  wings,  much  graduated;  bill  as  long  as  or 
longer  than  the  head. 

SCOI.ECOPHAGUS,  Swainson. 

Scolecophngvs,  Swainson,  F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1831).  (Type  Oriolus  ferruffineni, 
fimelin.) 

Hill  shorter  than  the  head,  rather  slender,  the  edges  inflexed  as  in  Quiscalua,  which 
it  otherwise  greatly  resembles;  the  commissure  sinuated;  culmen  rounded,  but  not 
flattened:  tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  tail  even,  or  slightly  rounded. 


SCOLECOPHAGDS  FEREDGINEUS.  —  Sim mson. 

The  Rusty  Crackle. 

Crnculn  fernig'men,  Wilson.     Am.  Om.,  III.  (1811)  41. 

Quiacnliig  fcrrutjiiieus,  Xuttall.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  199.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II.  (1834) 
315;  V.  (18.39)483. 

l^cdkrophnijiiit  fcrniiptievs,  Swainson.     F.  Ror.  Am.,  II.  (1831)  286. 

DKSCltllTIOX. 

Bill  slender,  shorter  than  the  hend,  about  equal  to  the  hind  toe;  its  height  not 
quite  two-fifths  the  total  length;  wing  nearly  an  inch  longer  than  the  tail;  second 
\uill  longest ;  first  a  litt'e  shorter  than  the  fourtli ;  tail  slightly  graduated;  the  lateraJ 


THE  RUSTY   BLACKBIRD. 


n.-i 


oteclioii  from 


n;  bill  shorter  than 
I;  bill  as  long  as  oi 


Oriolus  ferruginem. 


feathers  about  a  qiiarlor  of  an  iiidi  pliortcst;  general  coltpr  Irlatk,  with  piii]il('  rcflco- 
tions;  tiie  wiii^js.  uikIit  (ail  coverts,  and  liiiulor  part  of  the  Ijclly,  f^losseil  with 
green,     rcmale,  diill-lirowu.     Iris,  pale-straw  color. 

!.eiii;tli,  nine  ami  lilty  oiie-hiindreilllis  IiuIks;  "iiifj,  four  ami  sovcnty-five  oim 
liun(lri.'iltlis;  tail,  lour  iiiehes. 

This  bifd  is  not  uiicominoii  in  the  New-Eiighxiul  States  in 
tlic  spring  and  fall  migrations,  but  is  nevop  jih'nty,  and 
retires  to  high  latitudes  to  l)reed.  A  few  ivniaiu  in  the 
northern  distriets  of  Maine  and  New  Hampshire  througli 
the  breeding  season ;  l)ut  their  nests  are  scklom  found. 
Wliilc  in  the  valley  of  the  Magalloway  River,  in  Elaine,  in 
June,  18G4,  I  found  several;  and  two  of  them  eontained 
three  eggs  in  each.  Tiicse  nests  were  all  built  in  low  alders 
overhanging  the  water:  they  were  constructed  of,  first,  a 
lityer  of  twigs  and  brier-stalks;  on  this  was  built  the  nest 
jiropcr,  which  was  comjiosed  of  stalks  and  leaves  of  grass, 
which  were  mixed  with  mud,  and  moulded  into  a  firm,  cir- 
cular structure,  and  lined  with  fine  leaves  of  grass  and  a  few 
hairlikc  roots.  The  whole  formed  a  large  structure,  easily 
seen  at  the  distance  of  a  few  rods  through  the  foliage. 

The  eggs  are  of  a  bluish-white  coh)r,  of  oval  form,  and 
covered  with  fine  scratches  and  s()ots  of  light-brown.  These 
markings  arc  almost  exactly  similar  to  those  on  the  egg  of 
the  Great-crested  Flycatcher :  they  appear  as  if  done  with 
a  pen,  which,  as  soon  as  it  is  pressed  forcibly  on  the  object, 
is  suddenly  withdrawn,  making  a  mark  wide  at  one  end, 
and  sharply  pointed  at  the  other.  , 

The  dimensions  of  three  eggs  in  my  collection  are  1.0-i 
by  .76  inch,  1.05  by  .75  inch,  1  by  .70  inch. 

The  habits  of  this  species  are  less  known  than  those  of 
any  of  our  other  Blackbirds.  This  is  owing  as  much  to 
its  unsociable,  retiring  disposition  as  to  the  scarcity  of  its 
numbers.  When  it  arrives  in  spring,  —  sometimes  as  carlj 
as  the  third  week  in  March,  —  it  frequents  the  low,  swampy 
thickets,  where,  in  companies  of  three  or  four,  it  employs  itr 
eelf  in  searching  for  seeds  of  various  aquatic  grasses,  insects, 
worms,  and  tlic  small  crustacae  found  in  suoh  localities. 


;:! 


% 


352 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGi'. 


li 


If  approached,  it  flies  a  sliort  distance  into  a  low  tree,  and 
watches  the  intruder,  uttering  its  alarm-note  check,  —  some- 
times, chct'k-che  iv6ech  or  check  che  wiecha.  Tliis  note  is 
uttered  by  l)oth  sexes,  and  seems  to  he  the  only  song  pos- 
sessed by  citlicr.  I  have  ol)served  thorn  carefully,  not  only 
in  the  S|)ring,  but  during  the  breeding  season  and  in  the 
autumn,  and  I  never  heard  them  emit  any  other.  Both 
sexes  iiicul)atc,  and  manifest  great  anxiety  wlien  the  nest  is 
approached ;  tlic  males  flying  and  scolding  over  tlio  head 
of  the  intruder,  in  the  manner  of  the  Red-winged  Blackbird 
As  I  paddled  my  canoe  up  beneath  one  of  the  nests  de- 
scribed above,  the  parent  bird  remained  sitting,  almost  until 
my  liand  touched  tlie  limb  on  which  the  structure  was 
j)laced.  On  flying  off,  she  littered  a  chattering  cry,  almost 
exactly  like  tliat  of  the  female  Redwing  wlien  disturbed 
in  a  similar  manner. 

Early  in  September,  the  old  and  young  birds  collect  in 
small  detaclied  flocks,  and  frequent  the  same  localities  that 
they  haunt  in  spring,  from  which  they  occasionally  visit  old 
cornfields  and  stubl)le-riclds,  where  they  catch  grasslioppers 
and  other  insects,  and  eat  the  seed  of  weeds  and  such  grains 
as  arc  left  by  tlic  farmer  after  harvesting. 

Tliey  remain  in  southern  New  England  until  early  in 
November. 

QUISCALUS,  ViEiLi-OT. 

QH('s(;rt/«s,  ViKiu.of,  Analyse  (1816).  (Gray.)  (Type  Gvncula  qiiiscaln,  L.) 
Hill  ns  Ions  <is  t'le  hend,  the  ciilmen  sliglitly  curved,  the  gonys  almost  .straight; 
the  edges  of  tlie  hill  inflected  and  rounded  |  the  commissure  (juite  strongly  sinuated; 
outlines  of  tarsal  scutclliu  well  dcflned  on  the  sides;  wings  shorter  than  the  tail, 
sometimes  much  more  so ;  tail  long,  the  feathers  conspicuously  and  decidedly  gradu- 
ated.    Colors  black. 


QUISCALUS    VEESICOLOE.-  Vlcillol. 

The  Crow  Blackbird ;  Purple  Orakle. 

Grncula  quiscala,  Liiintcus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1706)  1C5.    Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  Ill 
(1811)44. 

Qiiiscn'AU  remicnhr,  Vieillot.     Analyse?   (1?16).    Jf>.,  Nouv.  Diet.,  XXVIII. 
1819)  4S8    Xutt.  Mun.,  I.  (isaa)  104.    Aud.Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  35;  V.  (lS3f>)481 


low  tree,  and 
u'.ch,  —  some- 
This  note  is 
ily  song  pos- 
lUy,  not  only 
(U  and  ill  the 
other.     Botli 
oil  tlie  neat  is 
)vcr  the  liead 
>-cd  Blackbird 
the  nests  de- 
T,  ahnost  nntil 
strnctnve  was 
iig  cry,  ahnost 
hen  disturbed 

lirds  collect  in 
!  localities  that 
onally  visit  old 
h  grasshoppers 
lud  such  grains 

nntil  early  in 


ncnln  quiscdln,  L.) 
ys  almost  straight; 

kite  stront;ly  simiated; 

urtcr  tlmn  the  tnil, 

and  (Icfidt^dly  gradu- 


Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  HI 

<ouv.  Diet.,  XXVIII. 
831)  35;  V.  (183!*)  481 


k;- 


sil 


»6^ 


; 


THE   CROW    ULACKniUD. 


353 


DKSrRIITIOV. 

Bill  above,  about  as  lonjf  as  the  hoad,  more  thnii  (viVo  as  loti;;  is  hif,'li :  tlio  rom- 
nilssiire  moderately  siniiatcil  and  cnnsidiTilily  di-ciirved  at  tip;  tail  a  iittle  sIkjiIit 
tlinn  the  wing,  iniiili  Kri'dnatcd,  tin;  lateral  tcatliers  one  and  ten  one-hiindridlli-i 
inches  shorter;  third  ciiiill  l(in;,'est,  first  between  fourth  and  filth;  head  and  neek  all 
well  defined  steel-b'ue;  the  rest  of  the  body  with  varied  reflections  of  bronze, 
golden,  green,  eopper,  and  purple,  the  latter  most  conspicuous  on  the  tail,  the  tail 
coverts,  and  wini,'s;  the  edfes  af  primaries  and  of  tail  greenish,  reiuale  similar, 
but  smaller  and  duller,  with  perhaps  more  green  on  the  head.     Iris,  yelluw. 

Length,  thirteen  inches;  wings,  si.x;  tail,  five  and  eighty  one-hundredths;  bill 
»bf)ve,  one  and  twenty-five  one-huudredths  inches. 

This  vcr}'  common  and  well-known  liird  is  distributed 
tl\rougiiout  New  England  in  the  snmmer  season  ;  arriving 
ahont  the  first  week  in  April.  It  is  a  social  species ;  and, 
instead  of  breaking  up  into  scattered  pairs,  the  liirds 
remain  in  flocks,  and  breed  in  communities,  sometimes 
several  pairs  on  one  tree.  The  nest  is  composed  of  mud, 
in  which  grass,  seaweed,  fine  roots,  and  other  like  mate 
rials,  are  mixed  and  woven  into  a  large,  compact  scructure, 
which  is  lined  with  fine  grass,  seaweeds,  and  sometimes 
a  few  horsehairs. 

The  eggs  are  four  or  five  in  number.  They  vary  in  color 
from  light-blue  to  light-brown,  aiitl  are  marked  with  obscure 
spots  of  light-brown,  over  which  are  laid  blotches  and  lines 
of  black  and  umbcr-brown.  They  vary  in  dimensions  from 
1.30  by  .88  to  1.18  by  .84  inch.  Usually,  but  one  brood  is 
reared  in  the  season ;  and  in  September  the  birds  collect 
into  immense  flocks,  and  do  considerable  mischief  in  the 
cornfields:  in  other  seasons,  their  food  consists  of  "larva), 
caterpillars,  moths,  and  beetles,  of  which  tlicy  devour  such 
numbers,  that,  but  for  this  providential  economy,  the  wholo 
crop  of  grain  in  many  places  would  probably  be  destroyed 
l)y  the  time  it  began  to  germinate." 

Wilson,  in  describing  the  habits  of  this  species,  says,  — 

"  The  trees  where  these  birds  build  irrc  often  at  no  great  distance 
from  the  farm-house,  and  overlook  the  plantations.  From  thence 
tliey  issue  in  all  directions,  and  witli  as  mucli  confidence,  to  mako 
their  daily  depredations  among  the  surrounding  fic^lds,  as  if  tho 
whole  were  intended  for  their  use  alone.     Their  chief  attention. 

23 


3.54 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


J 


• 


liowever,  is  directed  to  tlie  Indian  corn  in  all  ita  progressive  stages, 
As  soon  as  the  infant  I)l;i(l(\  of  this  grain  begins  to  make  its  appear- 
iiiee  ahovo  grniind,  the  (Jrakies  hail  tlie  weli^onie  signal  witli 
screams  of  peculiar  satisfaction  ;  and,  without  waiting  for  a  fijwnal 
invitation  from  the  proprietor,  descend  on  the  fields,  and  begin  tn 
pull  ii|i  and  regale  themselves  on  the  seed,  scattering  the  green 
blades  around.  AVhile  thus  eagerly  employed,  the  vengeance  of  tluj 
gun  sometimes  overtakes  them;  but  tliese  disasters  are  soon  forgot 
ten,  and  those  — 

'  Wiio  live  to  get  away, 
Return  to  steal,  anotlier  day.' 

About  the  beginning  of  August,  wlien  the  young  ears  are  In  their 
milky  state,  they  are  attacked  with  redoubled  eagerness  by  the 
Grakles  and  Redwings,  in  formidable  and  combined  bodies.  They 
descend  like  a  blackening,  sweeping  tempest  on  the  corn,  dig  off" 
the  external  covering  of  twelve  or  fifteen  coats  of  leaves  as  dex- 
terously as  if  done  by  the  hand  of  man,  and,  having  laid  bare  the 
ear,  leave  little  behind  to  the  farmer  but  the  cobs  and  shrivelled 
skins  tiiat  contained  their  favorite  fare.  I  have  seen  fields  of  corn 
of  many  acres,  where  more  than  one-half  was  thus  ruined." 

About  the  last  week  in  Soptcmber,  these  birds,  in  ini- 
meiiso  liocks,  depart  on  their  southern  migration :  so  abun- 
dant are  they  at  tliat  time,  and  so  closely  do  tiiey  fly 
together  in  a  flock,  tliat  I  have  killed,  at  one  discharge  of 
my  gun,  over  a  dozen  birds.  They  visit  the  beech  woods, 
and  also  the  oak  groves,  and  feed  upon  the  nuts  found 
on  and  beneatli  those  trees.  They  also  cat  the  seeds  of 
weeds  anU  various  wild  plants,  as  I  have  proved  by  cxamiu 
ing  the  sloninchs  of  difti'rcnt  specimens. 

In  tlie  evidence  before  the  Committee  on  Agriculture,  in 
the  session  of  Massachusetts  Legislature,  for  ISGO  and  'TO, 
it  ap])eared»i'rom  the  testimony  of  numerous  observers,  tluit 
the  Crow  Blackbird,  or  Orakle,  destroys,  in  the  breeding 
season  of  the  smaller  birds,  great  numbers  of  eggs  and 
young  birds,  eating  them  after  the  manner  of  the  jays  and 
crows,  i  have  not  observed  this  fact  mysell",  but  on  inquiry 
liud  from  different  observers  that  such  is  often  the  habit  of 
this  species 


THE    AMKUICAN    RAVEN, 


355 


jgressive  stages, 
nake  its  appeai- 
mu   signal    witli 
tiiic;;  f„r  a  fcwuial 
lis,  anil  bi'gin  to 
teving  tlie  green 
vengeance  of  tlio 
i  are  soon  forgot 


Family   CORVIDiE. 

rriinariea  ten;  the  first  short,  pcncrnlly  ntioiit  hnlf  hs  lonff  iis  the  Rccoml  (or  u 
liltli'  iri'ire),  the  outer  four  sinuatcd  on  the  inner  edj^e;  tlic  na«iil  fossoe  and  nostrils 
ii'iiially  more  or  less  concealed  liy  narrow  stiffened  liristlc-;  (or  hristly  t'eathcrs),  willi 
(ihort  appressod  lateral  hranclies  cxtcndinj;  to  the  very  tip,  all  directed  forwards; 
tarsi  scutellate  anteriorly,  the  si<les  undivided  (except  sonielinies  lielow)  and  separa- 
teil  from  the  anterior  plates  hy  a  narrow,  naked  strip,  sometimes  tilled  up  with  small 
scales;  hasal  joint  of  middle  toe  united  ahout  equally  to  the  lateral,  generally  hir 
about  half  the  length;  bill  generally  notched. 


ears  are  In  their 
ea"'ernoss  by  tlic 
0(1  bodies.     They 
the  corn,  dig  oft" 
of  leaves  as  dex- 
,iiitr  laid  bare  the 
lbs  and  shrivelled 
seen  fields  of  corn 
IS  ruined." 

se  birds,  in  im- 
ation :  so  abiui- 
.oly  do  they  fly 
one  discharo-c  of 
the  beech  woods, 
the  nuts  fouiul 
cat  the  seeds  of 
oved  by  examiu 

n   Agriculture,  in 

for  1SG9  and  'TO, 

)us  observers,  that 

in  the  luvedintr 

srs  of  e}2'gs  and 

of  the  jays  and 

elf,  but  on  inquiry 

often  the  habit  of 


Suh-Family   CoiiviN^.. —  The  Crows. 

Wings  long  and  pointed;  longer  than  the  tail,  and,  when  closed,  reaching  nearly 
to  its  tip,  extending  far  beyond  the  under  tail  coverts;  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth 
tpiills  fiirming  the  tip  of  the  wing. 


CORVUS,  LiNN.EUs. 

Cor"<ts,  LiXN.EUS,  Syst.  Nat.  (1735).  (Typ3  Con^is  corax,  L.) 
The  nasal  feathers  lengthened,  reacliing  to  or  beyond  the  middle  of  the  bill; 
nostrils  large,  circular,  overhung  behind  by  mambrane,  the  edges  rounded  else- 
where; rictus  without  bristles;  bill  nearly  as  long  .is  the  tarsus,  very  stout;  much 
higher  than  broad  at  the  base;  culmen  much  arched;  wings  reaching  to  or  nearly  to 
the  tip  of  the  tail;  t.irsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  with  a  series  of  small  .scales  on 
tlie  middle  of  each  side  separating  the  anterior  scutell.ite  portion  from  the  posterior 
continuous  plates;  side  of  the  head  occasionally  with  nearly  naked  patches;  tail 
gr.iduated  or  rounded;  the  outer  four  primaries  sinuated  internally. 

CORVUS    C&nmVORVS.  —  nartrnm. 

The  American  Baven. 

Coniis  carnknrus,  Bartram.     Travels  in  E.  Florida  (17'j3),  290. 
Cmi'iis  corra,  Wilson.     Am.  Om.,  IX.  (1825)  136.     Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1832)  202. 
And.  IJirds  Am.,  IV.  (1812)  78. 

Df-scrhtion. 

Fourth  quill  longest ;  third  and  fifth  about  equal ;  second  between  fifth  and  sLxtti ; 
first  nearly  equal  to  the  eighth;  entirely  glossj-  black,  with  violet  reflections. 

In  this  species,  the  feathers  of  the  head  above  and  body  are  compact  and  blended ; 
tlin«e  of  the  back  of  the  neck  are  very  smooth  and  even,  but  do  not  show  the  out- 
linos  of  e,ich  separately  as  elsewhere;  on  the  chin  ami  throat,  the  feathers  are 
ilongated  and  lanceolate,  each  one  more  or  less  pendent  or  free,  with  the  outlines 
distinct  to  near  the  base;  the  bill  is  very  long  (three  inches),  and  consideiably 
curved,  the  upper  mandible  extending  considerably  over  the  upper  at  the  end. 


RoO 


OIJNITHOLOOY    AND   OOLOGY. 


'I'lu'  ft'ct  appear  von- sliort  and  stout;  the  tani  with  but  seven  gcutcllip,  rathei 
lontjcr  than  the  iniilillo  toe  and  chiw;  tlie  hiteral  claws  nhout  equal,  and  extendiii;; 
to  a  littlo  bevijiul  the  biiKe  of  the  inid<lli'  claw;  the  Inurtli  (piill  in  Um^^unt,  the 
third  about  cipial  the  fil'th,  the  second  considerably  longer  than  the  sixth,  the  first 
about  equal  to  tliu  ci^^hlh  priiiian  . 

5-engtli,  about  twenty-four  or  twenty-live  iiulies;  extent,  fifty  to  fifly-one;  winfj, 
about  sevcnticu;  tail,  teu.  Tail  moderately  graduated;  the  outer  about  one  and 
sixty  one-hundreilths  to  one  and  ninety  one-hiuidrcdths  of  an  inch  less  than  tli9 
middle. 

THIS  bird  is  an  extromoly  raro  resident  in  New  England. 
I  have  never  heard  of  its  l)reeding  here  ;  but  it  occa- 
sionally rears  its  young  on  the  island  of  Grand  Menan, 

off  the  north  -  east  coast  of 
Maine.  There,  on  the  steep 
and  almost  inaccessible  cliffs, 
its  nest  is  built.  Tliis  is  com- 
posed of  twigs,  sticks,  seaweed, 
and  pieces  of  turf,  and  is  lined 
witli  the  finer  seaweeds  and 
algae  found  on  the  seacoast. 

A  nest  that  I  found  in  Ohio 
was  built  on  a  jutting  rock  in 
0,  large  cave.  On  ascending 
to  it,  I  found  that  it  was  built 
of  coarse  sticks  and  twigs,  and 
was  lined  with  leaves,  strips 
of  bark,  and  pieces  of  moss. 
This  nest  had  been  occupied  —  so  a  settler  told  me  —  for  a 
number  of  years,  by  the  same  pair  of  birds,  who  made  tlio 
cave  and  its  surrounding  forest  their  permanent  home 
through  the  year. 

From  its  protected  situation,  it  required  but  few  altera- 
tions and  additions  each  year ;  and  many  of  the  sticks  of 
which  it  was  composed  were  quite  rotten  and  decayed. 

It  contained  five  young,  about  half-grown.     As  this  was 
on  the  18th  of  March,  I  judged  the  eggs  must  have  been 
!aid  by  the  20th  of  February. 
The  eggs  of  this  species  are  generally  four  or  five  in 


THE   COMMON   CUOW. 


number:  they  almost  exactly  roseniltlo  those  of  llie  Coui- 
iiion  Crow;  hut  are  coiisideralily  hirgor,  averaging  ulxiut 
two  inches  iu  length  by  l.oo  ineii  in  breadth. 

A  specimen  in  my  colleelion,  of  undoubted  authenticity, 
collected  on  Grand  Munau,  is  much  smaller  than  the  usual 
.size,  being  but  1.70  by  1.24  inch  iu  dimensions. 

Tiie  hal)its  of  (his  bird  have  been  described  so  many 
times,  and  are  so  familiar  to  all,  that  I  will  not  give  them 
an  extended  notice  here. 


Uy  four  or  five  in 


COBVUS  AMEBICANUS.  — ^u(/u/«'». 

The  Common  Crow. 

Ormu  cnrone,  Wilson.    Am.  Orii.,  IV.  (Ibll)  79.    Niitt.  Man.,  I.  (IfK)  2u». 
Contit  Americatius,  Audubuii.    Oru.  Uiog.,  II.  (Ib34)  ai7;  V.  477.    Nutt.  Man., 
I.  (2(1  ed.,  1840)  221. 

Deschiition. 

Fourth  quill  longest,  second  shorter  tliun  sixth,  first  shorter  than  ninth;  kIoxsv 
tilaclc  with  violet  reHections,  even  on  tlic  bully;  tarsus  longer  than  the  niiildlu  toe 
iiiid  claw. 

Tlie  bill  is  considerably  narrower  than  hi{{h  or  much  compressed;  it  is  giiitly 
curved  from  the  very  base,  rather  more  rapidly  towards  the  tip;  the  incumbent 
feathers  of  the  nostril  reach  half  the  distancu  from  the  base  of  tlie  bill  to  lliu  end  of 
the  lower  jaw,  and  not  quite  half-way  to  that  of  the  upper. 

The  tarsus  has  eight  scutella;  anteriorly,  aud  is  rather  longer  than  the  middle  tu« 
and  claw;  the  hiteral  toe.s  are  very  nearly  equal;  the  inner  claw  the  larger,  ami 
reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  claw. 

The  webs  of  the  tliroat  feathers  are  a  little  loose,  but  lie  quite  smoothly,  without 
the  piiinted  lanceolate  character  seen  in  the  ravens. 

Length,  nineteen  to  twenty  inches ;  wing,  thirteen  to  thirteen  and  fifty  onc-hun- 
dredths;  tall,  about  eight  inches. 

TIlis  well-known  bird  is  abundant  through  New  England 
in  the  summer,  and  in  mild  winters  is  a  resident  through 
tlie  year.  The  species  —  as  Mr.  Allen  justly  remarks,  in 
his  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Springfield,  Mass.  — "  seems 
to  have  diminished  very  materially  in  numbers  in  the  last 
six  or  eight  years  ;  hundreds,  and  probably  tlioiisands,  hav- 
ing been  killed  in  the  State  by  the  use  of  strychnine  almost 
every  year." 

About  the  first  week  in  May,  the  birds  separate  into  pairs, 
and  soon  commence  building.    The  nest  is  usually  built  in  a 


;l 


3r)8 


OKNITFIOLOOY    AND   OOLOOY. 


;5!l 


fork  of  a  lull  piuc,  Hoinutiincs  in  a  thick  l^iicli  or  Iioinlock  : 
it  18  Cfuistnicted  of,  firHt,  a  liiyor  of  coarso  twigs  and  .sticks, 
then  a  layer  of  tho  l)ark  of  the  cedar,  moss,  and  sonictinius 
l»iniches  of  grass;  it  is  warndy  lined  witli  tiie  l)!irk  of  tlie 
I'edar,  and  sometimes  a  few  leaves.  Tho  eggs  are  usually 
lour  in  nnmhor:  their  color  is  of  dillerent  shades  of  green, 
which  is  covered  with  hlotchesand  spots  of  dilleront  hrowns, 
and  dusky.  Dimensions  vary  fronx  !.()')  hy  1.20  to  l.oO  by 
l.U-S  inch.     IJut  one  brood  is  reared  in  the  .neason. 

Perhaps  no  branch  of  American  rural  economy  has  boon 
so  little  investigated  as  the  food  of  our  native  birds.  In 
Europe,  within  a  few  years,  tho  attention  of  scientific  men 
has  l)eon  turned  to  tho  subject:  but  the  information  they 
have  been  aide  to  obtain,  although  valuable,  cannot,  of 
course,  bo  applied,  otherwise  than  by  a  series  of  analogies, 
to  this  country ;  and  the  economical  value  of  most  of  our 
spocios  is  as  yet  almost  entirely  unknown  to  us.  This  igno- 
rance is  owing,  principally,  to  the  difficulty  attending  such 
investigations, —  the  killing  of  great  numbers  of  birds  hi 
all  the  seasons  when  they  are  found  with  us,  which  is  abso- 
lutely necessary,  but  which  is  extremely  distasteful  to  most 
persons ;  and  it  has  been  aggravated  somewhat  by  the  con- 
tradictory statements  of  various  persons  in  difTerent  locali- 
ties regarding  the  food  of  some  species  that  they  have  had 
the  means  of  observing. 

Of  those  birds,  none  have  given  rise  to  more  controversy 
than  tho  Corvidce  ;  and  I  propose  to  discuss  briefly  here  this 
interesting  topic,  and  bring  a  few  facts  and  arguments, 
founded  on  reason  or  actual  observation,  to  show  their 
actual  economical  value. 

Until  very  recently,  I  have  been  the  earnest  advocate  of 
these  birds,  and  have  believed  that  tho  benefits  they  render 
much  more  than  balance  the  injuries  they  inflict ;  but  1 
must  say,  that,  after  careful  consideration,  my  faith  in  tlieir 
utility  is  sadly  shaken. 

At  the  outset  I  will  say,  that  I  have  kept  specimens  in 


or  liomlock : 
s  uikI  sticks, 
id  HomiitiintJS 
s  bark  of  tl»« 
H  jiro  urtiuiUy 
idort  of  groon, 
forciit  brownw, 
.20  to  1  .oO  by 
iison. 

loiny  lias  been 
ive  birds.     In 
scientific  men 
Ibnnation  tbcy 
lie,  cimnot,  of 
s  of  analogies, 
of  most  of  oni- 
us.    Thisigno- 
attcnding  such 
[ers  of  birds  in 
,  which  is  abso- 
tastefnl  to  most 
rhat  by  tl\e  con- 
ditTercnt  locali- 
,  they  have  had 

lore  controversy 

)ricfly  here  this 

and  arguments, 

to  show  their 

lest  advocate  of 
cfits  they  render 
y  inflict;  b\it  1 
my  faith  in  their 


^fel 


I 


Common  Ciiow,  Corviis  Anien'rdiiiin.     AiubiVmn. 


■  f 


m 


THE  COMMON  ruow. 


:l.VJ 


rn[)fivity  ;  and  liuvc,  l>y  iicliial  (ilistMviilioii,  provi-i]  lliut  ni 
It'asl  I'ililit  (Miiit't's  (tf  s\iv\\  roiiil  n-A  iVn^fs,  lisli,  Ac,  iin;  tMlcii 
fi'iily  l»y  our  Cuiuiuou  Crow.  Of  uoiirso,  likf  otlcr  l»ir<l«,  it 
(.an  live  oil  a  v*M'y  liiuitiMl  allowtiucf ;  ))iit  I  think  that  tho 
iihovt!  is  a  ri'iisoiial>h'  aiiioiiiit:  liowovor.  to  hi'  ali.Holuti'ly 
within  lioiimis,  wi;  will  li\  (ho  food  of  tlit;  (.'row  to  Im!  <>i|ii;i1 
to  livi;  ounces  of  aiiiiiial  inatti'r  piT  dii'iii.  Jcjrinninjr,  tiicn, 
with  the  now  yoar,  wu  will  follow  tin!  lifo  of  this  iiird  throin^h 
nil  tlio  seasons,  and  tlicii  eoinparo  tlio  results  arri\i'd  at 
topalior,  good  and  hud. 

During  the  nionths  of  .January,  Fijhruary,  and  March, 
when  the  face  of  the  country  is  covered  with  snow,  the 
insects  heing  donnant,  and  the  small  hirds  away  to  more 
southern  districts,  most  of  tiie  Crows  migrate  frtuii  New 
Kiigland :  and  the  few  that  remain  depend  upon  a  scanty 
sulisistence  of  seeds  of  wild  plants  and  weeds,  ac(jrns,  apples 
that  have  heen  left  on  the  trees  in  the  orchard,  and  frozen  ; 
and  they  occasionally  capture  a  iield-inouse  that  strays  from 
its  nost  in  the  stuhhle-lield  or  swamp.  The  life  of  the  Crow 
during  these  months  is  ouo  continued  starvation ;  and  the 
I'.Kpression,  "  poor  as  a  crow,"  may  he  applied  to  it,  as  well 
doscrihing  its  condition.  It  succeeds  in  linding  a  few 
cocoons  of  Lepidopteroua  insects;  meets  occasionally  with  a 
caterpillar  or  beetle ;  and,  on  the  whole,  its  labors  during 
these  months  may  bo  called  benelicial ;  although  the  good 
resulting  from  them  is  of  so  little  amount  that  we  might 
safely  regard  them  as  neutral.  But,  to  Ite  beyond  the  chance 
of  doing  it  an  injustice,  we  will  assume,  that,  during  the 
tiiree  months  above  mentioned,  the  Crow  does  as  much  good 
as  during  the  whole  month  of  April. 

Let  us  adopt,  iii  this  discussion,  a  system  of  numerals  to 
signify  the  relative  values  of  this  bird  through  the  year; 
taking  the  unit  one  to  represent  the  labors  of  each  day.  The 
Crow  is  therefore  valuable,  during  January,  February,  and 
March,  thirty  units,  and  in  April  is  unquestionably  thirty 
units  more ;   for  its  food  then  consists  almost   entirely  of 


i 

.-11 

i 


■6Q0 


OHNITHOLOCiY    AND   OOLC^"^ 


*i 

fJ 

C? 

■n 

■"<ff 

;!! 

'    '    ■  . 

■I 

•^ 

•1 

15 

tk 

it 

*•»• 

;** 

,tf 


noxious  insects  in  their  dilTeront  forms.  It  is  perfectly  safe 
to  say,  tliat  it  would  destroy  a  thousand  insects  in  making 
uj)  tlie  amount  of  food  that  I  mentioned  above  ;  and  it  is  not 
improbable,  that,  during  this  mouth,  it  actually  eats  tiiat 
number  daily. 

During  the  first  half  of  May,  its  labors  are  undoubtedly 
beneficial;  for  its  food  still  consists  almost  entirely  of  bi- 
sects :  but  after  the  middle  of  that  month,  when  the  small 
birds  iiave  begun  to  lay  their  eggs  and  hutch  their  young, 
the  Crow  divides  its  diet  pretty  equally  between  them  and  the 
insects.  Now,  it  is  not  apparent,  at  the  first  glance,  how 
immensely  injurious  it  becomes  the  moment  it  begins  to 
destroy  the  eggs  and  young  of  our  small  birds  ;  but  we  may 
demonstrate  it  to  an  apiu'oximation.  We  will  allow,  that, 
during  the  latter  part  of  May,  half  of  its  food  consists  of 
injurious  insects  and  other  vermin  :  it  is  therefore  beneficial 
in  the  whole  month  about  twenty-three  units.  But  it  is 
perfectly  reasonable  to  say,  that  it  destroys  at  least  the  eggs 
or  young  of  one  pair  of  Sparrows,  four  iii  number  ;  one  pair 
of  Warblers,  four  in  number ;  and  one  pair  of  Thrushes  or 
Starlings,  four  in  number:  for  I  have  known  one  pair  of 
Canada  Jays  to  kill  and  devour  the  half-grown  young  of  four 
families  of  Snowbirds  (Janco  hyemalis'),  sixteen  birds  in  all, 
in  one  forenoon  ;  and  have  seen  a  pair  of  crows,  in  two 
visits  to  an  orchard,  within  a  half-hour's  time,  destroy  the 
young  birds  in  two  robins'  nests. 

Now,  let  us  see  what  the  injury  amounts  to  that  it  does  in 
destroying  the  four  eggs  or  young  of  the  Sparrows,  Warblers, 
and  Thrushes.  It  is  a  well-known  fact,  that  the  young  of 
all  our  small  birds,  whether  insectivorous  or  graminivorous 
in  the  adult  stage,  are  fed  entirely  on  insects.  Bradley 
eays  that  a  pair  of  Sparrows  will  destroy  iJ,300  caterpillars 
for  a  week's  family  suj)plies.  For  four  weeks,  at  the  lowest 
estimate,  the  young  of  our  Sparrows  are  fed  on  this  diet ; 
and  the  family  that  the  crow  destroys  would,  in  that  time, 
eat  at  leaat  li>,4-i0  noxious  insects ;  and,  as  they  feed  moro 


j  i  'i 


TIIK    COMMON    CUOW. 


;'.i;i 


or  less  ui)OU  the  same  diet  during  their  stay  with  us,  killing 
certainly  as  many  as  fii'ty  insects  each  daily,  the  luniily 
would  devour  two  hundred  per  diem,  or,  before  they  leave 
us  in  Septemlier,  as  many  as  twenty  thousand.  The  War- 
blers are  entirely  insectivorous,  and  we  can  certainly  allow 
them  iV6  great  destructive  capacity  as  the  Sparrows.  The 
lour  that  the  crow  destroys  would  have  devoured,  bel'ore 
they  leave  us  in  autumn,  at  least  thirty  thousand  cater- 
pillars and  other  insects.  A  pair  of  thrushes  has  been 
actually  seen  to  carry  over  a  luiudred  insects,  principally 
caterpillars,  to  their  young  in  au  hour's  time :  if  we  su})- 
pose  that  the  family  mentioned  above  be  fed  for  only  six 
hours  in  the  day,  they  would  eat  six  hundred  per  diem,  at 
least  while  they  remain  in  the  nest,  which  being  three  weeks, 
the  amount  would  be  12,600 ;  and  before  they  leave  us  in 
the  fall,  allowing  only  fifty  each  per  day,  —  a  very  small 
number,  —  they  would,  in  the  aggregate,  kill  twenty  thou- 
sand more. 

Now,  we  find  that  the  Crow  in  one  day  destroys  birds 
that  would  together  eat  96,040  insects  before  they  would 
leave  us  for  their  winter  homes,  or  about  ninety-six  times  as 
many  as  it  would  eat  in  a  day  if  its  food  consisted  entirely 
of  them.  It  is  therefore  uijurious,  during  the  last  half  of 
May,  —  keeping  our  original  calculation  in  view,  —  598 
units. 

During  the  whole  month  of  June  and  the  first  half  of 
July,  while  its  family  are  in  the  nest,  it  is  at  least  doubly 
destructive  ;  for  its  young  are  possessed  of  voracious  appe- 
tites, requiring  an  abundance  of  food  to  supply  them.  Al- 
lowing, then,  that  of  its  and  their  diet,  half  consists  of  insects 
during  this  period,  it  is  beneficial  about  forty-six  units  ;  but, 
as  at  least  one-half  of  the  other  half  consists  of  young  birds 
and  eggs,  it  is  injurious,  during  the  same  period,  at  least  96 
units  daily,  or  4,320  units  for  June  and  the  first  half  of 
July.  The  remauiing  quarter  of  its  and  their  food,  durii'g 
tliis  time,  consists  of  berries  and  various  small  seeds  and 


ri 


862 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


•  ! 
c:! 


reptiles ;  and  this  diet  may  be  considered  as  of  neutral  im- 
portance, economically  speaking. 

During  the  last  halt'  of  July,  and  through  August  and 
the  first  half  of  September,  its  diet  consists  of  about  half 
insects  and  mice  ;  and  the  balance,  of  berries  and  small 
fruits.  It  is  therelbre,  during  this  time,  beneficial  about 
thirty  units,  and  is  not  injurious,  otherwise  than  by  eating 
garden  fruits  or  grains,  —  items  that  I  do  not  consider  in 
the  present  discussion.  From  the  middle  of  September 
until  November,  its  food  h^scs  much  of  its  fruit  character, 
because  of  the  failure  of  suj)ply,  and  it  leeds  at  least  two- 
thirds  on  insects  and  other  noxious  animals :  it  is  theru'bre 
beneficial  thirty  units,  and  is  not  injurious ;  and,  during 
November  and  December,  it  is  beneficial  to  about  the  same 
extent  that  it  is  in  February  and  March,  or  about  forty 
units. 

We  have  now  l)ut  to  condense  the  foregoing  results,  and 
we  have,  in  the  aggregate,  the  sum  total  of  the  Crow's 
merits  and  demerits. 

We  find,  that,  during  the  whole  year,  it  is  beneficial  to  the 
amount  of  229  units,  and  that  it  is  injurious  to  the  extent 
of  4,918  units.  If,  for  the  sake  of  the  greatest  indulgence, 
we  take  but  one-fourth  of  this  enormous  disproportion  as 
the  actual  fact,  we  still  have  an  exhibit  that  proves  at  once 
that  these  birds  are  not  only  worthless,  but  are  ruinously 
destructive. 

In  presenting  this  extended  sketch,  I  will  say  that  I  am 
not  moved  in  the  least  by  prejudice  or  ill  feeling  for  a  much- 
disliked  bird,  but  that  I  state  the  facts  as  they  are,  and 
simply  to  tl'.row  a  little  light  on  a  subject  that  has  given 
rise  to  much  discussion  and  controversy.  In  conclusion, 
I  will  say  that  the  Jays  are  equally  injurious  with  the  Crows, 
and  that  they  arc  not  deserving  of  a  moment's  iudulgenco 
or  protection  at  the  hands  of  the  ruralist. 


icutral  im- 

aigust  ami 
about  luvll" 
and  small 
licial  about 
u  by  eatinjj; 

consiilci"  '•' 

■  September 
it  character, 
it  least  two- 
;  is  tberi.*"ore 

and,  durhig 
,ut  the  same 

■  about  forty 

;  results,  and 
f  the  Crow's 

neficial  to  the 
to  the  extent 
st  indulgence, 
sproportion  as 
roves  at  once 
are  ruinously 

say  that  I  am 
,ng  for  a  much- 

they  arc,  and 
that  has  given 
In  conclusion, 
with  the  Crows, 
iit's  indulgence 


I 


FlSB   CilOW,  Vurvus  osiifraguii.     Wilsou. 


^>_r?ii!nL'«ap^»^w 


Ka 


»5;| 


!? 


THE   FISH    CROW. 


363 


CORVDS   OSSIFBAGUS.  —  mUon. 

The  Finh  Crow. 

Coitus  ossi/i(iyui,\Vi\:n)n.  Am.  Orn.,  V.  (1812)  27.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  (1!>32)  216. 
Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  208;  V.  479. 

DEscniPTiox. 

Fourth  quill  longest;  second  rather  longer  tlmn  seventb  fu-st  shorter  than  the 
ninth;  glossy-black,  with  green  and  violet  reflections;  the  gloss  of  the  belly 
greenish. 

In  this  species  the  bill  is  shaped  much  as  in  tne  Common  Crow,  the  upjier  outline 
pi'iliaps  a  little  more  convex;  the  bristly  feathers  at  the  base  of  the  bill  reach 
nearly  half-way  to  the  tip;  I  lind  no  bare  space  at  the  base  of  tlie  lower  mandible, 
jltlioiigh  the  feathers  are  not  (r.'te  so  thick  there  as  in  the  Common  Crow;  the 
liirsus  has  eight  transverse  scu'ei'  e,  .'uul  is  decidedly  shorter  than  the  miildle  toe 
with  its  claw;  the  lateral  cla  .-s  di'  not  reach  within  one-tenth  of  an  inch  of  the  base 
of  the  middle  claw. 

The  wings  are  long  and  acute;  the  fourth  is  longest;  ne.xt  the  third,  tifth,  second, 
and  sixth ;  the  iirst  is  about  as  long  as  the  secondaries. 

Length,  about  fifteen  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  ten  and  fifty  one- 
huudrcdths  inches;  tail  less  than  seven  inches;  tarsus  shorter  than  Uie  middle 
toe  and  claw. 

Hub.  —  South  Atlantic  (a       Gulf  ?)  coast. 

This  bird  is  so  extremely  rare  in  New  England,  that  it 
can  be  regarded  only  as  an  occasional  straggler.  I  under- 
stand that  it  has  been  taken  on  Long  Island,  and,  on  one 
or  two  occasions,  in  Connecticut,  in  company  with  the  Com- 
mon Crow. 

Audubon  says  of  the  habits  of  this  species,  — 

"  While  on  the  St.  John's  River  in  Florida,  during  the  montb  of 
February,  I  saw  flocks  of  Fish  Crows,  consisting  of  several  hun- 
dred individuals,  sailing  high  in  the  air,  somewhat  in  the  manner 
of  the  Raven.  These  aerial  excursions  would  last  for  hours, 
during  the  calm  of  a  fine  morning,  after  which  the  wliole  would 
descend  toward  the  water  to  pursue  their  more  usual  avocations  in 
nil  the  sociability  of  their  nature.  When  their  fishing,  which  lasted 
jil)out  half  an  hour,  was  over,  they  would  alight  in  flocks  on  the 
live  oaks  and  other  trees  near  the  shore,  and  there  keep  up  their 
gabble,  pluming  themselves  for  hours. 

"  The  nest  of  this  species  is  smaller  than  that  of  the  Common 
Crow,  and  is  composed  of  sticks,  moss,  and  grasses,  neatly  finLihed 


i; 


::;S£a2*3 


iJ()4 


OUNITHOLOOY    AND    OOLOUy. 


or  lined  witli  libroiis  roots.     Tlic  r'^'^n  are  from  four  to  six,  and 
resemble  those  of  tlie  American  Crow,  but  are  smaller." 

Two  cgtrs  ia  my  colloctioii,  from  Florida,  aro  of  the 
above  (i(;.scription,  and  are  almost  exactly  like  the  others, 
measuring  a  little  smaller :  their  dimensions  being  l.GO  hy 
1.10  inch  and  1.52  by  1.04  inch. 


•A 
r-i 


'•1 
id 


Sub-Fumihj  Gakrl'lin^k. —  The  Jays. 

Wings  short,  rounded;  not  loiigur  or  muck  shorter  thiiu  the  tail,  whirh  is  grad- 
uated, sometimes  excessively  so ;  wings  reaching  not  much  beyond  tlie  lower  till! 
coverts;  bristly  feathers  at  base  of  bill,  variable;  bill  nearly  as  long  as  the  head,  oi 
shorter;  tarsi  longer  than  the  bill  or  than  the  middle  toe;  outer  lateral  claws  rather 
shorter  than  the  inner. 

CYANURA,  SwAiNsoN. 

Cynnurus,  Swainson,  F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1831)  495,  App.  (Type  Corvui  cristatus, 
Linn.) 

Head  crested;  wings  and  tail  blue,  with  transverse  black  bars;  head  and  back 
of  the  same  color;  bill  rather  slender,  somewhat  broader  than  high  at  the  base;  cul- 
men  about  equal  to  the  head;  nostrils  large,  nearly  circular,  concealed  by  bristles; 
tail  about  as  long  as  the  wings,  lengthened,  graduated;  hind  claw  large,  longer  than 
its  digit. 

The  culmen  is  straight  to  near  the  tip,  where  it  Is  gently  decurved ;  the  gonys  is 
convex  at  the  base,  then  stroight  and  ascending;  the  bill  has  a  very  slight  notch  at 
the  tip;  the  nostrils  are  large,  nearly  circular,  or  slightly  elliptical;  the  commissure 
is  straight  at  the  base,  then  bending  down  slightly  near  the  tip;  the  legs  present  no 
special  peculiarities;  the  crest  on  the  head  consists  of  a  number  of  elongated,  narrow, 
lanceolate  occipital  feathers. 


GTANDRUS  CBISTATUS.  —  Swainson. 

The  Blue  Jay. 

Corvus  cristattis,  Linnieus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (10th  ed.,  1768)  106.  Wils.  Am.  Om. 
1  ',1808)  2.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  11;  V.  (183ft)  475. 

Cyanurus  cristatus,  Swainson.    F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1831)  App.  496. 

Description. 

Crest  about  one-third  longer  than  the  bill ;  tail  much  graduated ;  general  color 
above,  light  purplish-blue;  wings  and  tail  feathers  ulU'aniarine-blue ;  the  se.condaries 
and  tertials,  tlie  greater  wing  coverts,  and  the  exposed  surface  oi'  the  tail,  sharply 


to  six,  and 
ei-." 

ivc  of  the 
the  others, 
in«?  1.00  by 


nil,  wliirh  is  grad- 
j„d  the  lower  tail 
iig  as  the  head,  oi 
iteral  claws  rulUi-r 


■pe  Corvut  crittatiu^, 

irs;  head  and  back 
ghat  the  base;  cul- 
mcealed  by  bristles; 
w  large,  longer  than 

urved;  the  gonys  is 
very  slight  notch  at 
cal;  the  commissure 
1  the  legs  present  no 
of  elongated,  narrow, 


108.    Wils.  Am.  Om. 

).  496. 

iduated;  general  color 
3-blue;  the  secondaries 

face  of  the  tail,  sharply 


SI 
i; 


Blue  Jay,  Ci/tniuni  cn'sla/a.     Swaiiison. 


.11^,1 


TIIK   nUIK   JAY. 


^65 


bandi'il  with  blaik,  nnd  hrnnilly  tippi'il  wiili  wliitr,  cxcnpt  on  tlio  rcnlnl  (nil  fcatlii'M; 
bcnnitli  wliitc;  tiii),'i'(l  with  piirplisli-l)Iii(<  on  the  thnmt,  nnd  with  lihiiHli-liruwn 
on  the  sidva;  a  liln(k  tri'sccnt  on  the  tiircpiirt  nt"  tlio  lirt'iist,  tlu!  hcirns  pnssini;  l'i)r- 
wnrd  and  conncctin  with  n  linlt'-colinr  on  thi'  limk  of  the  neck;  n  nnrrotv  Iroiital 
line  and  lornl  region  l)lnek;  IVntliors  on  tlie  hn»<^  of  tlic  l)ill  l)hio,  like  the  crown. 
Female  rather  duller  in  color,  nnd  a  little  snntllcr. 

Length,  twelve  and  twenty-five  one-hiindredths  iiuhes;  wini;,  live  nnd  si.ity-livi' 
one-hundredths  inches;  tail,  five  and  Reventy-flve  one-luindrcdths  inches. 


This  beautiful  and  wcU-knowu  binl  in  abundantly  dis- 
tril)utod  throu.t>l»out  New  England.  It  is  less  common  in 
the  nortltern  than  in  the  soutiicni  districts,  but  is  often  scon 
there,  not  in  company  with  the  Canada  Jay,  however. 

Its  food  is  more  varied  than  that  of  almost  any  other 
bird  that  wo  have.  In  winter,  the  berries  of  tlie  cedar,  bar 
berry  or  black-thorn,  with  the  few  cirgs  or  cocoons  of  in- 
sects tliat  it  is  able  to  find,  constitute  its  chief  sustenance. 
In  early  spring,  the  opening  buds  of  shrubs,  caterpillars, 
and  other  insects,  afford  it  a  meagre  di'^t.  Later  in  tlie 
spring,  and  tlirough  the  greater  part  of  summer,  the  eggs 
and  young  of  the  smaller  birds  constitute  its  chief  food, 
varied  by  a  few  insects  and  early  berries.  LattM'  in  the 
summer,  and  iu  early  autumn,  berries,  small  fruits,  iirains, 
and  a  few  insects,  afford  it  a  bountiful  provender ;  and  later 
iu  the  autumn,  when  the  frosts  have  burst  open  the  burrs 
of  chestnuts  and  beechnuts,  and  exposed  the  brown,  ripe 
fruit  to  view,  these  form  a  palatable  and  acceptalde  food  • 
and  a  large  share  of  these  delicious  nuts  fall  to  the  portioa 
of  these  busy  and  garrulous  birds. 

The  notes  of  the  Blue  Jay  consist  of  a  shrill  cry,  like 
jay-jay-jaij  repeated  often,  and  in-  a  high  key ;  a  shrill 
whistle  like  the  syllables  tvheeo-irheeo-wheeo ;  a  hoarse 
rattle,  something  like  a  Kingfisher's  well-known  alarum ; 
and  an  exceedingly  sweet  bell-like  note,  that  possesses  a 
mournful  tone,  like  that  of  a  fi>,r-off  hamlet  bell  tolling 
a  funeral  dirge. 

I  have  often  heard  this  tone  in  the  autumn,  when  the 
leaves  were  falling  from  the  trees,  and  all  natiu-e  wore  its 


' 


I 

I! 
Ji 


860 


ORNITIIOLOr.Y    AND    OOT.Or.Y. 


fuiioral  livery  ;  ami  it  scoinod  to  nio,  when  the  clear  notes  of 
the  bird  were  echoed  from  hill-Hide  to  liill-sido  in  the  forcHt, 
that  it  wiis  wandering  liko  a  forest  elf  thronj;)!  tlio  trees, 
monrninj!;  tlie  decay  of  all  the  charms  that  had  made  them 
80  l)eaulirul  tlirongh  the  spring  and  summer. 

Ahout  the  first  or  second  week  in  May,  the  Blue  Jay  com- 
mences building.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  a  fork  of  a 
low  pine  or  cedar,  in  a  retired  locality  :  it  is  l()o«;;iy  eon- 
.strdcted  of  twigs  and  coarse  roots,  and  lined  with  the  sauK! 
materials,  but  of  a  liner  quality,  and  sometimes  a  few  pieces 
of  moss  or  a  few  loaves.  The  eggs  are  four  or  five  in 
numl)er.  Their  color  is  generally  light-green,  with  spots  of 
light-brown  ;  sometimes  a  dirty  brownish-gray,  spotted  with 
dillercnt  shades  of  brown  and  l)lack.  The  dimensions  vary 
from  1.20  by  .85  to  1  by  .80  inch.  But  one  brood  is  reared 
in  the  season. 

PERISOREUS,  Bo.NAPARTK. 

PfnWcJM,  Honapaute,  Saggio  di  una  dist.  met.  (1831).    (Type  CorvuB  Cnna- 

demit  ? ) 

Kentliers  hix  and  full,  especiiilly  on  the  back,  and  of  very  dull  colors,  without 
any  blue;  head  without  distinct  crest;  bil'  verj' short,  broader  than  high;  ctdmen 
scarcely  half  the  length  of  the  head,  straight  to  near  the  tip,  then  slightly  eur\-ed; 
gnn_vs  more  curved  than  culmen;  bill  notched  at  tip;  nostrils  round,  covered  by 
bristly  feathers;  tail  about  to  the  wings,  graduated;  tarsi  rather  short,  but  little 
longer  than  the  middle  toe. 

This  genus  includes  the  species  of  dullest  colors  among  all  of  our  Jays.  It  has, 
00,  the  shortest  bill,  and  with  this  feature  bears  a  very  strong  resembliince,  in  Many 
respects,  to  some  of  the  Titmice. 


PEEISOREDS  CANADENSIS.—  Bonrr;)f(W(f. 

The  Canada  Jay. 

Corvus  Canadensh,  I.inmeiis.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (17GG)  ir.8.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  III. 
(1811)  33.     Aud.  Om,  IJiog.,  II.  (1834)  53;  V.  (1S39)  208. 

Perisoretis  Cnmuhmh,  Bonaparte.    List  (1S38).     lb.,  Consp.  (1850)  375. 

Description. 

Tail  graduated;  lateral  feathers  about  one  inch  shortest;  wings  n  little  shorter 
than  the  tail;  head  and  neck,  and  forepart  of  the  breast,  white;  a  plumbeous  brown 
nuchal  patch,  becoming  darker  behind,  from  the  middle  of  the  crown  to  the  back, 
from  which  it  is  separated  by  an  interrupted  whitish  color;  rest  of  upper  parts  ashy- 


THE  CANADA    ..AY. 


367 


pliiinbi'cxin;  tlii>  outer  priniari'i  iiiar;^'iiir(l ;  lli<>  "ii'oiulnrii'H,  trrtiaN,  an<l  tall  liiitlicn 
(ili'^riinly  tijipiil  witli  wliilc;  bi'iicalli  piiioky-crftv ;  (•ri««iiiii  wliili«li;  Mil  nml  liit 
lila.U. 

Till' yniiii;;  (it' tills  "ipiNicM  aru  evcrywhcro  of  n  dull  sofity-lirown,  li(,'litir  on  ilii> 
uiiiMli'  of  till'  hilly,  ami  HMre  pluiMlicnMs  uu  tin,'  wi^ij,".  ami  tail;  willi  iiitna-'iuK 
Hj;c',  IIh'  r(';;iHii  aliout  tlio  l>a*i'  of  tlio  l>ill  wliiliMH,  nml  iIiIk  colnr  fjrnilually  oxti'iiiN 
liai'kwanis  until  tim  wliolu  head,  cxvi'ptin^  tliu  oi'iiput  nml  nope,  1.4  white;  ihu 
uudtM'  parts  aru  doiiK'tluR'S  whitrr  than  in  the  typical  Kpoi  iini'iiH. 

I.('ii;,'lh,  fen  and  seventy  DUc-luiudredlliM  inches;  win;;,  live  and  seventy- the  no«- 
huiidre  ltli<  inches;  tail,  six  inches;  tarsus,  one  and  I'oity  onc-hundrcdihs  inidies. 


Type  CorvuB  Cam- 


This  species  is  confined  to  tlio  nortliern  districts  in  New 
Eiiglaiid,  where  it  is  resident  through  the  year.  I  luvo 
not  ijeen  so  fortiiiiuto  as  to  find  tlio  nest,  and  will  have  to 
liorrow  Audubon's  description  of  that  and  the  ojrj^s:  — 

'•  The  Ciiiiada  Jay  breeds  in  Maino.  in  New  Brunswick,  Novii 
.Scotia,  Ncwfouuillaiid.  and  Liibrador.  It  begins  as  early  as  Feb- 
riiiU'y  or  Mareli  to  form  its  nest,  which  is  placed  in  tlio  tliickest 
part  of  a  fir-tree,  near  the  trunk,  and  at  a  heiglit  of  from  five  to 
ten  feet.  Tiio  exterior  is  composed  of  dry  twigs,  with  moss  and 
grass  ;  and  the  interior,  which  is  flat,  is  formed  of  fibrous  roots. 
The  eggs,  which  are  from  four  to  six,  are  of  a  light-gray  color, 
faintly  marked  with  brown." 

This  bird  is  not  generally  so  well  known  as  tlii.  jireceding. 
I  have  had  numerous  opportunities  for  observing  its  habits, 
and  I  can  positively  affirm  that  it  is  equally  rajiacious  and 
destructive  with  the  Blue  Jay,  which  it  resenildes  in  motions 
and  cry. 

I  once  knew  of  a  single  pair  of  these  birds  destroying  the 
young  in  four  nests  of  the  Common  Snowbird  (./.  hi/fmalis') 
in  a  single  day.  I  found  these  nests  in  an  old  abandoned 
lumber-road  on  the  morning  of  June  20 :  in  the  afternoon, 
when  I  returned  through  the  same  path,  every  nest  was 
depopulated;  and  a  pair  oi  the.se  Jays  were  lurking  in  the 
trees,  shouting  defiance  at  us,  while  surrounded  by  the 
afflicted  Snowbirds,  that  were  uttering  their  cries  of  com- 
plaint and  sorrow.  I  einjjtied  both  barrels  of  my  gun  in 
the  direction  of  the  Jays,  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  that 


ncs 


ORNiTnor,onY  and  ooi.onv. 


I3t:{ 

I 

r  • ' 


'  ***»; 


:'8: 


flii'y  Iiiivo  killed  no  yoim^  l)irds  siiico.  Tlio  familiniify  with 
wliidi  tliis  Hj)(,'(!io8  fnUoniizos  witli  man  in  tlio  worxls  is 
interesting  and  annisinj?.  I  was  onco  *' snowed  in,"  us  tin: 
expression  is,  in  a  large  tra(!t  of  forest,  and,  with  my  com- 
panions, was  ol)liged  to  wait  nntil  the  storni  hail  (umisimI 
hel'oro  we  conM  resume  our  march.  Wo  remaincil  in  camp 
two  days.  A  pair  of  these  Itirds,  prohahly  with  young  in 
the  neiglihorlio(jd,  visited  our  camp,  and  even  ponctrntod 
into  our  t<Mit  I'or  eruinhs  and  pieces  of  hroad.  Tliey  always 
flew  oil"  with  their  mouths  full,  and  soon  returned  for  more: 
their  visits  soon  got  to  Ikj  any  thing  hut  a  joke,  particularly 
when  they  flew  off  with  the  last  plcco  of  our  soap.  Wo 
couldn't  kill  them,  howovor;  for  any  thing  with  life  was 
company,  and  wo  folt  that  wo  had  none  of  that  to  spare. 


NOTE  S. 

I  present  a  continuation  of  Mr.  Coupor's  valualile  notes, 
taken  at  (Jucljoc,  Lower  Canada,  on  the  species  desci-ihod  in 
the  present  Order. 

TEOCHILUS  COLUBRIS,  —  Coninion  in  this  neighborliood  nnd  in  tlio 
mntintnin  wilds  niid  savannas  north  of  the  city.  I  have  had  the  pleasnre 
of  finding  its  nest  on  more  than  one  oucasion.  It  generally  arrives  here 
about  the  middle  of  May. 

CH^ITURA  PELASGIA.  —  Very  nbundiint.  It  builds  its  nest  in  unused 
(hinmcys  in  the  ';ity.  I  have  remarkeil  that  no  more  than  a  single  pair  will 
occupy  a  flue;  and,  although  tliere  are  many  instances  here  of  chimneys 
having  unused  flues,  it  is  curious  that  they  are  not  occupied  while  one  is  in 
possession  of  tlie  Swallow.  I  have  noticed  this  species  flying  over  the  woods 
many  miles  north  of  Quebec;  and  I  think  that  it  l)recds  within  large  forest- 
trees. 

ANTEOSTOMUS  VOCIFERUS.  —  'I'his  bird  is  occasionally  heard  in  the 
mountains  north  of  Quebec.  It  is,  however,  very  rare  in  this  latitude, 
which  may  bo  considered  its  northern  limit. 

CHOEDEILES  POPETUE.  —  Very  common.  It  deposits  its  eggs  in  a  small 
cavity  in  the  ground,  in  the  midst  of  a  woodland  clearing,  or  wherever  there 
is  a  young  shrubbery.  Its  principal  food  in  spring  consists  of  ants.  I  can- 
not spy  how  fi'.r  north  it  goes. 


NOTES. 


r,»ii) 


iiiliiArity  willi 

il  in,"  ivs  tho 
.ith  my  t'«)"»- 
I  hail  coiistMl 
Lii\c(l  in  ciin>i) 

,ill\  young  i» 
on  ponctmtod 
Thoy  always 
nod  for  moro : 
>,,  piulicularly 
,ur  soap.     Wo 
with  litb  waft 
at  to  aparo. 


vaUialilo  notes, 
1C9  described  in 

,orlioo(\  anil  in  the 
■e  bull  tlic  pleasure 
Inerally  arrives  here 

,  its  nest  in  unused 
[mu  a  single  pair  will 
L  hero  of  chimneys 
fipieil  while  one  is  in 
llyinp  over  the  woods 
Is  within  large  forest- 

lonally  heard  in  the 
}are  in  this  latitude, 

lits  its  eggs  in  a  small 
Lg,  or  wherever  there 
Insists  of  ants.     lean- 


CERTLE  ALCTOR.  —  Tlic  KiiiKflohir  occiirK  iihoiit  all  our  northern  iiiki'* 
and  riverii,  and  hreedn  jilontilully.  It  prolmhly  exlendjt  thrtt'  dii{ri'i>»  n'  -III 
of  liuplioc. 

TTBANNDS  CAKOLINENSIS.  —  Comimm.  It  buildn  its  ni'nt  inviirlahly 
iioHF  tkrin-hoiiiici. 

CONTOPUS  VIHENS.  —  I  di'tccti-cl  iIiIh  Nppcics  licrp  thU  iiprln«  for  the  flr»l 
llnic.     I  do  Tiot  iliirik  it  hrei'dii  coiiiinoiily  in  IiIkIi  lulitiidpii. 

EMPIDONAX  TRAILLII.  —  Thl*  ipecies  ocdiM  during  miinnier  in  tlii' 
wooiiliindN  near  (jiieliec.  It  rarely  I)uIIiIh  \t»  neNt  h'liih  from  the  Kniiind.  It 
I*  extri'inely  ciiniiing,  and  invariiilily  Heleuts  the  moit  hidden  portion  of  a 
chnnp  of  I)iinIic!4. 

TURDUS  PALLASII.  —  Thin  thrush  hreods  in  the  neJKhliorhooil  of  Quebec  ; 
but  it  U  not  coniiiKin.  It  biiildn  its  nest  much  higher  than  Wilson's  'I'lirush  ; 
tliiit  is  to  say,  llie  latter  is  generally  fouml  conceuleil  at  the  lower  ixjrtion 
of  a  bush,  while  ilie  fonner  Is  often  found  on  ft  heavily  bninuhed  pine-tree 
Tlie  egtfs  of  7'.  juillnvi  are  iilue  anil  spotted.! 

TURDUS  FUSCESCENS.  —  This  is  one  of  our  most  common  thrushes.  It 
breeds  pleiitiliilly  in  tliis  neighborhood.  Its  nest  is  generally  placed  near  the 
ground,  at  the  lower  airiions  of  bushes  growing  near  a  swamp  or  river.  The 
eggs  are  generally  lour  or  five,  of  a  clear  greenish-blue  color. 

SIALIA  SIALIS.  —  The  Hedbreasted  Hluebird  is  only  seen  hero  early  in 
8i)iing,  while  on  its  passage  to  the  West.  It  does  not  breed  in  Lower 
Canada. 

REGULU3  CALENDULA.  —  This  species,  in  company  witli  U.  mlmpn,  visit 
this  locality,  from  the  North,  in  the  autumn. 

ANTHUS  LUDOVICIANUS.  —  Common  in  the  autumn.  Thoy  frequent 
fields  and  barnyards,  and  are  generally  in  flocks.  I  think  they  breed  in 
Labrador. 

MNIOTILTA  VARIA.  —  This  species  is  not  common  in  our  Northern  woods 
It,  however,  breeds  in  the  neighborhood  of  Quebec. 

GEOTHLTPIS  TRICHAS.  —  Very  common.    Breeds. 

SEIDRUS  AUROCAPILLUS.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

DENDROICA  VIRENS.  —  Only  noticed  in  spring,  on  its  way  North.  It  wns 
rather  common  in  the  spring  of  1800. 

DENDROICA  CANADENSIS.  —  Common.     Breeds. 

DENDROICA  CORONATA.  —  Very  common  in  tlie  autumn.  I  think  they 
breed  far  nortli. 

DENDROICA  BLACKBURNIJE.  — This  beautiful  Warbler  was  very  abun- 
dant here  last  spring.    None  of  the  young  returned  this  way.    There  appears 

1  Mr.  Couper  undoubtedly  refers  to  T.  Swaintonii.  —  E.  A.  S. 
24 


370 


OUMTIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


tscs 


'•lie:! 


to  be  some  mystery  (;()iiiK'i.'te(l  witli  tlie  breeding  lociililies  of  many  of  our 
Wiirblers.  Some  of  tliem  are  found  breeding  over  tlie  whole  of  temperate 
America,  wliile  others,  who  evidently  eat  the  same  kinds  of  food,  pass  to 
tlie  inaccessible  parts  of  the  northern  forests,  where  the  foot  of  man  never 
trod. 

DENDBOICA  CASTANEA.  —  This  is  another  of  the  mysterious  Warblers 
that  shows  itself  in  spring,  and  afterwards  slowly  departs  to  its  nortliern 
hermitage. 

DENDEOICA  PINUS.  —  Spring.    Not  common.    Follows  its  kindred,  North. 

DENPEOICA  PENNSTLVANICA.  —  Not  common.    Breeds. 

DENDEOICA  C^EULEA,  —  This  species  was  very  common  in  this  oeigh- 
borhood  in  tlie  spring  of  180G.    I  have  never  seen  its  nest  or  eggs. 

DENDBOICA  STEIATA.  —  Not  common.    Breeds. 

DENDEOICA  .ESTIVA  —  Common.     Breeds. 

DENDBOICA  MACULOSA.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

MYIODIOCTES  CANADENSIS. —Common.    Breeds. 

SETOPHAGA  EtJTICILLA.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

PYEANGA  EUBEA.  —  Rarely  seen  in  the  woods  north  of  Quebec.  They 
breed  in  the  maple  woods ;  and  this  latitude  may  be  considered  its  northern 
limit  of  migration. 

HIEUNDO  HOBBEOBUM.  —  Uncommon.  It  builds  its  nest  on  the  beams 
of  out-houses  and  barns  in  this  neighborhood. 

H.  LUNIFBONS.  — Very  common.  It  builds  mud  or  clay  nests  under  the 
thatched  barns  and  coimtry-houses  near  Quebec.  They  are  protected  by 
farmers,  who  will  not  allow  them  to  be  disturbed  during  their  stay  here. 
They  return  annually  to  the  old  nests,  which  they  repair. 

H.  BICOLOE.  —  Common.  It  builds  its  nest  in  any  hole  it  may  find  in 
the  houses  in  the  city.  In  the  woodland  districts,  it  generally  selects  an 
abandoned  Wood  >  uker's  nest  in  trees. 

COTYLE  EIPAKIA.  —  Common.   Breeds  in  every  sand-bank  in  the  country. 

PEOGNE  PUEPUEEA.  — The  brcoding-place  of  this  Swallow  is  confined  to 
a  building  called  the  .Tesuit  Barracks,  of  this  city,  where  they  raise  tlieir 
young  every  season.  I  have  repeatedly  tried  to  induce  them  to  occupy 
boxes,  but  the  Whito-belliod  Swallow  alwa/s  took  possession  first.  In  this 
locality,  the  Purple  Martin  loves  its  own  conmiunity,  and  will  not  be  induced 
to  occupy  tho  most  tempting  abode  unless  made  sufficiently  large  to  accom- 
modate seveial  pairs. 

AHPELIS  GABBULUS.  —  During  severe  winters,  this  species  arrives  here 
from  the  north  to  feed  on  the  berries  of  the  mountain-ash,  which  growi 


NOTES. 


871 


its  kindred,  North, 


nest  on  the  beams 


d-bank  in  the  country. 


abundantly  in  the  neigliborhood  of  tlie  city.  Tlioy  ;.;<)  in  flocks.  They 
must  Itreeii  lute  in  tiie  season,  as  I  had  the  young  with  the  downy  ('cMtiier"' 
attiiclicd  to  their  heads  during  the  depth  of  winter. 

AMPELIS  CEDEORUM.— Common.     IJreods. 

COLLTSIO  BOBEALIS.  —  Arrives  early  in  Spring.  I  tliink  they  go  to 
high  latitudes  to  breed.  The  specimens  which  1  procure  are  either  in  gprini' 
or  fall  plumage. 

VIREO  OLIVACEUS.  —  Not  common.     Breeds. 

MIMUS  CAROLINENSIS.— Not  common.     Breeds. 

TROGLODYTES  HYEMALIS.— Common.    Breeds. 

CERTHIA  AMERICANA.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

SITTA  CANADENSIS.  —  Common  in  summer  and  winter.    Breeds. 

PARUS  ATRICAPILLUS.  — Common.     Breeds. 

P.  HDDSONICUS.  —  Arrives  about  the  middle  of  September  from  the 
North,  and  remains  until  the  snow  falls.  It  has  not  been  found  breeding  in 
this  locality.     They  go  in  flocks,  like  the  former  species. 

EREMCPHILA  CORNUTA.  —  This  Lark  arrives  here  in  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember. It  gathers  in  flocks,  which  remain  until  the  snow  falls.  It  breeds 
in  Labrador. 

PINICOLA  CANADENSIS.  — Arrives  from  the  North,  sometimes  in  com 
pany  with  the  Bohemian  Waxwing,  and  feeds  on  the  same  berries.  They 
frequently  remain  during  winter. 

CARPODACDS  PORPUREUS.  — Common.    Breeds. 

CHRTSOMITRIS  TRISTIS.  — Common.    Breeds. 

C.  PINUS.  —  Sometimes  common  in  winter. 

CURVIROSTRA  AMERICANA.  —  Sometimes  very  abundant  in  winter.  I 
am  told  it  breeds  in  Nova  Scotia. 

C.  LEUCOPTERA.  —  Very  numerous  during  winter.    Breeds  in  Labrador. 

^QIOTHUS  LINARIA.  —  Common  in  the  fall.  Breeds  in  Labrador  and 
Northern  Newfoundland. 

PLECTROPHANES  NIVALIS.  —  Common  in  winter.    Breeds  in  Labrador. 

POOCaiTES  GEAMINEUS.  —  Common.     Breeds. 

ZONOTRICHIA  LEUCOPHBTS.— Common.    Breeds. 

Z.  ALBICOLLIS.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

JDNCO  HYEMALIS.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

SPirELLA  MONTICOLA.  —  This  species  goes  far  north  to  br*ed,  probably 
Labra<lor.     It  returns  in  the  fall. 


872 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


■■■■•■.It 


''".I 


S.  SOCIALIS.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

MELOSPIZA  MELODIA.— Common.     Breeils. 

M.  PALUSTEIS.  —  Not  common  liere ;  but  it  breeds  in  some  of  the  soutli- 
em  towns  of  Lower  Cimada. 

PASSEEELLA  ILIACA.  —  Not  common.  Breeds.  I  tbink  tliat  tliis  species 
is  more  abundant  in  Labrador  durinf<  summer, 

6DISACA  LUDOVICIANA.  —  Not  common.  Breeds.  Quebec  may  be  con- 
sidered its  northern  limit. 

CTANOSPIZA  CYANEA.  —  Not  common.     Breeds. 

DOLICHONYX  OEYZIVOEUS.  —  Common.  Breeds.  This  is  the  most 
northern  limit  of  this  species. 

AGELAinS  PH(ENICEUS. — This  species  is  a  very  rare  visitor  in  this 
neighboriiood,  and  is  seen  only  in  the  spring,  wlien  on  its  passage  to  the 
swamps  in  the  West.    It  breeds  abundantly  at  Toronto,  Upper  Canada. 

SCOLECOPHAODS  FEEBUGINEUS.  —  "Very  common  in  the  fall,  at  which 
season  they  visit  this  locality  on  their  passage  south.  Great  numbers  are 
shot,  and  sold  like  game  in  our  markets.  Tiiis  species  has  been  noticed  here 
as  late  as  the  24th  of  May,  when  it  disappears.  It  has  not  been  found  breed- 
ing witliin  the  habitable  portions  of  this  province. 

ftUISCALDS  VEESICOLOE.  —  Rare  in  this  district.  A  few  pairs  have 
been  discovered  breeding  at  Three  Rivers,  between  this  city  and  Montreal. 

COEVUS  AMEEICANUS.  —  Common.  Breeds  in  large  numbers.  A  few 
generally  remain  here  during  winter.  They  feed  on  the  berries  of  the 
mountain  ash.  The  old  nests  are  invariably  occupied,  and  the  birds  lay 
their  eggs  very  early.  I  have  seen  the  young  ones  fully  fledged  before  the 
24th  of  May. 

COEVUS  CAENIVOEUS.  —  Occasionally  seen  in  this  district.  It  breeds  on 
the  high,  rocky  portions  of  islands  in  the  lower  St.  Lawrence. 

CYANUEA  CBISTATA.  —  Abundant  in  the  mountains  north  of  this  city, 
where  they  breed. 

PEBISOBEUS  CANADENSIS.  —  Sometimes  very  common  in  the  fall.  I 
have  not  noticed  tiiis  bird  in  the  vicinity  of  Quebec  during  summer;  but, 
while  on  a  coilecting  trip  down  the  St.  Lawrence,  in  the  month  of  July,  I 
saw  numbers  of  the  old  and  young  in  the  woods,  at  a  i)lace  called  Mille 
Vaches.  They  were  following  each  other  in  one  direction,  and  appeared  to 
me  to  have  habits  similar  to  those  of  the  Black-cap  Titmouse.  Fi  n  this 
fact  of  its  occurrence  on  the  north  shore  of  the  St.  Lawrence  at  tlie  above 
season,  it  is  evident  that  they  breed  in  our  wild,  unfrequented  forests,  such 
Hs  may  l)e  found  north  and  cast  of  the  river  Saguenay.  I  have  offered  n 
liigh  price  for  the  nests  and  eggs  of  the  Canada  Jay;  but,  as  yet,  nothing  of 
the  kind  has  appeared. 


le  of  the  goutb 
that  this  species 
bee  may  be  con- 

'his  is  the  most 

re  visitor  in  tliis 
ts  passage  to  tlie 
Upper  Caiiaila. 

the  fali,  at  which 
Ireat  numbers  are 
,  been  noticetl  liere 
;  been  found  breed- 

k  few  pairs  have 

[ity  and  Montreal. 

,  numbers.    A  few 

tlic  berries  of  tlie 

and  the  birds  lay 

fledged  before  tlie 

Istrict.    It  breeds  on 
;cnce. 
north  of  this  city, 

Inion  in  the  fall.    1 
luring  summer ;  but, 
[the  month  of  July,  I 
L  place  called  MiUe 
Ion,  and  appeared  to 
(itmoU5.e.    Fi     ithis 
Ivrcuce  at  the  above 
Iquented  forests,  such 
lay.    I  bave  offered  n 
It,  as  yet,  nothing  of 


^^^ 


Wild  Piokon,  Kc.topistes  miyratoria.     Iswaiusoa. 


(  I  ; 


»"i:! 


'*tt. 


THE  WILD  PIGEON. 


873 


SUB-ORDER  COLUMB^. 


The  basal  portion  of  the  bill  covered  by  a  soft  slcin,  in  wliich  arc  aitunird  tlie 
nostrils,  overliung  by  an  incumbent  fleshy  valve,  the  apical  portion  hard  and  ion- 
vex;  the  hind  toe  on  the  same  level  with  the  rest;  t.ie  anterior  toe  without  mem- 
brane at  the  base;  tarsi  more  or  less  naked;  covered  laterally  and  behind  with 
hexagonal  scales. 

Family  COLUMBIDiE.    The  Doves. 

Bill  homy  at  the  tip;  tail  feathers  twelve,  only  occasionally  fourteen;  beau 
smooth. 

Sub-Family  Columbine. 

Tarsi  stout,  short,  with  transverse  scutellis  anteriorly;  feathered  for  the  basal 
third  above,  but  not  at  all  behind;  toes  lengthened,  the  lateral  decidedly  longer  tlian 
the  tarsus;  wings  lengthened  and  pointed;  size  large;  tail  feathers  twelve. 

This  section  of  doves  embraces  the  largest  North-American  species,  and  among 
them  the  more  arboreal  ones. 

ECTOPISTES,  SwAiNsos. 

Ectopistet,  SwAijjsoN,  Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (1827)  362.  (Type  Culmiba  migraloria,  L.) 

Head  very  small;  bill  short,  black;  culnien  one-third  the  rest  of  the  head;  tarsi 

very  short,  half  covered  anteriorly  bj'  feathers;  inner  lateral  claw  much  larger  than 

outer,  reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  one;   tail  very  long  and  excessively 

cuneate;  about  as  long  as  the  wings;  lirst  primary  longest. 

This  genus  is  readily  distinguished  from  the  other  Coliimbime  by  the  excefsively 
lengthened  and  acute  middle  feathers.  It  formerly  included  the  Columba  Caroli- 
nenm ;  but  this,  with  more  propriety,  has  been  erected  into  a  different  genus,  and 
will  be  found  in  the  next  section. 


ECTOPISTES  MI6BAT0RIA.  — SwaiRjon. 

Tbs  Wild  Pigeon;  Passenger  Pigeon. 

Coluniba  tnigratoria,  Linnteus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  285.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,  I 
(1808)  102.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  319;  V.  661. 

Ecloputei  migratoria,  Swainson.    Zool.  Jour.,  III.  (1827)  356. 

Description. 
Tail  with  twelve  feathers ;  upper  parts  generally,  including  sides  of  body,  head, 
and  neck,  and  the  chiu,  blue,  beneath,  purple  brownish-red,  fading  behind  with  a 


374 


OHNITUOLOGV   AND   OOLOGY. 


rrc: 


violet  tint;  anal  region  and  under  tail  coverts,  bluish-white;  8ca,  ulars,  inner  (enials, 
and  middle  of  back,  with  an  olive-brown  tinge;  tlie  wing  covert.s,  scapulars,  and  inner 
tertials,  with  larjie  oval  spota  of  blue-black  on  the  outer  webs,  mostly  concealed,  except 
on  the  latter;  primaries  blackish,  with  a  border  of  pale-bluish  tinged  internally  with 
red;  middle  tail  feathers  brown;  the  rest  pale-blue  on  the  outer  web,  white  inter- 
nally ;  each  with  a  patch  of  reddish-brown  at  the  base  of  the  inner  web,  followed  by 
another  of  black ;  sides  and  back  of  neck  richly  glossed  with  metallic  gulden-violet , 
tibia  bluish-violet;  bill  black;  feet  yellow. 

The  female  is  smaller;  much  duller  in  color;  more  olivaceous  above;  beneath, 
pale-blue  instead  of  red,  except  a  tinge  on  the  neck;  the  jugulum  tinged  with 
olive;  the  throat  whitish. 

The  blue  of  the  side  of  the  head  extends  to  the  throat  and  chin;  the  upper  part 
of  the  back  and  k'sser  coverts  are  of  a  darker  blue  than  the  head  and  rump;  the 
inner  primaries  are  more  broadly  margined  with  light-blue,  which  tapers  off  to 
the  end;  the  axillars  and  under  surface  of  the  wing  are  light-blue;  the  longest 
scapulars  have  the  black  on  both  webs;  there  is  no  blue  on  the  outer  web  of  the  first 
tail  feather,  which  is  white,  and  the  inferior  surface  of  the  tail  generally  is  white. 

In  some  specimens  the  entire  bead  all  round  is  blue. 

The  immature  male  varies  in  having  most  of  the  feathers  of  the  head  and  body 
margined  with  whitish. 

Length  of  male,  seventeen  inches;  wing,  eight  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches; 
tail,  eight  and  forty  one-hundredths  inches. 


THIS  bird  has  become  of  late  years  rather  scarce  in 
New  England ;  so  much  so,  that,  in  localiti  i  where  it 
was  formerly  abundant,  it  is  now  seen  only  occasionally  in 
small  flocks  of  a  dozen  or  fifteen.  It  is  a  resident  of  these 
States  through  a  greater  part  of  the  year;  only  absenting 
itself  in  the  most  severe  portion  of  winter,  when  its  food  is 
usually  covered  with  snow.  It  depends  principally  upon 
acorns  and  beechnuts  for  subsistence,  and  is  most  abundant 
in  localities  where  these  nuts  are  found.  It  also  frequents 
grain-fields,  where  it  gleans  among  the  stubble  and  weeds ; 
and,  when  berries  are  in  season,  it  feeds  plentifully  upon 
them,  and  it  is  at  that  time  when  the  greater  number  are 
seen  in  New  England. 

Early  in  May,  the  birds,  although  associating  still  in  com- 
munities, as  in  sections  where  they  are  more  abundant, 
separate  into  pairs,  and  build  their  nest.  This  is  placed  in 
a  forked  branch  of  a  tree,  usually  in  a  swamp  or  thick 
wood.  It  is  constructed  of  twigs  and  leaves,  which  are 
loosely  arranged  into  a  frail  structure  hardly  strong  enough 


THE   CAROLINA    DOVE. 


STfj 


to  support  the  parent  bird:  it  is  but  very  little  hollowed, 
and  has  no  lining  of  softer  material.  The  leiualc  deposits 
in  this  one  or  two  eggs,  on  wliicli  both  birds  incubate. 
These  eggs  are  pure-white  in  color,  nearly  oval  in  form,  and 
have  the  slightest  roseate  tint  before  tlieir  contents  are 
removed:  they  average  in  dimensions  about  1.54  by  l.lU 
inch.  Many  writers  affirm  that  but  one  egg  is  laid  at 
a  time.  I  think  that  in  the  greater  number  of  nests  two 
are  deposited,  as  I  have  inquired  of  many  hunters  and 
woodsmen,  and  they  all  agree  on  that  number. 


Sub-Family  ZGNAiDiNiG. 

Tarsi  stout,  lengthened;  alwas's  longer  than  the  lateral  toes,  and  entirely  with- 
out feath>!rs;  the  tibial  joint  usually  denuded;  tarsus  sometimes  with  hexagonal 
scales  anteriorly;  tail  feathers  sometimes  fourteen. 


ZENAIDURA,  Bonapakte. 

Zenaidura,  Bonaparte,  Consp.  Avium,  II.  (1854)  84.  (Type  Culumba  CarvU- 
nensis,  L.)    Probably  named  previously  in  Comptes  Hendus. 

Bill  weal?,  black;  culmen  from  frontal  feathers,  about  one-third  the  head  above; 
tarsus  not  quite  as  long  as  middle  too  and  claw,  but  considerably'  longer  than  the 
lateral  ones ;  covered  anteriorly  by  a  single  scries  of  scutelhe ;  inner  lateral  claw 
considerably  longer  than  outer,  and  reaching  to  the  base  of  middle;  wings  pointed, 
second  quill  longest,  first  and  third  nearly  eipial;  tail  very  long,  equal  to  the  wings; 
excessively  graduated  and  cuneatc,  of  fourteen  feathers. 

The  foiu-teen  tail  feathers  render  this  genus  very  conspicuous  among  tlic  Xorth- 
American  doves.  It  was  formerly  placed  with  the  Passenger  Pigeon  in  Eclopistes, 
but  has  nothing  in  common  with  it  but  the  lengthened  tail,  as  it  belongs  to  a  ditfer- 
ent  sub-family. 

ZENAIDUBA    CAEOLINENSIS.  —  ^(>nn/;a;'<e. 

The  Carolina  Dove ;  Turtle  Dove. 

Culumba  Carolinensls,  Linnieus.  Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1766),  286,  No.  37.  Wils.  Am. 
Orn.,  V.  (1812)  91.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  91;  V.  (1839)  £55.  Nutt.  Man.,  I. 
(1832)626. 

Zenaidura  Carolinensis,  Bonaparte.    Consp.  Av.,  II.  (1854)  84. 

Description. 
Tail  feathers  fourteen;  above  bluish,  although  this  is  ovorlaid  with  light  brown- 
isl)  olive,  having  the  blue  pure  only  ou  the  top  of  the  head,  the  exterior  of  th« 


jf?iifiTin*r 


376 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


.-J 


wings,  ana  upper  surfuce  of  tlio  tail,  which  is  even  slightly  tinged  with  this  color; 
the  entire  hend,  except  the  vertex,  the  Eides  of  the  neck,  and  the  under  parts  general- 
ly, lif-'ht  brownish-red,  strongly  tinged  with  purple  on  the  breast,  becoming  lighter 
behind,  and  passing  into  brownish-yelluw  on  tlie  anal  region,  tibiu,  and  under  tail 
roverts;  sides  of  the  neck  with  a  patch  of  metallic  purplish-red i  sides  of  body  and 
inside  of  wings  clear  light-blue;  wing  coverts  and  scapulars  spotted  with  black, 
mostly  concealed,  and  an  oblong  patch  of  the  same  below  the  ear;  tail  feathers  seen 
fr<im  beluw  blackish,  the  outer  web  of  outermost  white,  the  others  tipped  with  the 
same,  the  color  becoming  more  and  more  bluish  to  the  innermost,  which  is  brown, 
seen  from  above,  there  is  the  same  graduation  Irom  white  to  light-blue  in  the  tips; 
Uie  ijst  of  the  feather,  hiiwcver,  is  blue,  with  a  bar  of  bl'^ck  anterior  to  the  light  tip, 
which  rui)^  a  little  forward  along  the  margin  and  shaft  of  the  feather;  in  the  sixth 
feather  the  color  is  uniform  bluish,  with  this  bar;  the  seventh  is  without  bar;  bill 
black ;  feet  yellow.    Female  smaller,  and  with  less  red  beneath. 

Length  of  male,  twelve  and  eighty-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  five  and 
seventy-live  one-hundredths;  tail,  six  and  seventy  one-hundredths  inches. 

Tins  beautiful  and  well-kiiowu  species  is  distributed 
throughout  New  England  as  a  summer  resident.  It  is 
more  rarely  seen  in  the  more  northern  sections  than  in  the 
southern;  but  it  breeds  in  all  these  States.  It  arrives 
from  the  South  early  in  spring,  sometimes  by  the  10th  of 
March.  On  its  first  appearance,  it  is  found  in  small,  loose 
flocks  of  five  or  six  individuals,  which  frequent  old  stubble- 
fields  and  orchards,  where  they  feed  on  scattered  grains  and 
the  seeds  of  various  weeds.  They  also  sometimes  associate 
with  domestic  doves  iu  the  poultiy  yard,  as  I  have  witnessed 
on  several  occasions. 

About  the  middle  of  Ivlay,  they  separate  into  pairs,  and 
commence  their  duties  of  incubation.  Tiie  nest  is  placed  in 
a  forked,  horizontal  branch  of  a  tree,  sometimes  in  the 
orchard,  usually  in  a  grove  of  pines  or  in  a  swamp.  It  is, 
like  the  nost  of  the  Wild  Pigeon,  a  lot  ,e,  frail  structure,  in 
which  the  female  depo&its  two  eggs,  which  are  pure-white 
iu  color,  and  usually  nearly  oval  in  form. 

A  great  number  of  specimens  in  my  collection,  from  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country,  vary  from  1.20  by  .85  to  .98  by 
.82  inch.  The  size  most  often  found  is  about  1.12  by  .80 
inch.     Two  broods  are  reared  in  the  season. 

About  the  last  of  July,  the  old  birds  and  young  collect  in 
flocks,  and  frequent  grain-fields,  where  they  feed  upon  the 


THE  CAROLINA   DOVE. 


o^ 


1 


grain,  and  berry-patches,  whoro  they  oat  plentifully  oi 
berries:  they  are  now  fat,  and  very  delicate  eating ;  and,  ua 
tliey  are  much  pursued  by  guiuiers,  they  soon  become  very 
shy,  and  difficult  of  approach. 

During  the  mating  season,  and  part  of  the  period  of  incu 
batiun,  the  male  has  a  soft,  melancholy  cooing  note,  which 
lie  utters  often  through  the  day.  During  the  remainder  of 
the  year,  he  seems  to  have  no  note  ;  for  I  have  watched  indi- 
viduals for  hours  to  ascertain,  and  never  heard  them  emit 
any  thing  but  tiie  short  chuckle  peculiar  to  all  doves. 

By  the  first  week  in  October,  this  species  leaves  New 
England  on  its  southern  migratiou. 


878 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


SUB-OllDEll  GALLIN^E. 


Bill  usually  rather  Hhort  and  atout,  and  Iivsa  than  the  head;  basal  portion  hard, 
generally  covurud  with  fuathcrs,  and  not  by  a  soil  naked  skin;  legs  Icn^thoncd; 
the  hind  too  generally  elevated  al)ovf  the  level  of  the  rest,  and  Kliorl;  when  lower 
down,  it  Ih  longer;  toen  connected  at  the  batte  by  a  membrane;  tlio  reather.t  of  tore- 
head  not  extending  on  the  culmen  in  a  point,  but  more  restricted,  and  parted  by  the 
backward  exteuuiou  uf  the  culmen. 


Family  TETllAONlDiK.     Tm;  Guouse. 


•"»#! 


The  Tetvnoiiiila  are  pre-eminently  characterized  among  gallinaceous  birds  by 
their  densely  feathered  tarsi,  and  by  the  feathers  of  the  uusal  Ibssa  or  groove,  whiili 
fdl  it  completely,  and  conceal  tiie  nostrils;  the  toes  are  usual l}- luiked  (leathered 
to  tlie  claws  in  the  ptarniigai^),  and  with  pectinati'ins  of  scales  along  the  edges; 
the  tail  feathers  vary  from  si  ctcen  to  eighfeen  and  even  twenty  in  number;  the 
tail  is  rounded,  (icute  or  forkad;  tlie  orbital  region  is  generally  somewhat  bare, 
with  a  naked  stripe  ubovu  the  upper  eyelid,  beset  by  short  fringe-like  processes. 


TETUAO,  Li.N.N.KUs. 

Tetrao,  UnuMva,  Syst.  Nat.  (1744)  Gray.    (Type  T.  urogatlus,  L.) 
Tail  lengthened,  slightly  narrowed  to  the  srjuare  or  somewhat  rounded  tip;  about 
two-thirds  the  wing;   the  feathers  with   stilleiied   shafts;   tarsus  feathered  to  and 
between  the  bases  of  the  toes;  no  unusual  feathers  on  the  side  of  throat;  culmen 
between  the  nasal  fossiu  nearly  half  the  total  length;  color  mostly  black. 
Inhabit  wooded  regions. 


TETBAO  CANADENSIS.  — Li»n(£us. 

The  Canada  Grouse  ;  Spruce  Partridge. 

Tetrao  Cnnadentis,  Linnajus.    Syst.  Nat.,  1.  (1766)  274. 
887.    Aud.  Cm.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  437;  V.  (1839)  563. 


Nutt.,  Man.  I.  (1832) 


Desckii'tion. 

Tail  of  sixteen  feathers;  feathers  above  distinctly  banded  with  plumbeous; 
beneath  uniform  black,  with  a  pectoral  band  of  white,  and  white  on  the  sides  of  tie 
belly;  chin  and  throat  above  black;  tail  with  a  broad  brownish-orange  terminal 
band. 

Prevailing  color  in  the  male  black;  each  feather  of  the  head,  neck,  and  upper 
pirlH  generally,  having  its  surface  waved  with  plumbeous-gray;  this  is  in  the 
form  of  two  or  three  welldelined  concentric  bars,  parallel  to  each  other,  one  aloiij,' 
the  e.\terior  edge  of  the  feather,  the  others  behind  it;  the  sides  of  the  body,  tho 


.;  banal  portion  liar<l, 
tiu;  Ifgs  lei'Hthoiiid; 
i„l  fliorf,  wlieii  low.r 
.;  tho  I'enlliers  of  tore- 
ted,  and  verted  by  the 


luOUSE. 

f  (gallinaceous  birds  by 
1  lossa  or  nr""^'"'  ^''''''' 
„ually  ""^"''i  (leathered 
,calc3  ulonK  the  ed(;o«  ; 
twenty  in  number;  the 
,ncrally  somewhut  ban, 
•inge-like  processes. 


•what  rounded  tip;  about 
[tarsus  feathered  to  and 
side  of  throat;  culmeu 
[mostly  black. 


Nutt.,  Man.  I.  (1832) 


aanded  with  plumbeous; 
,  white  on  the  sides  ot  tie 
Ibrownish-orange  terminal 

Iho  head,  neck,  and  iipp«r 
lous-gray;  this  is  in  the 
I  to  each  other,  one  aloiin 
Le  sides  of  the  body,  the 


(  1 


THE  CANADA   GROLTSK. 


379 


iK-apulan,  and  outer  aiirface  of  the  wiii|{«  are  motilud  like  the  back,  but  lunra  irrrgn. 
Itrly,  ami  with  n  hrowiu-r  uliado  of  Kfuy,  the  tunthcni  with  a  ciMitral  white  •irpiik 
i>x|ian(lin(;  towurdi*  the  ti|i  ("ii  (liv  wiii({  thcne  utri'iiliii  iiecii  only  on  toiiu^  ul  thii 
^iLOter  ooVJ'rtu);  tliore  in  iid  wliitu  ahovc,  cxii|)l  u.t  domTihiMli  thu  uikKt  |iiirln 
tro  mostly  uiiit'orm  black,  thu  I'l'iilhcrK  of  lliti  lidt'it  of  Iho  hi^lly  and  brcunt  broadly 
tipped  with  white,  »hich  soini'iiiiiui*  funna  a  peitoral  bund;  tlirru  Ir  a  while  bur 
ni  roHK  thu  fuatluTK,  at  thu  buiiu  of  thu  upper  iiiaiidililr,  umiully  iiiti-rriipted  uhovu) 
u  while  vpot  on  llie  lnwer  eytdid,  ami  a  whitu  liiii<  bc^^innin^'  mi  the  ilu'cks,  and 
riiiiiiiiiK  into  a  aeiirn  of  whitii  upotA  in  tlie  ffatlivrn  of  the  throat;  thu  lowir  Ivatlirra 
i.f  tlii^  art!  bamlud  It'iiiiimilly  witli  whitisli;  ih«  fcalhcrit  at  the  basu  of  thu  bill, 
imd  the  head,  bulow  thu  vyvf,  and  bunuatli,  arc  puro-black;  thi)  (iiiilh  uru  dark- 
liMwn,  without  any  8polB  or  band*,  the  outer  cil^e*  only  uiotllud  with  ^'layi^ii;  the 
liiil  leathers  are  ainiilar,  but  darker,  and  the  tail  U  lippeil  wilh  u  band  of  nraiiKe- 
rhi'fliiut,  nearly  half  an  imh  wi<li',  ob-cured  on  the  ceiilrHl  lealhem,  the  under 
tail  covertu  are  black,  broadly  barred  and  tipped  with  wliilu;  the  feathers  of  the  \vgn 
iniiltled-brown  and  whitiHh;  dirly-»liilu  behiml  the  tarsi;  the  bill  in  blaek. 

The  feniulu  is  smaller  but  nouiewhat  similar,  the  blaek  bars  above  broader,  the 
anier  gray  bars  of  each  feather,  ineludin(;  the  tail,  replaced  by  broader  ones  of 
liriiwiiisli-oranKi';  thu  under  parta  have  the  feathers  black,  burred  with  tlie  brownish- 
(ininge,  which,  on  the  tips  of  the  belly  feathers,  is  pure-white;  thu  clear  continuous 
black  of  thu  head  and  breast  are  wantini;;  the  scapulars,  greater  coverts,  and  sides, 
arc  streaked  as  in  the  nialu. 

F.englh,  sixteen  and  twenty  one-hunircdths  inches;  wing,  six  and  seventy  ona- 
liimdredths ;  tail,  live  and  forty-four  hundredths  inches. 


IT  is  only  in  the  most  retired  and  unsettled  localities  in 
northern  Now  England  that  this  very  beautiful  grouse  is 
found.  There,  in  the  spruce  and  pine  woods  and  Bwainps, 
it  is  not  uncommon  as  a  resident  through  the  year.  I  have 
.shot  specimens  in  the  White  Mountains,  between  what  is 
called  Waterville,  a  hamlet  in  Thornton,  N.H.,  and  Bethle- 
hem, in  the  same  State ;  but  they  are  more  commonly  found 
ill  tlie  localities  above  mentioned.  In  its  native  haunts,  it 
is  very  unsuspicious,  permitting  a  person  to  walk  within  a 
few  feet  of  it  without  stirring ;  and,  when  it  does  take  flight, 
it  goes  but  a  few  rods,  when  it  alights  on  a  tree,  and  turns 
to  watch  the  intruder. 

It  is  a  very  graceful  bird  on  the  ground,  moving  with  a 
stately  step  over  the  long  elastic  moss  so  abundant  in  the 
woods  of  Maine. 

It  feeds  upon  the  buds  of  the  evergreens,  and  their  seeds 
and  foliage.  This  food  imparts  to  the  flesh  of  the  bird  a 
disagi'ccable  resinous  flavor,  particularly  in  fall  and  winter, 


380 


OIINITUOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY,, 


•      ♦■  ml 

Vit'.2 


"  A 


when  it  can  get  no  other  food.  In  fact,  at  all  seasons,  i\  la 
far  infei'ior  to  aJl  our  other  game  birds  in  flesh,  and  is  never 
delicate  nor  palatable. 

About  the  middle  of  Ma^ ,  the  female  scratches  together 
a  loose  nest,  beneath  the  branches  of  a  creeping  fir,  and 
lays  in  it  from  eight  to  twelve  eggs.  Tliese  are  of  a  beau- 
tiful yellowish-buff  color,  witli  spots  and  blotches  of  two 
shades  of  brown:  one  a  purplish-brown  ;  the  other,  a  burnt- 
sienna.  They  average  in  dimensions  about  1.G8  by  1.2G 
inch :  tiieir  form  is  generally  ovoidal ;  sometimes  nearly 
oval,  and  occasionally  more  rounded,  it  is  said,  that, 
"  when  incubation  begins,  the  males  go  apart  by  themselves 
to  ditferont  portions  of  the  forest,  and  remain  until  late  in 
autumn,  when  they  rejoin  the  females  and  young," 

This  species  flourishes  well  in  confinement:  it  tames 
readily,  and  soon  eats  all  kinds  of  grains  and  seeds,  and 
pieces  of  potatoes  and  fruits.  It  requires  a  large  cage  or 
coop,  and  is  contented  if  it  has,  now  and  then,  a  sin'uce  or 
cftdar-tree  given  it  to  roost  and  climb  upon. 

CUPIDOXIA,  Reichknbacii. 

Cupidunia,  Reiciienbacu,  Av.  Syst.  Nat.  (1850).    (Type  Tetrno  CvpUIo,  L.) 
Tail  short,  half  the  lengthened  wings ;  the  feathers  stitlencd  and  more  or  less 
graduated;  bare  space  of  the  neck  concealed  by  a  tufl:  of  lanceolate  fcatliers;  tarsi 
feathered  only  to  near  the  base,  the  lower  joint  scutellate;  culinen  between  the  nasal 
foeso!  scarcely  one-third  the  total  length. 


CDPIDOKIA    CUPIDO.  — £mVrf. 

The  Pinnated  Grouse;  Prairie  Hen;  Prairie  Chicken. 

Tetrao  Ciipido,  Liunajus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  274.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,  III.  (1811) 

104.     Nutt.  Man.,  I.  662.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  II.  (1834)  490;  V.  (1830)  550. 

Cupidonia  Americwia,  Huichenbach.    Av.  Syst.  Nat.  (1850). 

I 

DE8CRIPT10N. 

Tail  of  eighteen  feathers,  varied  with  whitish-brown  and  brownish-yellow;  almout 
everywhere  with  well-defined  transverse  bars  of  brown  on  the  featliers. 

Body  stout,  compact;  a  tuft  of  long,  pointed  lauceulule  feathers  on  each  side  of 
the  neck,  covering  a  bare  space  capable  of  much  inHntion ;  tail  short,  truncate,  much 
graduated,  composed  of  eighteen  feathers,  the  lateral  feathers  about  two-thirds  the 


11  seasons,  1^  la 
ssh,  and  is  never 

ratches  together 
'i-eepiug  fir,  and 
3  are  of  ti  ^«*^i- 
blotclios  of-  two 
10  other,  a  burnt- 
aut  1.08  hy  1.26 
onictimes  nearly 
it   is   said,  that, 
art  by  themselves 
:iain  until  late  in 
young." 

lement:  it  tames 
IS  and  seeds,  and 
s  a  large  cage  or 
I  then,  a  spruce  or 
pon. 


ype  Tetrno  Cupido,  L.) 
itiBeiicd  and  more  or  less 
f  lanceolate  feathers;  tarsi 
culinen  between  the  nasal 


rie  Chicken. 

Wils.  Am.  Om.,III.  (18U) 

[)0;  V.  (1830)659. 
(18B0).  ^ 

,nd brownish-yellow;  almost 
on  the  featliers. 
Ue  feathers  on  each  side  of 
n;  tail  short,  truncate,  much 
athers  about  two-thirds  the 


THE    PINNATED   GROUSE. 


381 


miJJl!;  the  ftatliers  stiffened,  nearly  linear  and  truncate;  the  tail  is  scMcely  longer 
than  the  coverts,  and  half  the  length  of  the  wing;  tarsi  covered  with  feathers  anteriorly 
and  laterally  to  the  toes,  but  bare,  with  h^xagonul  scutelUe  behind;  the  middle  toe 
and  claw  'onger  than  the  tarsus;  the  toes  margined  by  pectinated  procesics;  a  space 
Elii've  the  eye  provided  with  a  dense  pectinated  process  in  the  breeding  season, 
sometimes  separated  from  the  eye  In'  a  siipnrciliary  space  covered  with  feathers. 

Length,  sixteen  and  tifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  eight  and  eighty  one- 
liundredths;  tail,  four  and  Deventy  one-hundredths  inches. 


Although  once  very  abundant  in  many  localities,  the  Pin- 
nated Grouse  is  now  about  e.xteriiiinated  from  the  country 
east  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

It  was  once  found  in  considerable  numbers,  I  am  i'l- 
formed,  in  some  portions  of  New  England,  but  does  rot 
occur  now  in  this  section  except  on  Martha's  Vineya  'd, 
where  it  is  still  left  in  small  numbers.  It  was  also  found 
on  Long  Island,  but  not  a  single  bird  is  now  left  there.  I 
think  that  none  are  now  found  in  Ohio,  and  but  few,  com- 
paratively, in  Indiana  and  Michigan,  but  in  Illinois,  Iowa, 
Kansas,  Nebraska,  Minnesota,  Missouri,  and  Wisconsin  it  is 
still  very  abundant.  "  Prairie  Chicken  "  shooting  is  one  of 
the  finest  of  all  the  field  sports  of  the  West. 

Early  in  the  fall  the  birds  are  found  in  large  bevies  in 
wheat  and  oat  stubbles  and  in  the  open  pastures  and  prai- 
ries. In  such  localities,  before  the  Grouse  have  become  wild, 
the  sportsman  makes  large  "  bags,"  an  ordinary  shot  being 
able  to  bring  in,  as  the  result  of  a  day's  shooting,  from  ten 
to  twenty  brace. 

But  later  in  the  season,  when  the  Grouse  are  wild  and 
strong  on  the  wing,  the  sportsman  must  be  quick  and  sure 
in  his  aim  to  be  able  to  make  much  of  a  showing. 

The  Grouse  late  in  the  fall  are  mostlv  found  in  the  corn- 
fields,  and  as  the  Western  cornstalks  grow  to  a  height  of 
eight  or  ten  feet,  and  close  together  at  that,  it  is  easily  seen 
how  good  a  chance  the  birds  have  for  getting  away.  One 
of  the  peculiarities  of  the  Pinnated  Grouse  is  thus  described 
bv  Wilson : 


382 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOOY. 


lili 


-m 


i^ 


"  During  tlie  period  of  mating,  and  while  tlie  females 
are  occupied  in  ininibation,  the  males  have  a  practice  of 
assemblnig  princii)ally  by  themselves.  To  some  select  and 
central  spot,  where  tliere  is  very  little  miderwootl,  they  re- 
pair froni  i;he  adjoining  district.  From  the  exercise  })er- 
formed  there,  this  is  called  a  scratching-place.  The  time 
of  meeting  U  the  break  of  day.  As  soon  as  the  light  ap- 
pears the  company  assembles  from  every  side,  sometimes 
to  the  number  of  forty  or  fifty.  When  the  dawn  is  past, 
the  ceremony  begins  by  a  lov  tooting '  from  one  of  the 
cocks.  This  is  answered  by  another.  They  then  come 
forth  one  by  one  from  the  bushes,  and  strut  about  with  all 
the  pride  and  ostentation  they  can  display.  Their  necks 
are  incurvated,  the  feathers  on  them  are  erected  into  a  sort 
of  ruff ;  the  plumes  of  their  tails  are  expanded  like  fans ; 
they  strut  about  in  a  style  resembliTig,  as  nearly  as  small 
may  be  illustrated  by  great,  the  pomp  of  the  turkey-cock. 
They  seem  to  vie  with  each  other  in  stateliness ;  and,  as 
they  pass  each  other,  frequently  cast  looks  of  insult  and 
utter  notes  of  defiance.  These  are  the  signals  for  battle. 
They  engage  with  w'onderfui  spirit  and  ^erceness.  During 
these  contests  they  leap  a  foot  or  two  from  the  ground,  and 
utter  a  cackling,  screaming,  and  discordant  cry.     .     .     . 

*•  But  what  appears  to  me  the  most  remarkable  circum- 
stance relative  to  this  bird  is  that  not  one  of  all  those 
writers  who  have  attempted  its  history  has  taken  the 
least  notice  of  those  two  extraordinary  bags  of  yellow  skin 
which  mark  the  neck  of  the  male,  and  which  constitute  so 
striking  a  peculiarity.  These  appear  to  be  formed  by  an 
expansion  of  the  gullet,  as  well  as  of  the  exterior  skin  of  the 

'  When  the  male  Grouse  utters  this  peculiar  sound  "  the  parts  about 
tbe  throat  are  sensibly  inflated  and  swelled.  It  may  be  heard  on  a  s  ill 
morning  for  three  or  more  miles ;  bome  say  they  have  perceived  it  as 
far  as  five  or  six.  This  noise  is  a  sort  of  ventriloquism.  It  does  tiot 
strike  the  ear  of  a  by-stander  with  much  force,  but  impresses  him  with 
the  idea,  though  produced  within  a  few  rods  of  him,  of  a  voice  a  mile 
or  more  distant." 


THE  PINNATED  GROUSR 


SSP, 


ound  "  tbo  parts  aV)out 
may  lie  heard  on  a  sal 
y  have  perceived  H  as 
iloquism.  It  does  not 
at  impresses  him  with 
him,  of  a  voice  a  mile 


neck,  wliicli,  when  the  Lird  is  at  rest,  liaiigs  in  loose,  pciulu- 
Iniis,  wi'inklod  folds  aloii^  the  side  of  the  neck  ;  the  sujiple- 
iiioutal  wings,  at  tiie  same  time,  as  weii  as  when  the  l)ii'd  is 
thing,  lying  along  the  neck.  Ihit  when  t]ie»e  hags  are  in- 
flated with  air,  in  hreeding  time,  they  are  oqnal  in  size,  and 
very  much  resemble  in  color,  a  middle-sized,  fully  ripe 
orange.  By  means  of  this  curiou-;  ai)j)aratus,  wliich  is  very 
observable  several  hundred  yards  off,  he  is  enabled  to  pro- 
duce the  extraordinary  sound  mentioned  above,  which, 
though  it  may  be  easily  in  -ated,  is  yet  ditll(!ult  to  describe 
l>v  words.  It  consists  of  three  notes  of  the  same  tone,  re- 
sembling those  produced  by  the  Xight-hawks  in  their  rapid 
descent,  each  strongly  accented,  the  last  being  twice  as  long 
as  the  others.  When  several  are  thus  engaged  the  ear  is 
unable  to  distinguish  the  regularity  of  these  triple  notes,  there 
being,  at  such  times,  one  continued  humnnng,  which  is  dis- 
agreeable and  perplexing  from  the  impossibility  of  ascer- 
taining fro,.i  what  distance,  or  even  quarter,  it  proceeds. 
AVhile  uttering  this  the  bird  exhibits  all  the  ostentatious 
gesticulations  of  a  turkey-cock — erecting  and  fluttering  his 
neck  wings,  wheeling  and  passing  before  the  female,  and 
close  before  his  fellows,  as  in  defiance.  Now  and  then  are 
heard  some  rapid,  cackling  notes,  not  unlike  those  of  a  per- 
son tickled  to  excessive  laughter ;  and,  in  short,  one  can 
scarcely  listen  to  them  without  feeling  disposed  to  laugh 
from  sympathy.  These  are  uttered  by  the  males  while  en- 
gaged in  light,  on  which  occasion  they  leap  up  against  each 
other,  exactly  in  the  manner  of  turkeys,  seemingly  with 
more  malice  than  effect.  This  bumming  continues  from  a 
little  before  daybreak  to  eight  or  nine  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, when  the  parties  separate  to  seek  for  food." 

The  Pinnated  Grouse  will  in  a  verv  few  rears  become  ex- 
terminated  unless  the  close  season  is  extended  very  consider- 
ably. The  15th  of  October,  or  at  the  very  earliest  the 
1st  of  October,  should  b':  the  opening  day  of  the  season, 
and  the  1st  of  January  should  begin  the  close. 


884 


OUNITHOLOnV  AND  OOLOGY. 


^'1; 


From  about  tlio  micMlo  of  April  to  the  lOtli  of  May,  ac- 
cording to  latitude  and  advance  of  the  season,  the  nests  are 
prepared. 

These  are  formed  of  dried  grasses  and  weeds,  and  are 
loosely  made  on  the  ground,  generally  in  a  patch  of  weed-?, 
or  a  thick  tussock  of  grass,  <»r  bunch  of  bushes  Sometimes 
they  are  made  in  low  lands  which  arc  occasionally  overflowed 
by  spring  rains  or  freshets  ;  the  eggs  are  then  destroyed,  in 
which  case  another  setting  is  laid,  but  the  chicks  liatched 
from  them  are  of  less  size  and  strength  than  are  tliose 
hatched  in  earlier  broods. 

The  C'ggs  of  the  Pinnated  Gi'ouse  are  generally  ovoidal  in 
form,  and  arc  often  pretty  sharply  tapered  at  their  small 
ends.  They  vary  in  color  from  a  dirty  drab  to  a  grayish 
white,  and  are  covered  more  or  less  thickly  with  fine  spots 
or  dots  of  bi'own  ;  some  specimens  have  none  of  these 
markings,  v,'hile  others  are  abundantly  spotted.  A  large 
number  from  which  I  took  measurements  averaged  about 
1.80  bv  1.2i5  inch  in  dimensions. 


K^.:.h 


BONASA,  Stephens. 

Bmiasn,  STEPnENS,  Sliaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XI.  (1819).  (Type  Tetrno  bonasia,  L.) 
Tail  widening  to  the  end,  its  featliers  very  broad,  as  long  as  the  wings  ;  the 
feathers  soft,  and  eighteen  in  number;  tarsi  naked  in  the  lower  half;  covered  with 
two  rows  of  hexagonal  scales  anteriorly,  as  in  the  OrtygincB;  sides  of  toes  strongly 
pectinated ;  naked  space  on  the  side  of  throat  covered  by  a  tuft  of  broad  soft  feathers ; 
portion  of  culinen  between  the  nasal  fossie  about  one-third  the  total  length ;  top  of 
head  with  a  soft  crest. 


BON  AS  A  VVCBELVO^.  —  Slcphem. 
The  Buffed  Oronse ;  Partridf^e ;  Pheasant. 

Tetrao  umiellus,  Linnfeus.  Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1766)  275.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VI. 
(1812)  48.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  I.  (1831)  211;  V.  560. 

Tetrao  {Bonatia)  umbellus,  Bonaparte.  Sj-n.  (1828),  126.  Nutt.  Man.,  I.  ',1882) 
657. 

Sonata  umbellut,  Stephens.    Shaw,  Gen.  Zool.,  XI.  (1824)  800. 


«r      "*■ 


TFu:  uui'FP.i)  (;r<)u>k. 


rs:> 


OtU  of  May,  ao- 
jn,  the  nests  are 

weeds,  aiul  are 
patch  of  weeds 
[les  Sometimes 
anally  overflowed 
lien  destroyed,  in 
e  chicks  hatched 
1  than  arc  those 

snerally  ovoidal  in 
ed  at'^their  small 
Llrab  to  a  grayish 
{ly  with  fine  spots 
ve  none  of  these 
spotted.     A  large 
nts  averaged  abont 


(Type  Teirno  bonana,  L.) 

,8  long  as  the  wings  ?  the 
he  lower  half;  covered  w.h 
Lce;  sides  of  toes  strongly 
a  tuft  of  broad  soft  feathers.; 
Lthetotanength;topof 


lena. 


I275.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VT. 
I  128.  Nutt.Man.,I.',l93«) 
1(1824)  800. 


nF.sriMrriux. 

Tail  of  clgtitcen  fratlicrf",  roddi-ii-ljrown  or  frr.iy  iilwivc;  tlio  tmck  »itli  1  irdate 
ipfit'*  (if  ligtitcr;  Iji'iiiatli  wliilisli,  transversely  harriil  «itli  diill-lirnwii;  tail  lip|>('d 
witli  gray,  and  with  a  siibterminal  bar  of  black;  broad  fiatluTsi  of  the  riitl'  Mack. 

Tail  lengthened,  neaily  as  long  oa  the  wing  ;  very  broad,  nml  nicjilcralcly 
iDiiiuUd;  the  feathera  very  broad  and  truncate,  the  tip  ?lif,'litly  convex,  eifjlifci'ii  in 
iiiiinher;  upper  lialf  of  tarsus  only  feathered;  bare  behind  and  l)el(jw,  wiili  twu 
inws  of  hexagonal  scutella;  anteriorly;  a  naked  epace  on  tlie  side  of  the  neck,  con- 
cealed by  an  overhanging  tuft  of  broad,  truncate  feathers;  there  are  no  iiectlnated 
processes  above  the  eye,  where  the  skin  instead  is  clothed  willi  short  feathers. 

length,  eighteen  inches;  wing,  seven  and  twenty  one-hundredlln;  tail,  so\en 
Inches. 

This  beautiful  and  well-known  bird,  coininonly,  but  very 
improperly,  called  Partridge,  is  a  general  resident  in  all  t\u\ 
Xow-Eiigland  States  throughout  the  year.  In  tlnj  most 
retired  localities,  and  in  the  near  vicinage  of  towns,  it  is 
found  almost  equally  abtmdant ;  and  its  habits  and  charac- 
teristics arc  the  same  in  all  localities,  except  that  in  thickly 
settled  districts,  in  consequence  of  its  being  more  pursued 
by  sportsmen,  it  is  mnch  wilder  and  more  difficult  of  ap- 
proach than  in  less  settled  neighborhoods.  So  tame  and 
unsuspicious  arc  these  birds  in  the  deep  forests,  that  I  have 
had  considerable  difficulty  at  times  in  flushing  them.  When 
I  have  approached  them,  instead  of  flying  otf,  as  they  should, 
they  stood  watching  me  like  so  many  barn-yard  fowls  ;  and 
when  I  walked  up  to  within  a  few  feet  of  Ihem,  to  get  them 
awing,  —  for  no  true  sportsman  will  ever  kill  a  game  bird 
unless  it  is  flying, — they  only  retreated  slowly  into  a  thicket 
of  nndergrowth,  and  remained  there  until  actually  forced  to 
take  flight. 

About  the  first  of  May,  sometimes  a  little  earlier,  more 
often  later,  the  female  withdraws  from  the  society  of  the 
male,  and  repairs  to  a  retired  spoL  in  the  woods,  where, 
usually  beneath  a  thicket  of  c\crgre;.n,  or  a  bunch  of  brush, 
or  perhaps  a  fallen  log  ^r  rock,  she  scrapes  together  a  few 
leaves  into  a  loose  nest,  and  deposits  from  eight  to  twelve 
="  These  are  usually  of  a  yellowish-white,  sometimes 

u.a-ker  color,  sometimes  nearly  pure-white.     They  are 


3S0 


OKNMTHOLOCY   AND   OOLOOY. 


,  ,  ., 


• '  K'\ 


<^^: 


usually  ovoidiil  iu  form,  somotimos  nearly  rouuded,  and  tlioir 
dimensions  averajro  about  l.<i")  hy  1.20  inclios:  specimens 
arc  oecasionully  found  uiucli  laruer  than  this  size,  and  many 
considorahly  smaller.  In  about  fifty  specimens  !)efore  me, 
eollected  perhaps  in  ten  difiercnt  Stales,  al)Out  five  are  of  a 
ycllowish-bufT  color,  marked  with  numerous  spots  of  brown  ; 
thers  are  more  yellowish,  and  have  more  obscure  spois, 
^\^v}'i  the  greater  number  have  no  markings  at  all. 

i".'  :>m  several  instances  which  have  come  to  my  knowl- 
edge, I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  female  Ruffed  Grouse, 
if  persistently  molested  when  nesting  on  the  ground,  avails 
herself  of  the  abandoned  nest  of  a  crow,  or  the  shelter 
afforded  in  tlie  top  of  some  tall  broken  trunk  of  a  tree, 
in  which  she  deposits  her  eggs.  Two  of  my  collectors  i:i 
Northern  Maine  have  sent  me  eggs  which  they  positively 
declared  were  found  in  a  crow's  nest  in  a  high  pine,  but 
which  are  undoubtedly  of  this  species ;  and  recently  I  have 
heard  of  another  occurrence  from  my  friend  L.  E.  Rick- 
secker,  of  Pennsylvania.  The  only  satisfactory  theory  that 
I  can  advance  to  account  for  these  departures  from  the 
usual  habits  of  the  Grouse  is,  that  the  birds  had  been  much 
disturbed,  their  eggs  or  young  perhaps  destroyed  ;  and  as 
they  are  often  in  the  trees,  and  are  expert  climbers,  they 
laid  their  eggs  in  these  lofty  situations  to  secure  protection 
from  their  niimerous  foes  below. 

During  the  season  of  incubation,  the  males  congregate 
together  and  remain  apart  from  the  females,  until  the  young 
birds  are  nearly  full-grown :  they  then  join  them,  and  remain 
with  them  until  the  ensuing  spring. 

Early  in  spring,  the  male  begins  "  drumming: "  thio  habit 
is  peculiar  to  this  species,  and  is  probably  familiar  to  all 
persons  who  have  passed  much  of  their  time  in  the"woods. 

I  have  heard  this  drumming  as  early  as  February,  and  as 
late  as  September ;  but  usually  it  is  not  heard  much  before 
the  first  of  April.  The  bird  resorts  to  a  fallen  trunk  of  a 
tree  or  log,  and,  while  strutting  like  the  male  Turkey,  beats 


THE    Rt'FFKP   OnofSR. 


:JS7 


nming:"  thL  habit 
ably  familiar  to  all 
time  in  the-woods. 
IS  February,  and  as 
heard  much  before 
a  fallen  trunk  of  a 
male  Turkey,  beats 


Ills  wiiifrs  against  liis  sides  and  the  log  with  coiisidoralilo 
force  This  produces  a  hoUow  drumming  noise,  tliat  iiiiiy 
1)0  heard  to  a  coiisldr!ral)li!  distance:  it  connnences  vory 
slowly,  and,  after  a  fcnv  strolxcs.  gradually  increases  in 
velocity,  and  terminates  with  a  rolling  beat  very  similar  to 
the  roll  of  a  drum. 

I  know  not  by  what  law  of  acoustics,  Imt  this  drumming 
is  peculiar  in  sounding  equally  as  loud  at  a  considerable 
distance  off,  as  withiu  a  few  rods.  I  have  searched  for  the 
bird  when  I  have  heard  the  drumming,  and,  v;  .0  ^'ipposing 
him  to  be  at  a  considerable  distance,  have  flushed  h  i  within 
the  distance  of  fifty  feet,  and  viee  vena. 

The  young  birds,  like  those  of  all  our  GalUncp,  follow 
their  mother  almost  as  soon  as  they  are  hatc'-ed.  I  liave 
often  found  these  broods  in  the  woods,  and  can  coin- 
|)are  them  to  nothing  so  much  as  the  <  cks  of  domestic 
poultry. 

The  female,  when  her  family  is  surprised,  quickly  gives  a 
warning  cluck,  when  the  whole  brood  adroitly  conceal  them- 
selves. I  have  known  a  number  to  disappear,  as  if  by 
magic,  beneath  a  bunch  of  leaves  or  grass  ;  and  it  required 
a  long,  careful  search  to  discover  their  whereabouts. 

I  once  came  suddenly  upon  a  covey  of  these  young  birds, 
when  the  mother,  taken  by  surprise,  uttering  a  harsh  cry, 
flew  at  my  foot,  and  commenced  pecking  it  fiercely  :  the 
young  scrambled  off,  uttering  {oXwi  peets,  when  the  old  bird, 
perhaps  astonished  at  this  departure  from  her  usual  mod- 
esty, suddenly  retreated,  and  concealed  herself.  The  young 
birds  associate  with  the  female  until  scattered  by  sportsmen 
or  by  a  scarcity  of  provender.  They  are  much  more  deli- 
cate as  food,  when  about  two-thirds  grown,  than  the  old 
liirds,  as  they  have  less  of  that  peculiar  bitter  taste,  and 
have  a  rich  flavor,  almost  similar  to  that  of  the  Woodcock. 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  of  various  seeds,  berries, 
grapes,  and  insects.  When  nothing  else  can  be  obtained, 
they  will  eat  the  leaves  of  the  evergreens,  and  buds  of 


^3S3SP****" 


388 


OUN'ITiroi,0(;Y    AND   OOLOOV. 


treos ;  a'ld,  when  all  other  food  is  covered  with  snow,  tip') 
eat  dried  pieces  of  apjdes  that  are  left  hanging  on  the  treoH. 
mosses,  and  leaves  of  the  lanrel.  It  is  after  feeding  on  this 
last  pltiiit  tliat  tlKiir  flesh  hecomcs  dangerous  to  bo  eaten  ; 
and  it  is  always  safe  not  to  eat  these  hirds  in  winter,  if  they 
have  been  killed  for  any  great  lengtli  of  time,  or  if  their 
intestines  and  crofw  have  been  left  in  them. 

One  hal)it  that  this  species  has  is,  I  believe,  peculiar  to 
it ;  and  that  is  its  manner  of  diving  iuto  the  deep  snow 
to  pass  tlie  night  in  cold  weather:  this  it  does  very  fre- 
quently, and  its  snowy  covering  affords  it  a  warm  and 
effectual  protection.  But  if  it  rains  during  the  night,  and 
then  the  weather  changes  to  freezing,  the  Grouse,  imprisoned 
beneath  the  crust  that  forms  on  the  surface  of  the  snow, 
soon  dies ;  and  it  is  noticed,  that,  in  seasons  after  winters 
when  the  weather  frequently  changes  from  raining  to  freez- 
ing, there  is  a  scarcity  of  these  birds.  It  is  a  common 
occurrence  to  find  them,  in  the  spring,  dead,  having  perished 
in  this  manner. 


f\i\\    flllOW,   tll'^J 

ig  on  tho  troos, 
feeding  on  thin 
ms  to  bo  eaton  ; 
\  winter,  if  they 
imc,  or  if  their 

evo,  pccnliar  to 
tho  deep  snow 
t  does  very  fre- 
it  a  warm  and 
ig  tlie  night,  and 
onse,  imprisoned 
ice  of  tho  snow, 
ans  after  winters 
raining  to  frccz- 
It  is  a  common 
I,  having  perished 


lin^' 


TUK    VIlUilMA    I'AUTlllUOK. 


.•IS!» 


FaMILT    VKHDWIDAL      Tuk    I'AIlTKIDOBi. 

Noxir.ln  |iriitL'ctc<l  by  u  iiukvU  M-alv;  tliu  tursi  liare  uii'l  sciitillutv. 

Tliu  I'trd'uutix  (till'iT  Iruiii  tliu  (jruusu  iii  tliu  boru  li;^"<  und  liukid  iiukuI  tuMir; 
they  aru  much  vmul.ur  In  hIzu  and  i.  >re  almiuluiit  in  niicricii;  tlivy  aru  widely  diit- 
Iribulvd  over  the  Hurtace  oi  Iho  Klobe,  a  Ur)(i!  immbttr  bvlon^iiiK  tu  Aiiii'ricu,  whcrti 
the  Hub-l'iiiiiilii'H  huvu  no  Uld-World  rvpresciitativvit  whatuvcr;  thi'  liiud  Ht'ldoni,  il' 
ever,  nhiiWH  (hi:  nnkcd  npace  iiruiind  and  ubovu  the  uye,  vi  coiniiinii  in  the  Tttiatmidtt ; 
and  the  HiduH  (if  the  tuuit  Hcarcely  exhibit  ihu  puculiur  pectiaatiuu  I'urmud  by  a  luc- 
teMion  of  Binall  scales  or  platei. 

Sub-Family  OiiTYGiNiE. 

mil  stout;  the  lower  mandible  mure  ur  Iomh  bidentulu  on  each  side  near  the  end. 

The  Oit)/i/ituB  of  lionapurtu,  or  Otlontajtliiiriiiit  of  other  aiithorn,  ure  characterized 
an  a  ifTaup  by  the  bidentutiun  on  either  itidu  of  the  edge  of  lower  inaiidiMu,  uHuully 
concealed  in  the  clo-^cd  mouth,  and  Bomctinies  scarcely  appreciable;  the  bill  is  short, 
and  rather  high  at  base,  stouter  and  shorter  tliiin  what  is  usually  seen  in  Old- 
World  partridges;  the  culiuen  is  curved  from  the  bate;  the  tip  of  the  bill  broad, 
and  overlapping  the  end  of  the  lower  mandible;  the  nasal  groove  is  short;  the  tail  is 
rather  broad  and  long. 

ORTYX,  Stephens. 

Ortyx,  STEriiENB,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XI.  (1819).    (Type  Tetrao  \'irijininniu,  L.) 

Bill  stout;  head  entirely  without  any  crest;  tail  short,  scarcely  more  than  half 

the  wing,  composed  of  moderately  soft  feathers ;  wings  normal ;  legs  developed,  the 

t(ies  reaching  considerably  beyond  the  tip  of  the  tail;  the  lateral  toes  short,  equal, 

their  claws  falling  decidedly  short  of  the  base  of  the  middle  claw. 


ORTYX  VIRGINIANUS.  — £ofin/)ar<e. 

The  Virgrinia  Partridge;  Quail;  Bob-white. 

Tetrao  Virgininnut,  I.innieus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  277. 

Perdue    Virgininna,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VI.  (1812)  21.    Aud.  Urn.  Biog.,  i. 
(1831)  888;  V.  (1839)  564. 

Ortyx  Virgirtiana,  Jardine.    Nat.  Lib.  Birds,  IV.;  Game  Birds,  101. 
Perdix  (  Colinia)  Vtrginiana,  Nuttall.    Blan.,  I.  (1832)  646. 

Description. 
Forehead,  and  line  through  the  eye  and  along  the  side  of  the  neck,  with  chin 
und  throat,  white;  a  band  of  black  across  the  vertex,  and  extending  backwards  on 
the  sides,  within  the  white,  and  another  from  the  maxilla  beneath  the  eye,  and 
crossing  on  the  lower  part  of  the  throat ;  the  under  parts  are  white,  tinged  with 
brown  anteriorly,  each  feather  with  several  narrow,  obtusely  V-shnpcd  bands  of 


K.-tTo:.  Ti-w  i.wt^il=*«iHSif.Ti-i^*4 


a!t<» 


ORNn'IIOLO(;Y   AND    OOLOGY. 


Iiliick;  the  forepart  of  l)ack,  the  side  of  the  breast  and  in  front  just  below  the  blaek 
collar,  of  a  dull  pinkish-n.il;  the  sides  o;'  body  and  wing  coverls  brownisli-red;  tha 
latter  iihnost  uniform,  without  indication  of  mottling;  SL':i]Hilars  and  upper  tertiala 
i-.iiirsolv  blotched  with  bliick,  and  edged  internally  with  brownishytllow;  top  of 
lii'iid  reddish;  the  lower  part  of  neck,  except  anteriorly,  streaked  with  white  and 
Mark;   primary  quills  unspotted  brown;   tail  ash. 

i'emale  with  the  white  markings  of  Llie  head  replaced  by  brownish-yellow;  tha 
black  wanting. 

This  species  is  subject  to  considerable  variations  both  of  size  and  color,  the  more 
nortlicru  being  considerably  tlie  larger;  southern  specimens  are  darker,  with 
more  black  about  the  head,  on  the  wings,  and  the  middle  of  the  buck;  there  is  also 
a  more  appreciable  mottling  on  the  wiiigs,  and  the  feathers  of  the  buck  are  streaked 
with  black. 

Length,  ten  inches r  wing,  four  and  seventy  one-hundredths  inches;  tail,  two  and 
eighty  five  one-hundredths  inches. 


»-i:: 


1^     »-.l 


■4  S 

'Hltit     :; 


THIS  bird  is  well  known  in  various  localities  as  "  Boh- 
Whiie;'  "J/w«-UV^"  ^' nnvl-M'heat:'  etc.,  from 
its  peculiar  call  or  whistle;  it  i.s  pretty  general',  disti'ilmted 
throughout  nio.st  of  the  coinitry,  from  the  Koeky  Moiuitains 
to  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  In  the  New  England  States  it  is 
very  rai-ely  found  north  of  Massachusetts,  but  in  the 
Western  States  and  in  some  of  the  Southern  it  is  quite 
generally  met  with.  In  Illinois  and  the  other  prairie  States 
it  is  exceedingly  abundant,  and  in  sections  where  large  areas 
of  Indian  corn  and  wheat  are  raised,  it  is  found  in  great 
numbers.  In  Oliio  it  is  in  some  localities  the  most  common 
of  birds,  and  with  a  good  dog  in  some  of  the  extensive 
ranges  of  yoimg  growth  devoted  to  pasturage  I  have  had 
magniticent  shooting. 

Tlie  call  of  the  male  bird  is  a  familiar  sound  in  our  fields 
and  pastures  in  the  spring  and  summer  months.  Perched 
on  a  fence  or  on  a  low  tree  or  bush,  he  repeats  his  cheerful 
song  time  and  time  again,  and  I  know  of  nothing  among 
the  sounds  of  runil  life  that  is  more  inspiriting  to  the  city 
denizen  and  the  weary  man  of  business. 

To  listen  to  the  Quail  repeating  his  notes  in  summer  is  to 
recall  our  boyhood's  days  in  the  lields  ajid  meadows  of  the 
old  homestead.  It  is  to  bring  back  to  memory  the  delicious 
rambles  in  the  old  berry  pastures  of  long  ago.     It  is  to  call 


ist  below  tlie  black 
brownish-red;  the 
and  uiu>er  tertiala 
ish-jiUow;  top  of 
ed  with  white  and 

ownish-y';l''>w ;  th« 

and  color,  the  more 
3  are  darker,  with 
i  back;  there  is  also 
le  back  are  streaked 

inches;  tail,  two  and 


lities  as  "  Boh- 
uf„''   etc.,   from 
■ill '  ■  distributed 
ocky  ^Mountains 
and  States  it  is 
tts,   but  in   the 
leru  it  is  quite 
er  prairie  States 
here  large  areas 
found  in  great 
le  most  eoninion 
of  the  extensivt; 
irage  I  have  hatl 

iund  in  our  fields 
loiiths.  Perched 
)cats  his  cheerful 
f  nothing  among 
liriting  to  the  city 

US  in  summer  is  to 

1  meadows  of  the 

niory  thedelici(>iis 

■i.r,).     It  is  to  call 


■■^     S 


H  ^ 


ii 


«  I, 


i)< 


Tim   VlIKilXIA    rAUTRIDCIv 


.301 


lip  tlie  vision  of  days  gone  by,  the  liappiest  aiul  purest  days 
of  life.  Ileiiiembraiiceri  of  tlie  ba1)blin«:;  brodk,  where,  in 
days  of  yore,  with  alder  rod  in  liand,  we  tempted  from  tlio 
deep  atul  sparkling  pools  the  spotted  trout,  come  up  and 
mingle  with  the  recolleetion  of  the  meadow's  sweetest  odors 
and  songs  of  Bobolink  and  Thrush. 

To  listen  to  the  (Juail  is  to  bring  back  to  memory  every 
pleasant  hour  of  boyhood's  life,  ami  without  that  song  half 
of  the  cliarms  of  our  fields  and  mondows  and  pastures  would 
l)e  lost. 

The  Quail,  or  more  ])roperly,  Partridge,  speaking  oriii- 
thologically,  pairs  and  eommences  nesting  about  the  tii'st 
of  May  in  our  latitud(!,  sometii.ies  earlier  if  the  spring  is 
forward ;  in  more  southern  localities  the  eggs  are  laid 
earlier. 

The  nest  is  often  concealed  under  a  clump  of  bushes  or  ;i 
tuft  of  thick  grass,  but  sometimes  it  is  built  in  a  quite  ex- 
posed position.  I  have  found  nests  in  little  thickets  of 
brier  bushes  growing  beside  walls  and  fences,  and  have  seen 
one  at  least  that  was  made  under  the  lee  side  of  an  old 
^tump.  The  nest  is  constructed  of  small  twigs  and  grass, 
and  is  lined  with  liner  leaves  of  grass  and  herbage.  I  have 
never  seen  one  covered  at  the  top  like  the  nest  of  the  Oven 
i^)ird  or  Golden-crowned  Thrush  such  as  has  been  described, 
although  the  birds  may  occasionally  so  cover  them.  I  have 
seen  altogether  perhaps  fifteen  or  twenty  nests,  and  not 
one  was  covered  at  the  top.  "Wilson  says  that  the  nest 
"is  well  covered  above  and  an  opening  left  on  one  side  for 
entrance,"  and  other  writers  have  put  on  record  tlie  same 
fact,  so  that  it  is  probable  that  the  bird's  nesting  habits  vary 
in  different  sections.  In  a  great  numlier  of  eggs  from  many 
localities  that  I  have  examined,  some  were  nearly  pure  white, 
others  were  smeared  with  some  blotches  or  confluent  dabs  of 
yellow.  These  markings  were  caixsed,  I  j  udge,  by  stains  from 
the  earth  or  damp  vegetation  on  which  the  eggs  were  laid. 
The  form  of  tiie  egg  is  pyriform  or  pear-shaped  ;  their  aver- 


:v.y2 


()kmth()L()(;y  and  oolooy. 


.i       :'■-•», 


H^ 


*  'I'M 


!i;:i.'  length  I.-  ahniit  1!  inch,  and  the  average  greatest  width 
1  iiu-li. 

Tlie  nuinhor  of  oggs  usually  laid  in  a  nest  is  from  ten  to 
lit'teen,  although  when  two  females  lay  in  the  same  nest, 
uhicli  is  sometimes  the  case,  as  many  as  twenty  or  even 
ludre  t'ggs  are  i'ound.  During  the  time  of  incubation  the 
iriale  Ijinl  remains  in  the  vicinity  of  his  mate,  and  occasion- 
ally takes  her  place  on  tiu;  nest.  1  have  often  seen  the  cock 
(^uail  thus  engaged  and  believe  it  is  a  c mmion  occurrence. 

The  period  of  incubation  has  been  variously  stated  by  dif- 
ferent writers,  some  2)laciiig  it  at  tlirce  weeks,  some  less,  and 
some  even  at  four  weeks.  J  have  heard  of  a  number  of  in- 
stances M'licre  the  eggs  of  the  Quail  have  been  set  under  ban- 
tam hens,  and  in  every  case  they  liatchc'i  iu  three  weeks. 
In  one  instance  the  fresh-laid  eggs  oF  th.-  Quail  were  put 
with  a  bantam's  eggs;  in  three  Mceks  the  Quails  and  ban- 
tam chicks  were  hatched  in  one  brood. 

In  seasons  of  very  early  springs  I  Lave  no  doubt  tliat  two 
broods  are  hatched,  for  it  is  not  uncomTrum  to  find  in  the 
autumn  coveys  in  which  full-grown  chicks  are  associating 
with  some  but  half-matured. 

The  Quai'-  "uless  much  puri^ued  by  lumters,  is  a  very  fa- 
miliar bird  I  ];ave  often  seen  small  coveys  running  about 
with  the  faiuiers'  chickens,  and  I  believe  it  is  a  common 
habit  for  them,  iu  sections  where  they  are  not  molested, 
to  share  the  rations  of  the  domestic  fowls  about  the  gi'ain- 
ricks  and  barn-yards. 

The  thorough  domestication  of  the  Quail  is  so  pi'acticabie 
that  it  is  strange  it  is  not  more  generally  followed.  A  gen- 
tleman of  my  acquaintance  has  rejieatedly  reared  large  num- 
bers in  confinemetit,  and  I  have  heard  of  other  instances. 
In  the  case  I  refer  to,  two  pairs  of  the  birds  were  placed  in 
a  large  attic  in  a  dwelling-house,  the  floor  of  which  had  been 
covered  with  sand  and  loam,  over  which  some  bunches  of 
brush  and  herbage  had  been  scattered.  The  Quails  were 
watered  and    fed  like  so  many  domestic  fowls,  and   in  the 


.:   "*'->X!t'.'i" 


>rs,  is  a  very  fa- 


THE   VIRGINIA   rARTRIDGB. 


39n 


Micccediiiij  autiiinii  tlicy  miinbered,  witli  their  proj^cny, 
twenty-eight  birds.  The  whole  lloek  was  very  tame  and 
i'unnliar,  and  they  proved  very  interesting  pets. 

To  the  spoi'tsniuii  the  ()iiail  is  one  of  tlie  greatest  favor- 
ites among  our  game  birds.  It  lies  well  to  the  dog  in  almost 
all  seasons  and  localities,  and  when  a  covey  is  found  in  de- 
.-ii-ablo  cover,  a  good  bag  may  be  counted  ou  by  a  fair  shot. 
I  have  often  bagged  as  large  a  percentage  as  a  dozen  out  of 
fifteen  birds  in  a  covey,  and  there  are  sportsmen  who  claim 
111  have  shot  everv  bird  in  the  covev.  When  the  l)irds  iir,-t 
break  cov  r,  if  the  dog  has  done  his  work  well,  one  ought  to 
get  at  least  a  brace  with  right  and  left  barrels,  and  tlicii 
wlien  the  covey  is  "  marked  down  '"  in  good  cover,  their  scat- 
tered numbers  onght  to  be  [)icked  up,  one  by  one,  by  almost 
a  novice.  Of  course,  perfect  coolness  in  the  sportsman  is  a 
rcijuisite  ;  for  the  bird  gets  up  with  a  sudden  whir  and  dash 
and  llies  away  with  the  speed  of  a  bullet. 

In  nine  cases  out  of  ten  when  I  have  missed  my  l)ird  it 
has  been  owing  to  my  tiring  too(piickly,  and  before  the  bird 
had  got  fairly  out  where  the  charge  could  separate. 

The  Quail  is  a  very  [irolitic  bird  or  it  woidd  be  entii-ely 
extirpated.  Tlie  trained  dog  points  to  its  hiding-place  with 
inierring  accuracy  ;  the  inqn'oved  breech-loader,  aimed  by 
the  practiced  hunter,  empties  its  charge  with  fearful  cer- 
tainty and  is  reloaded  with  great  rapidity.  The  net  cap- 
tures with  one  fell  swoop  a  whole  covey;  the  birds  and 
beasts  of  prey  destroy  great  numbers;  and  the  merciless 
winter  piles  a  nnirderous  depth  of  snow  npon  ihem  in  their 
roosting-places  on  the  ground.  Yet  by  a  series  of  wonder- 
ful escapes,  enough  are  left  in  the  spring  to  perpetuate  the 
race  and  enliven  with  their  sprightly  wliistle  our  fields  and 
meadows  tlirough  the  glorious  summer  time. 


394 


OBMTUOL0(JY   AND   OOLOGY. 


'IS 


;-*■;-; 

■  "^.H 


^- 


NOTES. 

I  coiitiuuo  Mr.  Coupor's  iiotos,  made  at  Quebec,  Lower 
Canada : — 

ECTOPISTfiS  MIGEAI0BIU3.  —  Tlie  Passenger  Pitjeon  is  not  so  common 
in  this  portion  of  Lower  us  in  Upper  Canada,  wliere  tliey  breed  in  Iar;;e 
numbers.  They  are  found  breeding  in  tlie  eastern  townships  of  Lower 
Canada;  but  I  have  not  ascertained  that  tliey  breed  in  tliis  district  or  north 
of  it.  I  remember  at  one  time  findir.jf  a  nest  of  this  pigeon  in  tlie  woods 
nortli  of  Toronto :  it  contained  a  .siiijrle  young  one.  I  bcliuvu  tiiere  are 
many  instances  of  its  breedin;;  in  solitary  yairs,  souietliing  like  the  Wood 
Pigeon  of  Kiuope. 

ZENAIDUHA  CAROLINENSIS.  — Tlio  Carolina  Dove  lias  never  been  noticed 
in  Lower  Canada.  It  occurs  occasionally  in  the  woods  north  of  tlie  city  of 
Toronto,  where,  I  believe,  it  breeds. 

TETEAO  CANADENSIS.  —  This  species  is  very  common  from  October  to 
February.  They  are  in  prime  condition  during  the  last  month.  It  breeds 
on  both  sides  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  but  more  connnon  on  the  south.  During 
the  above  month.s,  there  are  generally  six  males  to  one  female  exhibited 
on  our  markets.  The  inhabitants  inform  me  that  females  are  very  scarce 
daring  winter.  This  is  a  parodox  to  nie,  when  I  iinow  that  both  male  and 
female  feed  on  the  same  tree.  AVIiat  is  also  astonismng,  the  nest  and  eggs 
of  this  bird  are  as  hard  to  discover  in  spring  as  the  female  is  in  winter.  1 
li.'ive  offered  to  purchase  every  nest  of  this  species  brought  to  me ;  but, 
Btrange  to  say,  I  have  not  beer,  fortunate  in  seeing  one  yet. 

BONASA  UMBELLUS.  —  Common.  Breeds.  I  have  repeatedly  found  the 
nest  of  tills  species 


Or';ER   V.  —  OBALLATORES. 


no.-, 


ORDER  v.  — GRALLAT0RE8.      Wadehs. 


Legs,  neck,  and  usually  the  bill,  much  lengthened ;  tibia  bare 
for  a  certain  distance  above  the  tarsal  joint;  nostrils  exposed;  tail 
u  lUally  very  short ;  the  sj)ecies  live  along  or  near  the  water,  more 
rarely  in  dry  plains,  wading,  never  swiniining  habitually,  cxcej)! 
purliaps  in  the  case  of  the  Phabuojx's. 

Tiio  bill  of  the  GniUaturas  is  usually  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
length  of  legs  and  neck.  The  toes  vary,  but  are  usually  connected 
at  the  base  by  a  membrane,  which  sometimes  extends  almost  or 
(luite  to  the  claws. 

The   GraUatores,  like  the  Rasores  and  Natatores,  are  divisible 
into  two  sub-orders,  according  as  the  species  rear  and  feed  their 
young  in  nests,  or  allow  them  to  shift  for  themselves.     The  follow 
iiig  diagnoses  express  the  general  character  of  these  subdivisions  : 

IIkrodionk.s.  —  Face  or  lores  more  or  less  naked,  or  else 
covered  with  feathers  different  from  those  on  the  rest  of  the 
body,  except  in  some  Gruidce  ;  bill  nearly  as  thick  at  the  base  as 
the  skull ;  hind  toe  generally  nearly  on  same  level  with  the  ante- 
rior :  young  reared  in  nests,  and  requiring  to  be  fed  by  the  parent. 

GKALLij:.  —  Lores  with  feather^;  similar  to  those  on  the  rest  of 
ilie  body ;  bill  contracted  at  base,  where  it  is  usually  smaller  than 
the  skull ;  hind  toe  generally  elevated  ;  young  running  about  at 
birth,  and  able  to  feed  themselves. 


300 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


SUB-ORDER  HERODIONES. 


Hill  generally  thick  at  the  base  and  much  longer  than  the  head;  frontal  feathers 
with  a  rounded  outline;  lorcH,  and  generally  the  region  round  the  eye  (sometiues 
most  of  the  head),  nuked 

'I'hc  primary  cliurncteri.stic  of  the  Ihivdiunes,  though  physiological  rattier  than 
Boolojjital,  is  of  tliu  highest  importance;  the  young  are  born  weak  and  iniperfcct, 
■nd  are  reared  in  the  nest,  being  fed  directly  by  the  parent  until  able  to  take  care  of 
them?olve8,  when  they  are  generally  abandoned.  In  tlie  Orall(e,  on  the  contrary, 
the  young  run  about  freely,  directly  after  being  hatclied,  and  are  capable  of  securing 
food  for  themselves  tinder  the  direction  of  the  parent. 

The  chief  zoological  charuiter  (not,  however,  entirely  without  exception)  is  to  be 
found  iu  the  bill,  which  is  generally  very  large,  much  longer  than  the  head,  and 
thickened  at  the  base  so  as  to  be  nearly  or  quite  as  broad  and  high  as  the  skull;  the 
lores  are  almost  always  naked,  or,  if  covered,  it  is  with  feathers  of  a  different  kind 
from  those  on  the  rest  of  the  body ;  the  hind  toe  in  most  genera  is  lengthened  and 
on  a  level  with  the  ontcrior,  so  as  to  be  capable  of  grasping;  sometimes,  however,  it 
is  elevated  and  quite  short.  —  Baiuu. 


FAMiLr  ARDEID^.     The  Heijons. 

Bill  conical,  acuminate,  compressed,  and  acute;  the  edges  usually  nicked  at  the 
end;  the  fh)ntal  feathers  generally  extending  beyond  the  nostrils;  tarsi  scutellate 
anteriorly;  the  middle  toe  connected  to  tlie  outer  by  a  basal  web;  claws  acute;  the 
edge  of  the  middle  one  berrated  or  pectinated  on  its  inner  edge. 


) 


GARZETTA,  Bonaparte. 

Garzetta,  Bonaparte,  Consp.,  II.  (1856)  118.  (Type  Ardea  ganeUd,  L., 
whether  of  Kaup,  1829?) 

Hill  slender;  outlines  nearly  straight  to  near  the  tip,  when  they  are  about 
equally  convex;  middle  too  more  than  half  the  tarsus;  tarsi  broadly  scutellate  ante- 
riorly; tibia  denuded  for  about  one-half;  outer  toe  longest;  head  with  a  full  occipital 
crest  of  feathers  having  the  webs  decomposed,  hair-like ;  feathers  of  lower  part  of 
throat  similar;  middle  of  back  with  long  plumes  reaching  to  the  tail,  recurving  at 
tip;  the?*  plumes  and  the  crest  apparently  permanent;  lower  part  of  neck  behind, 
bare  of  feathers;  colors  pure-white  in  all  ages. 


GAEZETTA  CANDIDISSIMA.  —  BonapaHe. 
The  Snowy  Heron. 

Anka  candidisdnui,  GmeWn.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  633.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VII. 
(1813)  120.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  49.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1635)  317;  V. 
(1839)  606. 

GaitnUa  candidiatima,  Bonaparte.    Consp.  (1855),  119. 


THF   SNOWY    HEUON. 


;v.r.- 


nrsciiiiTlON. 

Occiput  much  crested;  dorsal  pliimcs  rcndiinR  to  the  end  of  the  tail;  colors  pure- 
white;  bill  black;  the  base  yellow;  \ffj;*  bliick;  irin,  ha/cl  in  youii),',  y<  How  in 
iiilult. 

Length,  twenty-four  inches;  win^,  ten  and  twi-nfy  onc-hundrodths  inches;  tar 
sus,  three  and  eighty  one-hundredtlis  inches;  bill,  above,  three  and  titlecn  one-lmii 
drodths  inches. 


k  usually  nicked  at  the 
lostrils;  tarsi  scutellate 


pe  Ardea  ganetta,  L., 


THIS  beautiful  bird  is  a  very  rare  summer  visitor  in 
the  soiitbcrn  New-England  States.  I  bavc  never  liail 
an  opportunity  for  observin<>'  its  babits,  and  will  give  the 
description  by  Wilson  :  — 

"The  Snowy  Heron  seems  partionliirly  fond  of  the  salt  marshes 
during  summer,  seldom  penetrating  far  inland.  Its  white  plumage 
renders  it  a  very  conspicuous  object,  either  while  on  wing,  or  while 
wading  the  meadows  or  marshes. 
Its  food  consists  of  those  small 
crabs  usually  called  jiddlers,  mud- 
worms,  snails,  frogs,  and  lizards. 
It  also  feeds  on  the  seeds  of  some 
species  of  nympha?,  and  of  several 
other  aquatic  plants. 

On  the  19th  of  May,  I  visited 
an  extensive  breeding-place  of  the 
Snowy  Heron,  among  the  red  ce- 
dars of  Summer's  Beach,  on  the 
coast  of  Cape  May.  The  situiition 
was  very  sequestered,  bounded  on 
the  land  side  by  a  fresh-watf;;- 
marsh  or  pond,  and  slieltered  from 
the  Atlantic  by  ranges  of  sand-hills.  The  cedars,  though  not  high, 
were  so  closely  crowded  together  as  to  render  it  difficult  to  pene- 
trate through  among  them.  Some  trees  contained  three,  olhers 
four  nests,  built  wholly  of  sticks.  Each  had  in  it  three  eggs  of  ii 
pale  greenish-blue  color,  and  measuring  an  inch  and  three-quarters 
in  length  by  an  inch  and  a  quarter  in  thickness.  Forty  or  fifty  of 
these  eggs  were  cooked,  and  found  to  be  well  tasted  :  the  white 
was  of  a  bluish  tint,  and  almost  transparent,  though  boiled  for  a 
considerable  time ;  the  yolk  very  small  in  quantity.     The  birds 


898 


OnSITIIOLOOY   AND  OOLOfJY. 


rose  in  vast  numbers,  hut  without  I'hiuKir.  iiliiihtiii;^  on  tlic  trtjis  of 
the  trtii's  arotiiid,  iiud  watdiin;;  tlu;  result  in  silent  anxiety.  Amonff 
tliem  were  luimbers  of  the  Niglit  Heron,  and  two  or  tlir<  e  I*nr|)l('- 
headed  Herons.  Great  quantities  of  eirji-sliells  lay  scattered  under 
the  trees,  oceasioned  by  the  depredations  of  the  Crows,  who  were 
continually  hf)verinj;  about  tlie  place.  On  one  of  the  nests  I  faind 
the  dead  body  of  the  bird  itself,  half  devoured  l)y  the  Hawks, 
Crows,  or  Gulls.     She  had  probably  perished  in  defence  of  her 

"The  Snowy  Heron  is  seen  at  all  times  during  summer  among 
the  salt  marshes,  watching  and  searchini;  for  food,  or  passing,  some- 
times in  flocks,  from  one  part  of  the  bay  to  tlie  other.  They  often 
make  excursions  up  the  rivers  and  inlets,  but  return  regularly  in 
the  evening  to  the  red  cedars  on  the  beach  to  roost." 


,••■■1 


1»l»r 


ARDEA,  LiNN.RUS. 

Allien,  LiNN-OT's,  Syst.  Nat.,  T.  (ITS').  (Tj-pe  A.  cinerra.) 
Hill  very  thick;  culmen  iirarly  sfraiglit;  ponys  nscenflitifj,  its  tip  more  coiivpx 
tlinn  that  of  cuhiion;  middle  toe  more  than  half  the  tarsus;  tibia  bare  for  nearly 
or  quite  one-half;  claws  short,  much  <urved;  outer  toe  IcniKPst;  tarsus  broii(ll\- 
Mutcllate  anteriorly;  occiput  with  a  few  elonjjated  occipital  feathers;  scapulars 
elongate  lanceolate,  lis  long  as  the  secondaries;  no  dorsal  plumes;  tail  of  twelve 
broad  stiffened  fcather.s;  back  of  neck  well  feathered;  size  very  large;  colors  pluni- 
beoug,  streaked  beneath. 


ASDEA  HEEODIAS.  —  Urmceus. 
The  Great  Blue  Heron,  or  Crans. 

Ardta  Ilerodwt,  LinniEus.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (17C0)  237.    Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  Vlll. 
(1P14)  28.    Nutt.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  42.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  87;  V.  C90. 


Desckiption. 

Lower  third  of  tibia  bare;  above  bluish-ash;  edges  of  wing  and  the  tibia  nifous; 
neck  ciimamon-brown;  head  black,  with  a  white  frontal  patch;  body  beneath  black, 
broadly  streaked  on  the  belly  w^ith  white;  crissum  white;  middle  line  of  th rout 
white,  streaked  with  black  and  rufous. 

Adult.  — 15111  yellow,  dusky  at  the  base  and  greenish  abo^  :  the  forehead  and 
central  part  of  the  crown  are  white,  encircled  laterally  and  iiehind  by  black,  of 
which  color  is  the  occipital  crest  and  its  two  elongated  feathers;  the  neck  is  of  a 
light  smoky  cinnamon-brown,  with  perhaps  a  tinge  of  purple;  the  chin  and  throat 
whiti.sh ;  the  feathers  along  the  central  line  of  the  throat  to  the  breast  white,  streaked 
with  black,  and  ilso  with  reddish-brown,  except  on  the  elongated  feathers  of  the 


THE   cniDAT    ItLLK    IIKUON. 


.;!i'.t 


hr«a«t;  llu'  Imdy  mny  !"■  doK-rilwil  a«  l)liii-li-»tli  iilmvc  nml  en  tlir  «iili-<;  ihi'  iimlif 
parts,  incliiiliiiK  iIk'  l"'^  <>'  i'alln'rs  on  eiicli  •'U\f  the  liri'a>t  aixi  tlii^  liclli  in  ilie 
wliitf  rrisKiim,  Hri>  ixioty  bliuk,  iiiiuli  varicil  nloii^;  ilic  iiiiiliili'  line  witli  wliili'; 
till'  tlliiii  ami  llio  ednc  <il'  the  wiiij;  iir«  riUMiiiii  thi^  <|iillU  nrv.  him  k,  In'coiiiiiiK  iii'iru 
|iliiiiitn(m.i  intcrnully  until  tlie  innormint  iici'iiiuliirii's  nro  a'^liy,  like  tin-  buck;  tli« 
fliin>.'at('(l  tips  of  tlifi  Fcnpular  tVntli'  r,  liavc  a  whitish  »hni1>':  the  tail  i^  of  a  Miiixh- 
flali-  iiilor;  aciordinn  ti«  Mr.  Auiliihini,  th>;  bill  in  life  is  yclhiw;  dusky -jfrci'n  iibovi'; 
liiral  nml  orliital  places  liKlit-fjrii  ii;  iris  mellow;  fi'pt  olivaccoiiit,  paler  above  Iha 
tiliiii-tarsal  joint;  claws  black. 

young.  —  The  upper  nmniiiblo  is  bla<Uish;  llio  lower  yellow,  except  nlotin  Iho 
foniinlMsiirc!  the  head  above  is  entirely  dusky,  without  the  iniuh  ilonj,'i\ted  occipital 
Halhersi  the  breast  la  grayish,  streaked  with  white  and  li^jht-brnwti,  but  with  ut 
an V  jiure-black  patches;  the  back  is  without  the  elongated  scajiular  feathers;  in 
Mill  younger  specimens,  the  coverts  are  all  inarj,'ined  with  rufous,  whii  h  becomes 
lighter  ut  the  tip;  the  rufous  of  the  tibia  is  much  linliter. 

I.ength,  forty-two  inches;  wing,  eighteen  and  lirty  one-bundrc  dllis;  tarsus  nbimt 
fix  nnd  fifty  one-hiindredths  inches;  bill  about  live  and  tiity  one-hundrcdthii 
inches. 


abo^  ;  tbe  forehead  nml 
and  iichind  by  black,  of 
cnthers;  the  neck  is  of  a 
pic;  the  chin  and  throat 
the  breast  white,  streaked 
elongated  feathers  of  the 


Tills,  the  largest  of  our  New-Eii gland  Iluroiis,  is  pretty 
gononilly  clistril)uted  throughout  these  States  as  a  suminei 
resident ;  and,  although  not  very  abundant  in  any  section,  it 
is  of  course  more  oi'ten  found  in  localities  near  large  bodies  o*" 
water  than  elsewhere.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the 
second  week  in  April,  sometiuios  a  little  earlier.  During 
the  day,  it  seems  to  prefer  the  solitudes  of  the  forest  for 
its  retreat,  as  it  is  usiuiUy  seen  in  the  meadows  only  at  early 
ni'irning,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  afternoon.  It  then, 
l)y  the  side  of  a  ditch  or  pond,  is  observed  ]iatien(ly  widchiug 
for  its  prey.  It  remains  standing  motionless  until  a  fish  or 
frog  presents  itself,  when,  with  an  unerring  stroke  with  its 
beak,  as  quick  as  lightning,  it  seizes,  beats  to  pieces,  and 
swallows  it.  This  act  is  ol'ien  repeated  ;  and,  as  the  Heron 
varies  this  diet  with  meadow-mice,  snakes,  and  insects,  it 
certainly  does  not  lead  the  life  of  misery  and  want  that 
many  writers  ascribe  to  V  In  fact,  it  is  always  plump  and 
in  i:ood  condition  ;  and  by  many  is  considered  as  a  palatable 
bird  on  the  table. 

About  the  10th  of  May,  this  species  commences  ))uilding: 
as  with  the  other  Herons,  it  breeds  in  communities,  and 
several  nests  may  he  found  in  an  area  of  a  few  rods.    These 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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400 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


are  placed  in  high  forks  of  trees,  generally  in  retired,  almost 
impassable  swamps.  I  once  visited  a  heronry  of  this  species 
in  Erroll,  N.II.  It  was  in  a  deep  swamp,  which  was  inter- 
sected by  a  small  branch  of  the  Androscoggin  River.  I 
think  tJiat  I  never  penetrated  a  more  villanoius  tract:  every 
few  rods  a  quagmire  would  present  itself,  which,  although 
familiar  to  the  persons  who  accompanied  me,  was  generally 
unrecognizable  by  me,  from  any  patches  of  green  turf;  and 
it  was  only  by  wading  through  mud  and  water,  sometimes 
up  to  my  waist,  or  by  leaping  from  one  fallen  tree  to  another, 
through  briers  and  brushwood,  that  I  at  last  succeeded  in 
arriving  beneath  tlie  trees  in  which  the  nests  were  built. 
These  were  all  dead  hemlocks,  white  and  smooth,  without  a 
branch  for  certainly  forty  feet,  and  unclimbable.  We  could 
see  that  the  nests  Avere  nearly  flat,  and  were  constructed  of 
twigs  of  different  sizes,  ptit  together  in  a  loose  and  slovenly 
manner.  This  was  about  the  25th  of  June :  the  young  were, 
of  course,  then  about  two-thirds  grown  ;  and,  as  I  had  heard 
that  they  were  excellent  eating,  I  emptied  both  the  barrels 
of  my  gun  into  one  of  the  nests,  when  down  tumbled  two 
"  squab  Herons,"  as  they  are  called.  We  had  them  broiled 
for  supper:  they  tasted  something  like  duck,  but  had  a 
strong  flavor  that  was  not  pleasant.  "  I  don't  hanker  after 
any  more,"  as  one  of  our  company  said  after  supper.  The 
old  birds,  at  the  report  of  my  gun,  began  flying  over  our 
heads,  uttering  their  hoarse  honks  and  guttural  cries.  Tliey 
were  careful  to  keep  out  of  gunsliot ;  and,  after  flying  back 
and  forth  a  few  minutes,  they  disappeared,  and  all  was  still. 
The  eggs  of  this  species  are  laid  about  the  loth  or  20th  of 
May :  they  are  usually  three  or  four  in  number,  and  their 
form  is  ovoidal.  Tliey  are  of  a  light  bluish-green  color,  and 
average  in  dimensions  about  2.62  by  1.75  inch.  But  one 
brood  is  reared  in  the  season. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  suspicious  of  our  birds,  and 
the  most  difficult  to  bo  approached.  It  is  constantly  on  the 
lookout  for  danger ;  and  its  long  neck,  keen  eyes,  and  deli' 


THE   LEAST  BITTERN. 


401 


n  retired,  almost 
ry  of  this  species 
which  was  inter- 
30ggiu  River.     I 
nous  tract:  every 
r,  wliich,  althougli 
me,  was  generally 
f  orrceu  turf;  and 

water,  sometimes 
en  tree  to  another, 
last  succeeded  in 
J  nests  were  built. 

smooth,  without  a 
.nbable.  Wo  could 
i^cre  constructed  of 
I  loose  and  slovenly 
le :  the  young  were, 

and,  as  I  had  heard 

led  both  the  barrels 

down  tumbled  two 

e  had  them  broiled 

^e  duck,  but  had  a 

|l  don't  hanker  after 

after  suppev.    The 

[gan  flying  ^^'^^  «'"' 
juttural  cries.    They 
[nd.  after  flying  back 
•ed,  and  all  was  still, 
■the  15th  or  20th  of 
n  number,  and  their 
luish-green  color,  and 
1.75  inch.     But  one 

L  of  our  birds,  and 
|t  is  constantly  on  the 
I,  keen  eyes,  and  .leh' 


cate  organs  of  hearing,  enable  it  to  detect  the  approach  of 
a  liunter  long  before  he  can  get  w'tliin  gunshot. 

About  the  middle  of  October,  >t  leaves  New  England,  in 
small  detached  groups,  for  the  South. 

ARDETTA,  Gray. 

Ardetla,  Gray,  List  of  Genera,  App.  (1842),  1.3.    (Type  Anka  minuta,  L.) 

Bill  slender,  acute;  both  mandibles  about  equally  curved;  legs  very  short;  tarsi 

less  than  middle  toe;   inner  toe  much  longest;   claws  long,  acute;  tarsi  broadly 

tcutellate  anteriorly. 

Tail  of  ten  feathers;  neck  short;  body  much  compressed;  head  smooth;  tlie 

occipital  feathers  somewhat  lengthened;  the  lower  neck  bare  of  feathers  behind;  no 

plumes;  plumage  compact,  lustrous;  unifonn  above;  sexes  differently  colored. 

ARDETTA  ZXILIS.  —  Gray. 

The  Least  Bittern. 

Ardea  exilis,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat,  L  (1788)  648.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VIIL  (1814< 
87.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IIL  (1835)  77;  ■V.(1839)  606. 
Ardea  {ardcola)  emits,  Nuttall.    Man.,  IL  (1834)  66. 
Ardelta  exilis,  Gray.    Gen.  (1842). 

Description. 

Head  above  and  the  back  dark  glossy  green;  upper  part  of  neck,  shoulders 
greater  coverts,  and  outer  webs  of  some  tertials,  purplish-cinnamon;  a  brownisli 
yellow  scapular  stripe.  Female  with  the  green  of  head  and  back  replaced  by 
purplish-chestnut;  iris  yellow. 

Length,  thirteen  inches;  wing,  four  and  seventy-flvc  one-hundredtha ;  tarsus, 
one  and  sixty  one-hundredths ;  bill,  above,  one  and  seventy-live  one-hundredths 
inches. 

This,  the  smallest  of  our  Ardeidae,  is  a  rare  summer 
inhabitant  of  New  England.  It  is  only  seen  in  pairs  or 
solitary  individuals,  and,  unlike  most  of  our  birds  in  this 
family,  seems  persistently  solitary  in  its  habits.  I  have 
never  met  with  an  Individual  alive,  and  will  give  a  short 
extract  from  the  description  by  Audubon  of  its  habits.  Ho 
says,  "  Although  the  Least  Bittern  is  not  unfrequentiy 
started  in  salt  marshes,  it  gives  a  decided  preference  to 
the  borders  of  ponds,  lakes,  or  bayous  of  fresh  water ;  and 
it  is  in  secluded  situations  of  this  kind  that  it  usually  forms 
its  nest.    This  is  sometimes  placed  on  the  ground,  amid  tho 


402 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOOY. 


'«■«-■ 


rankest  grasses,  but  more  frequently  it  is  attached  to  tlio 
stems  several  inches  above  it.  It  is  flat,  and  composed  of 
dried  or  rotten  weeds.  In  two  instances,  I  found  the  nests 
of  the  Least  Bittern  about  three  feet  above  the  ground,  in  a 
thick  chister  of  smilax  and  other  briery  plants.  In  tlie 
first,  two  nests  were  placed  in  the  same  bush,  within  a  few 
yards  of  each  other.  In  the  other  instance,  there  was  only 
one  nest  of  this  bird,  but  several  of  the  Boat-tailed  Graklo, 
and  one  of  the  Green  Heron,  the  occupants  of  all  of  which 
seemed  to  be  on  friendly  terms.  .When  startled  from  tlie 
nest,  the  old  birds  emit  a  few  notes  resembling  the  syllable 
qml,  alight  a  few  yards  off,  and  watch  all  your  movements. 
If  you  go  towards  them,  yoii  may  sometimes  take  the  female 
with  the  hand,  but  rarely  the  male,  who  generally  flies  olT, 
or  makes  his  way  through  the  woods. 

"  The  food  of  this  bird  consists  of  snails,  slugs,  tadpoles 
or  young  frogs,  raid  water  lizards.  In  several  instances, 
however,  I  have  found  small  shrews  and  field-mice  in  their 
stomach.  Although  more  nocturnal  than  diurnal,  it  moves 
a  good  deal  about  by  day  in  search  of  food.  The  flight  of 
this  bird  is  apparently  weak  by  day ;  for  then  it  seldom  re- 
moves to  a  greater  distance  than  a  hundred  yards  at  a  time, 
and  this,  too,  only  when  frightened  in  a  moderate  degree, 
for,  if  much  alarmed,  it  falls  again  among  the  grass,  in  the 
manner  of  the  Rail :  but  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening  and 
morning,  I  have  seen  it  passing  steadily  along,  at  the  height 
of  fifty  yards  or  more,  with  the  neck  retracted,  and  the  legs 
stretched  out  behind  in  the  manner  of  the  larger  Herons." 

The  eggs  of  this  specie  are  usually  four  in  number: 
they  are  nearly  oval  in  form,  and  are  of  the  size,  and  almost 
exactly  the  form,  of  eggs  of  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  ex- 
cept with  regard  to  color ;  the  present  species  being  con- 
siderably paler.  It  lias  been  found  to  breed  in  all  the 
New-England  States,  but  seems  to  be  more  of  a  southern 
species,  and  it  is  not  abundant  anywhere  north  of  the 
southern  portions  of  the  Middle  States. 


THE  BITTERN. 


4(t;j 


BOTAURUS,  Stemikss. 

Zool,  XI.  (1819)  592. 


(Type  Ardea  stti 


Botaurui,  Stephe.ns,  Shaw's  Gen. 
I(iri>,  I>.^ 

Bill  moderate,  scarcely  longer  than  the  head;  bill  outline.s  pently  convex,  gonys 
asccMidiiig;  tarsi  very  short,  less  than  the  middle  toe;  broadly  scutellafe  ;  inner 
lateral  too  much  longest ;  claws  all  very  long,  acute,  and  nearly  straight. 

Tail  of  ten  feathers;  no  peculiar  crest;  plumage  loose,  opaque,  streaked;  sexes 
similar. 


BOTAUBUS  LEKTIOnrOSnS.  —  Stephen,. 
The  Bittern ;  Stake-driver. 

Botaurtu  lentiginonu,  Stephens.     Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XI.  (1819)  G96. 

Ardea  [botaurvt)  lentiginota,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  60. 

Ardea  minor,  Wilson.  Am.  Om.,  VIII.  (1814)  35.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1888) 
290. 

Dksckiption. 

Brownish-yellow,  finely  mottled  and  varied  with  dark-brown  and  brownish-red ;  ■ 
iiroad  black  stripe  on  each  side  the  neck,  starting  behind  the  ear;  iris  golden  yellow. 

Length,  twenty-six  and  fifty  une-hundredths  inches;  wing,  eleven;  tarsus,  three 
and  sixty  one-hundredths  inches;  bill,  above,  two  and  seventy-five  one  hundredths 
inches. 

Hob. — Entire  continent  of  Xorrh  America. 

Perhaps  hone  of  our  Herons  are  more  generally  known 
than  this  species  ;  for  it  is  common  in  all  New  England  as  a 
summer  resident,  and  in  some  localities,  particularly  the 
northern,  is  quite  abundant.  It  arrives  from  the  South 
from  about  the  last  week  in  March  to  the  10th  of  April, 
according  to  latitude,  and  remains  in  the  meadows,  where  it 
makes  its  hone  until  the  middle  of  October.  It  seems  to 
he  more  diurnal  in  its  habits  than  most  of  our  other  Herons, 
and  seems  always  employed  in  the  pursuit  of  fishes,  frogs, 
and  other  reptiles  and  insects,  of  which  its  food  consists. 

The  nests  trie  pUiced  on  low  hnshes,  or  thick  tufts  of 
grass,  sometimes  in  low  trees,  and  are  compo.sed  of  coarse 
grasses,  twigs,  and  a  few  leaves.  I  know'  of  no  other  place 
in  New  England  where  these  birds  breed  in  such  abun- 
ilaiice  as  in  the  neighborliood  of  the  Rangeley  Lakes,  in 
Maine.     There,  in  some  of  tlie  tangled,  boggy,  almost  im- 


1 » 

:'  i 


404 


ORNITHOLOGY  AXD  OOLOP.Y. 


•■-'..t 


"**: 

^ 


pcnotraMe  swatnp.s  thepc  birds  have  gcveral  liaunts,  wliicli 
they  have  inhabited  f»jr  years.  When  tlieir  nests  are  ap- 
proaclied,  the  birds  rise  with  a  frnttural  note,  like  tlie  sylla- 
ble fjutU\  ami  alight  in  some  tall  tree,  from  which  they 
silently  watch  the  intruder. 

The  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number.  Their  form  is 
generally  ovoidal,  and  their  color  a  rich  drab,  with  some- 
times  an  olive  tinge.  I  know  of  no  species  that  exhibits  so 
little  variation  in  the  size  of  its  eggs  as  this;  for  in  a  largo 
number  of  specimens  in  my  collection  from  half  a  dozen 
different  States,  east  and  west,  the  only  variety  of  dimen- 
sions is  from  1.92  by  1.50  inch  to  1.88  by  1.48  inch. 

In  the  mating  season,  and  during  the  first  part  of  the 
period  of  incubation,  the  male  has  a  peculiar  love-note,  that 
almost  exactly  reseml)lcs  the  stroke  of  a  mallet  on  a  stake ; 
something  like  the  syllables  'chmk-a-lunk-chunk,  quank- 
chunk-a-lunk-chunk.  I  have  often,  when  in  the  forests  of 
Northern  Maine,  been  deceived  by  this  note  into  believing 
that  some  woodman  or  settler  was  in  my  neighborhood, 
and  discovered  my  mistake  only  after  toiling  through  swamp 
and  morass  for  perhaps  half  a  mile.  But  one  brood  is 
reared  in  the  season  by  this  bird  in  New  England ;  and,  by 
the  first  week  in  August,  the  young  are  able  to  shift  for 
themselves. 

BUTORIDES,  Blyth. 

Butnridct,  Bltth  (1849),  Horsf.    (Type  Ardea  Javanica.) 

Bill  acute,  rather  longer  than  the  head,  gently  curved  from  the  base  abo7«; 
gonys  slightly  ascending;  legs  ver}'  short;  tarsi  scarcely  longer  than  the  middle 
too;  broadly  scutellate  anteriorly;  lateral  toes  nearly  equal;  head  with  elongated 
feathers  above  and  behind;  these  are  well  defined,  lanceolate,  as  are  the  inter- 
Bcnpulars  and  scapulars;  the  latter  not  exceeding  the  tertials;  neck  short;  baie 
behind  inferiorly;  tibia  feathered  nearly  throughout;  tail  of  twelve  feathers. 


BUTOBIBES  VIRESCENS.  —  Bonaparte. 

The  Green  Heron;   Fly-np-the-Creek. 

Ardea  virescent,  Linnaeus.    Syat.  Nat.,  L  (1766)  288.     Wils.  Am.  Cm.,  VII. 
:1813)  97.    Aud.  Cm.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  274. 

Ardea  {botaurus)  virescens,    Nutt.,  II.  (1834)  63. 
Bulorides  virescent,  Bonaparte.    Consp.  At.,  II.  (1855)  128. 


V-Tf* 


\  haunts,  wl\ifl» 
oh-  nests  are  ap- 
e,  like  the  syUa- 
rom  which  they 

Their  form  is 
drab,  with  some 
s  that  exhibits  so 
lis ;  for  in  a  largo 
rom  half  a  dozen 
variety  of  dimen- 

1.48  inch. 
3  first  part  of  the 
liar  love-note,  that 
mallet  on  a  stake ; 
lunk-chmk,  quank- 
I  in  the  forests  of 
note  into  believing 

my  neighborhood, 
ling  through  swamp 

But  one  brood  is 
^  England ;  and,  by 
xe  able  to  shift  for 


lanica.) 

urved  from  the  base  abo»«-, 

-ely  longer  than  the  m.ddle 
'equal-,  head  with  elongated 
lanceolate,  as  are  the  inter- 
,e  tertials;  neck  short,  b.ie 
tail  of  twelve  feathers. 

maparte, 
Creek. 
288.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VH. 


855)  128. 


••*»<*..- 


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l 


'-^■* 


m 


.,i/«S*^' 


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.''W 


l^-S 


■.**■' 


A.'  ,v 


.»■.•''. 


^ 


>^ 


V 


I 


^ 


!  f 


^^^ 


'•■J.: ' 


■'•'\ 


i      *■ 


Ijt^K 


?! 


THE   QREEN    HEBON. 


4U5 


Dmcriftion. 

"  The  Green  Bittern  ia  eighteen  inchca  long,  and  twenty-flve  inchfii  in  pxtent 
hill  black,  lighter  below,  and  yellow  at  the  baxe;  chin,  and  narrow  streak  down  Ilia 
lliroat,  yellowish-white;  neck  dark  vinaceoun-red;  back  covered  with  very  lont;, 
tapering,  pointed  fenthem,  of  a  houry  green,  itlial^ed  with  wliite,  on  a  durk-jrrecn 
^^roun'^;  the  hind  part  of  the  neck  ia  destitute  of  plumage,  that  It  may  hr  tliu  niiire 
conveniently  drawn  in  over  the  breast,  hut  ia  covered  with  the  lonj;  feuthem  of  the 
throat  and  sides  of  the  neck  that  enclose  it  behind;  wings  and  tail  dark  glossy 
giecn,  tipped  and  bordered  with  yellowish-white;  logs  and  feet  yellow,  tinged  before 
\vith  green,  the  akin  of  these  thick  and  movable;  beliy  ashy-bruwn;  iridea  bri^'ht- 
orange. 

"  The  created  head  very  dark  glossy  green.  The  female,  as  I  have  piirticiilarly 
observed  in  numerous  instances,  dilfers  in  notliing,  as  to  color,  trom  the  male; 
neither  of  tbem  receive  tlie  long  feathers  on  the  back  during  the  tint  season."-- 
Wilson. 

The  above  description  of  this  beautiful  bird  is  so  compre- 
hensive and  accurate,  that  I  cannot  do  better  than  to  pre- 
sent it  in  this  volume ;  and  the  account  of  this  bird's  liabits, 
by  the  same  author,  is  so  interesting  and  full,  that,  being 
unable  to  add  to  it  any  thing  of  value,  I  give  it  as  below :  — 

"  The  Green  Bittern  makes  its  first  appearance  in  Pennsylvania 
early  in  April,  soon  after  the  marshes  are  com()leteIy  thawed. 
There,  among  the  stagnant  ditches  with  which  they  are  intersected, 
and  amidst  the  bogs  and  quagmires,  he  hunts  with  great  cunning 
and  dexterity.  Frogs  and  small  fish  are  his  principal  game,  whose 
caution  and  facility  of  escape  require  nice  address  and  rapidity  of 
attack.  When  on  the  lookout  for  small  fish,  he  stands  in  the  water, 
by  the  side  of  the  ditch,  silent  and  motionless  as  a  statute ;  his 
neck  drawn  in  over  his  breast,  ready  for  action.  The  instant  a  fry 
or  minnow  comes  within  the  range  of  his  bill,  by  a  stroke,  quick 
and  sure  as  that  of  the  rattlesnake,  he  seizes  his  prey,  and  swallows 
it  in  an  instant  He  searches  for  small  crabs,  and  for  the  various 
worms  and  larvae,  particularly  those  of  the  dragon-fly,  which  lurk 
in  the  mud,  with  equal  adroitness.  But  the  cipturing  of  frogs 
requires  much  nicer  management.  These  wary  reptiles  shrink  into 
the  mire,  on  the  least  alarm,  and  do  not  raise  up  their  heads  again 
to  the  surface  without  the  most  cautious  circumspection.  The  Bit- 
tern, fixing  his  penetrating  eye  on  the  spot  where  they  disappeared, 
approaches  with  slow,  stealing  step,  laying  his  feet  so  gently  and 
silently  on  the  ground  as  not  to  be  heard  or  felt ;  and,  when  arrived 
witliin  reach,  stands  fixed,  and  bending  forwards,  until  the  first 


4i)<'> 


OBNITHOLOC.Y    AND   OOLOGY. 


|:i:i 


;J5y 


.:%• 


glimpse  of  tho  frog's  bond  nmkcH  its  appeuruncc,  wlit-n,  with  a 
struiiu  iiiHtuiitancuus  uh  liglitniiig,  ho  seizes  it  in  his  bill,  buuts  it  to 
duuth.  uiid  feiists  on  it  at  his  luisure. 

"  When  aliirincd,  the  Green  Bittern  rises  with  a  hollow,  guttural 
gcreiiui ;  does  not  fly  fur,  hut  usuiilly  alights  on  some  old  stump, 
tree,  or  fence  iidjoiiiin>;,  and  looks  about  with  extended  neek ; 
though,  soniotinu'!^,  this  is  drawn  in  so  that  his  bend  seems  to  rest 
on  his  breast.  As  he  walks  along  the  fence,  or  stands  gazing  at 
you  with  outstretehed  neck,  he  has  the  frequent  habit  of  jetting  the 
tail.  lie  sometimes  flies  high,  with  doubled  neck,  and  legs 
extended  behind,  flapping  the  wings  smartly,  and  travelling  with 
great  exjiedition.  lie  is  the  least  shy  of  all  our  Herons,  and 
perhaps  the  most  numerous  and  generally  dispei'sed  ;  being  found  far 
in  tho  interior,  as  well  as  Jilong  our  salt  marshes,  and  everywhere 
about  the  muddy  shores  of  our  mill-ponds,  creeks,  jvud  large  rivers. 

"  The  Green  Bittern  begins  to  build  about  the  20th  of  April : 
sometimes  in  single  pairs,  in  swampy  woods ;  often  in  companies ; 
and  not  unfrcquently  in  a  kind  of  association  with  the  Qua-birds, 
or  Night  Herons.  The  nest  is  fixed  among  the  branches  of  the 
trees ;  is  constructed  wholly  of  small  sticks,  lined  with  finer  twigs ; 
and  is  of  considerable  size,  though  loosely  put  together.  The  female 
lays  four  eggs,  of  the  common  oblong  form,  and  of  a  pale  light-blue 
color.  The  young  do  not  leave  the  nest  until  able  to  fly ;  and,  for 
the  first  season  at  least,  are  destitute  of  the  long-pointed  plumage 
on  the  back :  the  lower  parts  are  also  lighter,  and  the  white  on 
the  throat  broader.  During  the  whole  summer,  and  until  late  in 
autumn,  these  birds  are  seen  in  our  meadows  and  marshes,  but 
never  remain  during  winter  in  any  part  of  the  United  States." 

A  large  number  of  this  bird's  eggs,  lying  before  me, 
exhibit  a  variation  of  only  from  1.56  by  1.20  inch  to  1.49 
by  1.15  inch  in  dimensions.  But  one  brood  is  reared  in 
the  season ;  and,  by  the  20th  of  September,  the  old  and 
young  leave  New  England  for  the  South. 


•   NYCTIARDEA,  Swainson. 

Nyctiardea,  Swainson,  Class.  Birds,  II.  (1837)  354.    (Type  Ardea  nycHcora*i 
Linn.) 

\ycticorax,  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XL  (1819)  608.    Same  type. 


i 

i 

li 

11 

THK   NIUIIT    IIKItON. 


I" 


Bill  very  (tout;  culiuoii  curved  fWim  >)aa(';  tlic  Ihwlt  uullino  iitraiglit,  ur  .t  littlo 
concave;  cml  ul' upper  iiiaiulibltf  Ki^iitly  ilccurvol;  tnr:<i  eliort,  t'lpinl  to  tlit-  iiiiililU 
toe;  tlie  scaluR  inure  than  unuully  liexaKuiiul  inlVriurly;  outer  luterHl  tuu  r:itlivr 
lun^'er;  no  iinuxml  (levelopiiieiit  ol'  I'tuthcrK,  excipliiiK  a  lon^,  atritiKlit  o<ripital 
])luine  of  tlirt'c  li'iitlie'ii,  rolU-d  loj^etlicr;  lieik  uliort,  uioderutely  t'eallu'reil  lieliinil 

Tlio  Ni^'lit  Herons,  v  ,li  u  lertaiii  rfsemlilaiiie  to  the  Itittern,  dilVer  in  the  mii.h 
Kiciiiler  anil  more  curved  bill,  the  lower  ed^e  of  which  is  ntrainht,  instead  of  niiun  at 
llie  end;  the  tarsuH  ii)  eipial  to  the  middle  toe,  not  Hhorter,  and  ii*  covered  antcriiirly 
below  by  iiuiull  hexa){onal  Hcalesi,  instead  of  lur^^e  trunaverxo  iicutella>;  '.he  clawi 
(re  much  bhorter  and  more  curved;  the  tail  has  twelve  feather*  instead  of  ten. 


STCTIARSEA  QkROKVl- li.iinl. 

The  Night  Heron ;  Qua-bird. 

Ardea  tiycticornx,  Wilaou.  Am.  Dm.,  VII.  (1813)  101.  Aud.  Orn.  DIog.,  III. 
(1885)276;  V.  600. 

Ardna  {botaunu)  diicon,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  ( 1834)  64. 

DKSCKirrioN. 

Head  above  ond  middle  of  back  steel-fjroen ;  wings  and  tail  asliy-bluc;  under 
part8,  forehead,  and  long  occipital  feathers  white;  iiide.i  tinged  with  lilac. 

Bill  very  thick  at  the  base,  and  tapering  all  the  way  to  the  tip.  Culmen  nearly 
straight  for  half  its  length,  then  considerably  curved;  lower  outline  of  bill  nearly 
straight;  gonys  proper  slightly  concave;  legs  short,  but  btout;  the  tarsu.s  cijual  to 
the  middle  toe;  covcrec)  throughout  with  hexagonal  scales,  the  antericr  Lirgcst,  but 
tliu.sc  on  tlie  up|)cr  portion  much  larger,  and  going  entirely  across;  tibia  bare  for 
about  one-flrth;  lateral  toes  nearly  equal;  the  outer  rather  longest;  claws  sniali; 
considerably  curved;  tail  short,  of  twelve  broad,  rather  stiff  feathers. 

Head  with  the  occipital  feathers  elongated,  and  with  two  or  three  very  long, 
straight  feathers  (as  long  as  the  bill  and  head)  springing  from  the  occiput.  These 
are  rolled  up  so  ns  to  appear  like  a  single  cylindrical  feather;  back  of  the  neck 
covered  witli  down,  but  not  provided  with  long  feathers;  interscapular  feathers  and 
scapulars  elongated  and  lanceolate,  the  webs  scarcely  decomposed. 

The  upper  part  of  the  head,  including  the  upper  eyelids,  the  occipital  crest,  and 
the  interscapular  region  and  scapulars,  dark  lustrous  steel-green;  the  wings  and  tail 
are  ashy-blue;  the  under  parts,  the  forehead,  and  the  long  occipital  feathers,  are 
white,  passing  into  pale  ashy-lilac  on  the  sides  and  on  the  neck  above;  this  color,  in 
fact,  tingcing  nearly  the  whole  under  parts.  The  region  along  the  base  of  the  bill, 
however,  is  nearly  pure,  as  are  the  tibia.  The  bill  is  black;  the  loral  space  green; 
the  iris  red;  the  feet  yellow;  the  claws  brown. 

Length,  about  twenty-five  inches;  wing,  twelve  and  fifty  one-hundredths;  tai- 
Bus,  three  and  fifteen  one-hundredtlis;  bill,  above,  three  and  ten  one-hundredths 
inches. 

Ilid),  —  United  States  generally. 

The  Night  Horou  is  pretty  generally  distributed  through- 
out New  England  as  a  summer  resident.  It  seems  to  pre- 
fer the  neighborhood  of  the  scacoast,  but  is  found  in  many 


if: 


408 


OIINITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


^'i' 


HuutioiiH  quite  aliiiii(luiit  in  tiiti  iiitoriiir  ;  uh,  for  iiiHtaiico,  Dr. 
Wood  siiy.s,  '•  I  know  ol'  a  Hwuiup  Homo  foiirtooii  luilcH  iVoiu 
lioro  (Kartt  Wiud.sor  Hill,  Cuiiii.)  whcro  thounanJti  broed."  — 
"  I  liiivo  cotiiitod  eight  iiOHtH  on  oiio  luaplo-treo,"  «Vc.  TiiiH 
H|)ucimi  iri  most  coiiunonly  found  during  the  dii\  linio  porch- 
ing  in  high  truus  in  Hvv°uiup.s  and  thick  woods,  and  huuiuh  tu 
loud  almost  entirely  hy  nigiit.  As  soon  as  it  l)ogins  to  grow 
dark,  it  begins  its  flight ;  and  if  we  stand  in  a  large  meadow, 
or  by  a  pond  or  other  shoot  of  water,  wo  may  sometimes 
liear  tho  notes  of  several,  as  they  are  engaged  in  their 
Boarch  for  pniv.  Tho  call  of  this  bird  resembles  the  sylla- 
ble quack,  which  gives  the  bird  tho  name  of  Stputwk  in 
many  localities.  Tho  nest  of  this  species  is  placed  in  a  fork 
of  a  tree  in  a  swamp :  it  is  constructed  of  coarse  twigs  and 
leaves,  and  is  very  loosely  put  together.  As  above  remarked, 
several  of  these  structures  may  bo  found  on  one  tree ;  and, 
after  tho  young  are  hatched,  their  noise,  as  they  scream  for 
food,  is  almost  deafening.  I  once  visited  a  horonry  of  this 
species  in  Dcdham,  Mass.  As  many  as  a  hundred  pairs 
wore  breeding  in  tho  area  of  an  acre ;  and,  as  Wilson  truly 
says,  "Tho  noiso  of  tho  old  and  young  would  almost  induce 
Olio  to  suppose  that  two  or  three  hundred  Indians  were 
choking  or  throttling  each  other." 

Another  larger  heronry  that  I  visited  last  season  in 
company  with  my  friends,  F.  G.  Sanborn  and  H.  A.  Purdie, 
occupied  an  area  of  several  acres.  Tho  locality  was  a 
swamp,  in  which  were  growing  cedar-trees.  These  were 
rarely  over  thirty  foot  in  height ;  but  their  dense  and  twin- 
ing branches  wore  occupied  often  by  tho  nests  of  two  or 
three  pairs  in  a  single  tree.  The  reader  may  judge  as  to  the 
multitude  of  parent-birds  that  wore  flying  in  wild  confusion 
over  our  heads,  and  may  fancy  the  effect  of  all  their  guttural 
cries.  We  ascended  to  a  number  of  tho  nests,  and  found 
them  occupied  by  eggs,  both  freshly  laid  and  others,  far 
advanced  in  incubation,  and  chicks  from  one  day  old  to 
some  half  grown.     As  the  work  of  ascending  to  the  filthy 


TUB  NIOHT  HERON. 


•iK!) 


r  iiiHtiUioo,  Dr. 
sell  niilca  from 
,id»  l)iceii."  — 
JO,"  <Vc.    This 
inyiimo  porch- 
,  and  HCOiua  to 
ln-^iiiH  to  grow 
,  \a.v\i^i  moadow, 
may  soiuothues 
igagod  iu  their 
ubles  the  Hylla- 
>  of  Squawk  iu 
placed  in  a  fork 
uoarso  twigs  and 
above  remarked, 
11  one  tree  ;  and, 
they  scream  for 
a,  licronry  of  Uiis 
a  hundred  pairs 
,  as  Wilson  truly 
lid  almost  induce 
rod  Indians  were 

last  season  in 
lud  H.  A.  Purdie, 
10  locality  was  a 
•CCS.     These  were 
douse  and  twin- 
Q  nests  of  two  or 
lay  judge  as  to  the 
ill  wild  confusion 
f  all  tlicir  guttural 
nests,  and  found 
id  and  others,  far 
m  one  day  old  to 
iiding  to  the  filthy 


iicsts  wuH  not  of  the  plousantost,  wo  limited  our  ii.vostigii- 
tions  to  the  securing  of  u  few  of  the  most  recently  liiii! 

L'ggH. 

The  eggs  of  the  Night  Heron  are  laiil  about  the  20ih  of 
May.  They  are  UHually  four  in  numbL'i-,  and  thciir  genoral 
form  is  an  elongated  ovoidul.  In  a  groat  numlior  of  spoci- 
nions,  the  coh)r  is  generally  bluisli-grcon,  sometimes  a  light 
pea-groou  or  greenish-yollow.  Their  dimensions  vary  from 
li.li")  by  IM  inch  to  12.0;")  by  1.40  inch.  Aliout  the  latter 
part  of  August,  the  young  birds  aro  found  in  det'j)  woods, 
and  l»y  many  aro  csloomed  as  excollont  eating,  as  tlioy  aro 
plump  and  fat.     They  loavo  for  tho  Soutli  early  in  October. 

Mr.  William  Eudic  tt,  who  visited  tho  same  heronry,  givea 
the  following  descriplion  of  it :  '•  Tiio  first  thing  which 
called  the  attention  of  the  explorer  was  the  whiteness  of 
the  ground,  owing  to  the  excrements  of  the  l»irds  ;  the  air 
hot  and  close  was  loaded  with  its  keen,  penetrating  odor; 
the  fine  particles  of  it,  floating  in  the  air  and  comuig  in  con- 
tact with  tho  perspiring  body,  made  one  smart  all  over. 
T.^ore  was  also  a  smell  of  tho  decaying  iish  which  lay 
around  ;  some  dropped  by  accident  by  the  old  birds  (who, 
1  believe,  never  stoop  to  pick  them  up  again),  and  much 
more  disgorged  when  their  tree  was  assailed.  These  fish 
were  mostly  such  as  could  not  be  obtained  in  the  jjonds  and 
rivers.  I  onco  saw  a  piece  of  a  pout,  and  once  a  fragment 
of  a  pickerel,  but  most  of  the  remains  were  those  of  herrings. 
The  light-green  eggs  were  usually  four  in  numljcr ;  but  I 
have  seen  five  and  six  repeatedly,  and  once  seven,  in  a  nest. 
The  young  are  downy,  soft,  helpless  things  at  first,  but  soon 
gain  strength  enough  to  climb  to  the  upper  branches,  where 
they  hang  on  with  bill  and  claws,  and  are  led  by  their 
parents  till  nearly  fuU-growu." 


^  'd  «!il£Z,'^Sif;u'-v.tir-^  y^ 


m 


410 


OBNITHOLOOY  AND  OOLOGY. 


SUB-ORDER  GRALLiE.    Waders. 

Feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  extending  over  the  entire  cheeks  to  the  bill ;  bill, 
when  much  longer  than  head,  ^lender  at  the  base;  sometimes  thick  and  shorter  than 
■h,  head;  young  running  about  and  feeding  themselves  as  soon  as  hatched. 

The  preceding  characteristics  indicate,  in  a  jeueral  way,  the  rliaructeristica  of 
the  Grallm  as  distinguislied  from  the  Uerodiones:  they  are  usually  much  smaller 
birds,  and  more  especially  inhabitants  of  the  open  sandy  shore.  Few  or  none  of  the 
■pecies  nest  on  trees  or  bushes,  tl>e  eggs  being  generally  laid  in  a  cavity  scoopeo 
out  in  the  sand. 

The  sub-order  is  divided  by  Bonaparte  into  two  tribes,  Curiores  and  Aleclorukt 
(by  Burmeister  into  Limicola  and  Paludicoke" :  the  first  having  the  hind  toe  elevated, 
small,  or  wantin;^';  the  second  having  it  lengthened,  and  inserted  on  a  level  with  the 
rest.     Additional  characters  are  as  follows:  — 

L1MICOL.1S.  —  Species  living  on  the  shore,  and  generally  probing  the  ground  or 
mud  in  search  of  food;  bill  and  legs  generally  lengthened  and  slender;  bill  hard  at 
tip,  sorter  and  more  contracted  at  base;  anterior  toes  connected  at  base  more  or  less 
by  membranes,  and  with  very  short  claws;  hir.d  toe  very  short,  elevated,  or  wanting; 
wings  long,  pointed ;  outer  primaries  longest,  and  reaching  to  or  beyond  the  tip  of 
tail,  which  is  stitf. 

Paludicol.k.  —  Species  living  in  marshy  places  among  the  grass,  feeding  from 
the  surface  of  the  ground;  bill  hard  to  its  base,  where  it  is  not  contracted;  toes  clert 
to  the  base,  lengthened,  with  very  long  claws;  hind  toe  lengthened,  and  on  same 
level  with  tiie  rest;  wing  short,  rounded,  not  reaching  the  tip  of  the  sort  tail;  outer 
primaries  graduated. 

Tribe  L1MIGOL.S. 

Birds  living  on  the  shore  or  in  open  places,  usually  small  species,  with  rounded 
or  depressed  bodies,  and  slend<^r  bills  of  variable  length,  having  a  more  or  less  dis- 
tinct horny  terminal  portion,  ihe  remainder  covered  with  soft  skin,  in  which  are 
situated  the  elongated,  narrow,  open,  and  disti  nostrils ;  the  feathers  of  the  head 
are  small,  and  extend  compactly  to  the  base  of  the  bill;  they  are  similar  in  character 
to  those  of  the  neck  and  body;  the  wings  are  long,  acute,  and,  when  folded,  reach- 
ing to  or  beyond  the  tip  of  the  tail ;  the  posterior  or  inner  secondaries  are  generally 
as  long  as  the  outer  primaries;  the  primaries  are  ten  in  number;  the  three  outer 
longest  and  about  equal;  ihe  tail  is  stiiT,  short,  broad,  and  rounded  or  graduated; 
the  feathers  usually  twelve,  sometimes  more ;  the  legs  are  slender  and  delicate,  but 
corresponding  with  the  bill  in  proportions;  a  large  portion  of  the  tibia  below  is  bare 
01' featliers ;  the  covering  of  the  legs  is  parchment-like,  not  horny,  generally  divided 
anteriorly  and  behind  -'nto  small  half  rings,  laterally  more  in  hexagons ;  the  claws 
are  delicate,  sharp,  and  gently  curved;  the  hind  toe  is  very  small,  scarcely  touching 
the  giound;  sometimes  wanting;  there  is  ujually  lexcept  in  Calidris,  Tnnt/a,  Sec] 
a  rather  broad  basal  membrane  between  the  outer  and  middle  toes,  sotnetinies 
between  the  inner  and  middle;  this  web  occasionally  extends  toward  the  ends  of  the 

toes.  —  BUHMEISTEU.l 

1  See  Introduction. 


THE  GOLDEN  PLOVER. 


•n 


Family  CHARADRID^.    The  Plovers. 

Bill  rather  cylindriial,  as  lon^  as  the  head,  or  shorter;  the  culmeii  imu  li  iiulented 
opposite  the  nostrils,  the  vaulted  apex  more  or  less  swollen  and  rising,',  (iiiito  distiiiot 
Iroui  the  membranous  portion;  legs  elevated;  hind  toe  raiuly  present,  and  llien  rudi- 
mentary; the  outer  and  middle  toes  more  or  less  united  by  membrane. 


CUAUADlilUS,  LiNN^wus. 

Charadrius,  Lixn.kus,  Syst.  Nat.  (1735). 

I'lumage  ycllowish-{rray,  spotted;  tail  transversely  banded ;  no  collar  on  necki 
tatsi  and  lower  thighs  uniformly  reticulated. 


CHARADBinS  Yl'kGimGJJS.  —  Boicktiuseti. 

The  Golden  Plover;  Bull-head. 

Charadvittt pluvialU,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  VII.  (1813)  71,  Nutt.  Man  ,  IL  (1834)  18. 
Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  KI.  (1835)  623. 

Charadrius  Virginicus, "  IJorckausen  and  Beehstein."    Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  (1823). 
Charadrius  marnwratus,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  V.  (1839)  575. 

Descriition. 

Bill  rather  short;  legs  moderate;  wings  long;  no  hind  toe;  tarsus  covered  before 
and  behind  with  uniall  tireular  or  hexagonal  sciiles;  upper  parts  brownish-black, 
with  numerous  snmll  circular  and  irregular  spots  of  golden-yellow,  most  immerous 
on  the  back  and  runi]),  and  on  the  upper  tail  coverts,  assuming  tlie  form  of  trans- 
verse l>ands  generally;  also  with  some  spots  of  ashy-white;  entire  under  parts 
black,  with  a  brownish  or  bronzed  lustre,  under  tail  coverts  mixed  or  barred  with 
wliite;  forehead,  border  of  the  black  of  the  neck,  under  tail  coverts,  and  tibiie,  white; 
axillary  feathers  cinereous;  quills,  dark-brown;  middle  portion  of  the  shat^s  wliite, 
Irociuently  extending  slightly  to  the  webs,  and  forming  longitudinal  stripes  on  the 
sliorter  quills;  tail  dark-brown,  with  numerous  irregular  bands  of  ashy-white,  and 
freque.itly  tinged  with  golden-yellow;   bill  black;  legs  dark  bluish-brown. 

Yuunyer.  —  Under  parts  dull-ashy,  8|iotted  with  brownish  on  the  neck  aud 
breast,  frequently  more  or  less  mixed  with  black ;  many  spots  of  the  upper  parta 
dull  ashy-white;  other  spots,  especially  on  the  rump,  golden-yellow. 

Total  length,  about  nine  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  seven  inches;  tail,  two  and  a 
half  inches. 

llab.  — All  of  North  America,  South  America,  Northern  Asia,  Europe. 

THIS  beautiful  aud  well-kuowu  bird  pas.ses  through  New 
England  in  tlie  spring  aud  fall  migrations,  but  does  not 
pause  here,  in  cither,  longer  than  two  or  three  days.  It 
arrives  from  the  South  about  the  25th  of  April  or  1st  of 
May,  in  small  flocks  of  fifteen  or  twenty,  and  frequents  the 


Ajag£Ea.aw3g)iag^a 


413 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


(■1 

fr„,: 


-■} 


boacli  on  the  seashore  and  marshes  in  its  neighborhood, 
where  it  feeds  on  small  shell-fish  and  animalcules,  and  such 
seeds  as  it  may  find  at  that  early  season.  It  is,  at  this 
period,  thin  in  flesh,  but  its  plumage  is  perfect ;  and  it  is 
nioi'e  desirable  for  cabinet  preservation  then  than  in  the 
fall.  It  is  irregular  in  its  visits  in  the  spring  migratii  ns ; 
being  quite  plenty  in  some  seasons,  and  in  others  quite  rare. 
It  passes  to  the  most  northern  portions  of  the  continent  to 
breed ;  none  being  found  in  the  season  of  incubation  in  the 
limits  of  the  United  States.  The  flocks  separate  into  pairs ; 
but  they  breed  in  small  communities,  two  or  three  pairs 
being  found  in  the  area  of  an  acre.  The  nest  is  nothing 
but  a  hollow  in  the  grass  or  mohs,  on  the  open  plain, 
scratched  by  the  female:  in  this  she  deposits  four  eggs, 
which  are  oblong- pyriform  in  shape,  of  a  cx'camy-buff  culoi', 
sometimes  with  an  olive  tint ;  and  are  marked  irregularly 
chiefly  at  their  larger  end,  with  spots  and  confluent  blotches 
of  umber  and  obscure  spots  of  lilac.  In  dimensions,  they 
average  about  2.10  by  1.40  inch.  It  is  in  the  fall  migra- 
tions that  these  birds  are  most  actively  pursued  by  sports- 
men. The  great  flight  arrives  about  the  2oth  of  August, 
sometimes  a  little  earlier  or  later,  if  we  have  a  driving 
north-east  storm.  The  gunners  make  it  a  point  to  be  on  the 
plover  grounds  the  last  week  in  August  and  first  week  in 
September :  if  they  get  no  plovers  then,  they  usually  aban- 
don the  hunt  for  the  season.  In  the  fall  of  1865,  these 
birds  did  not  alight  in  New  England  in  any  numbers,  but 
were  seen  seven  or  eight  miles  out  at  sea,  flying  at  a  great 
height,  in  immense  flocks,  towards  the  South,  and  not  a 
dozen  birds  were  killed  in  localities  where  thousands  are 
usually  taken.  When  the  flights  are  conducted  during  a 
storm,  the  birds  fly  low ;  and  the  gunners,  concealed  in  pits 
dug  in  the  earth  in  the  pastures  and  hills  over  which  thj 
flocks  pass,  Wiih  decoys  made  to  imitate  the  birds,  placed 
within  gunshot  of  their  hiding-places,  decoy  the  passhig 
flocks  down  within  reach  of  their  fowling-pieces,  by  imitat- 


THE   KILL-DEER  PLOVER. 


413 


iiig  tlicir  peculiar  whistle,  and  kill  great  numbers  of  them. 
I  have  known  two  sportsmen  to  bag  sixty  dozen  in  two  days' 
shooting;  and  instances  are  on  record  of  still  greater  num- 
bers being  secured.  The  flesh  of  this  bird  is  very  delicate 
and  fine-flavored ;  and  the  birds  are  in  great  demand  in  all 
our  markets,  bringing  equally  high  prices  with  the  favorite 
Woodcock.  The  Golden  Plover  feeds  on  grasshoppers, 
various  insects,  and  berries,  but  is  seldom  found  in  the  inte- 
rior of  New  England ;  the  pastures,  fields,  sandy  hills,  and 
dry  islands  near  the  seacoast,  being  its  favorite  resorts. 

iEGIALITIS,  BoiE. 

jEgialitis,  Boie,  Isia  (1822),  558.    (Tj-pe  Charadriiis  hiaticula,  L.) 
Plumage  more  or  less  uniform,  without  spots;  neck  and  head  gmcrally  with 
dark  bands;  front  of  the  legs  with  plates  arranged  vertically,  of  which  there  are 
two  or  three  in  a  transverse  series. 

This  genus,  as  far  as  North  America  is  concerned,  is  distinguished  from  Chara- 
l-ius  by  the  generally  lighter  color  and  greater  uniformity  of  the  plumage,  by  the 
absence  of  continuous  black  on  the  belly,  and  by  the  presence  of  dusky  bands  on 
the  neck  or  head;  the  size  is  smaller;  the  tarsi,  in  most  species,  have  the  front  plated 
larger,  and  conspicuously  different  in  this  respect  from  the  posterior  ones. 


iEOIALITIS  TOCIFEBUS.— Coastn. 
The  Kill-deer  Plover. 

Charadrius  vodferus,  Linnceus.  Syst.  Nat,  L  (1766)  253.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VII 
(1813)  73.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  22.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  191;  V.  577.  lb. 
Syn.,  222.    Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  207. 

^gialtes  voci/erus,  Bonaparte.    List  (1838). 

Description. 

Wings  long,  reaching  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  which  is  also  rather  long;  head  above 
and  upper  parts  of  body  light-brown  with  a  greenish  tinge ;  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts  rufous,  lighter  on  the  latter;  front  and  lines  over  and  under  the  eye  white; 
aiother  band  of  black  in  front  above  the  white  band;  stripe  from  the  base  of  the 
bill  towards  the  occiput  brownish-black;  ring  encircling  the  neck  and  wide  band  on 
the  breast  black;  throat  white,  which  color  extends  upwards  around  the  neck; 
other  Uiider  parts  white ;  quills  brownish-black  with  about  half  of  their  inner  webs 
white,  shorter  primaries  with  a  large  spot  of  white  on  their  outer  webs,  secondaries 
widely  tipped  or  edged  with  white;  tail  feathers  pale-rufous  at  base;  the  four  mid- 
dle light  olive-brown  tipped  with  white,  aud  with  a  wide  subterminal  band  of  black; 
lateral  feathers  widely  tipped  with  white;   entire  upper  plumage  frequently  edged 


'^ii^i^SS3SBk^n0v}rTr:  --7-'SxeMVB39 


414 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


:i 

"   -    ■  1 

<-'4 

1 

?'( 


i 

,  1 

■1 

'i 

■i 

^1 

ji 

4 

i 

■:i 

i 

and  tipped  with  rufous;  very  young  have  upper  parts  lighf-gray,  with  a  longitudinal 
band  on  the  head  and  back,  black;  under  parts  white. 

Total  length,  about  nine  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  six  and  a  half  inches;  tail, 
three  and  a  half  inches. 

/I((b.  —  North  America  to  the  Arctic  regions,  Mexico,  South  America. 

Tliis  species  is  pretty  generally  distributed  throughout 
New  England  as  a  summer  resiuent.  It  is  not  common  in 
any  localities,  but  seems  to  be  found  in  pairs  all  along  our 
scacoast;  and,  although  occasionally  breeding  in  the  inte- 
rior of  these  States,  in  the  neighborhood  of  large  tracts  of 
water,  it  is  almost  exclusively  found,  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  year,  in  moist  fields  and  meadows  and  sandy 
pastures,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  sea.  Wilson  describes 
its  habit-  as  follows  :  — 

"  This  restless  and  noisy  bird  is  known  to  almost  every  inhabi- 
tant of  the  United  States,  being  a  common  and  pretty  constant 
resident.  During  the  severity  of  the  winter,  when  snow  covers 
the  ground,  it  retreats  to  the  seashore,  where  it  is  found  at  al 
seasons ;  but  no  sooner  have  the  rivers  opened,  than  its  shrill 
note  is  again  heard,  either  roaming  about  high  in  air,  tracing  the 
shore  of  the  river,  or  running  amidst  the  watery  flats  and  meadows. 
As  spring  advances,  it  resorts  to  the  newly  ploughed  fields,  or  level 
plains  bare  of  grass,  interspersed  with  shallow  pools  ;  or,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  sea,  dry,  bare,  sandy  fields.  In  some  such  situation 
it  generally  chooses  to  breed,  about  the  beginning  of  May.  The 
nest  is  usually  slight,  a  mere  hollow,  with  such  materials  drawn  in 
around  it  as  happen  to  be  near,  such  as  bits  of  sticks,  straw,  peb- 
bles, or  earth.  In  one  instance,  I  found  the  nest  of  the  bird 
paved  with  fragments  of  clam  and  oyster  shells,  and  very  neatly 
surrounded  with  a  mound,  or  border,  of  the  same,  placed  in  a  very 
close  and  curious  manner.  In  some  cases,  there  is  no  vestige 
whatever  of  a  nest.  The  eggs  are  usually  four,  of  a  bright  ricli 
cream  or  yellowish-clay  color,  thickly  marked  with  blotches  of 
black.  They  are  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  measuring  more 
than  an  inch  and  a  half  in  length,  and  a  full  inch  in  width,  taper- 
ing to  a  narrow  point  at  the  great  end. 

"  Nothing  can  exceed  the  alarm  and   anxiety  of  these  birds 
during  the  breeding  season.     Their  cries  of  kill-deer,  kill-deer,  as 


THE   KILLrDf:F,R   PLOVER. 


4i: 


they  winnow  tlie  air  overhead,  dive  and  course  around  you,  or  run 
iilong  the  ground  counterfeiting  lameness,  are  shrill  and  incessant. 
The  moment  they  see  a  person  approach,  they  fly  or  run  to  attack 
him  with  their  harassing  clamor,  continuing  it  over  so  wide  an 
extent  of  ground,  that  they  puzzle  the  pursuer  as  to  the  particular 
spot  where  the  nest  or  young  are  concealed  ;  very  much  resem- 
liling,  in  this  respect,  the  Lapwing  of  Europe.  During  the  even- 
inir,  and  long  after  dusk,  particularly  in  moonlight,  their  cries  are 
f'tHMjuently  heard  with  equal  violence,  hotii  in  the  spring  and  fall. 
From  this  circumstance,  and  their  flying  about  both  after  dusk  and 
before  dawn,  it  appears  probable  that  they  see  better  at  such  times 
than  most  of  their  tribe.  They  are  known  to  feed  much  on  worms, 
and  many  of  these  rise  to  the  surface  during  the  night.  The 
prowling  of  Owls  may  also  alarm  their  fears  for  their  young  at 
those  hours  ;  but,  whatever  may  be  the  cause,  the  facts  are  so. 

"  The  Kill-deer  is  more  abundant  in  the  Southern  States  in  win- 
ter than  in  summer.  Among  the  rice-fields,  and  even  around  the 
planters'  yards,  in  South  Carolina,  I  observed  them  very  numerous 
ill  the  months  of  February  and  March.  There  the  negro  boys  fre- 
quently practise  the  barbarous  mode  of  catching  them  with  a  line, 
at  the  extremity  of  which  is  a  crooked  pin,  with  a  worm  on  it. 
Their  flight  is  something  like  that  of  the  Tern,  but  more  vigorous  ; 
and  they  sometimes  rise  to  a  great  height  in  the  air.  They 
are  fond  of  wading  in  pools  of  water,  and  frequently  bathe  them- 
selves during  the  summer.  They  usually  stand  erect  on  their  legs, 
and  run  or  walk  with  the  body  in  a  stiff,  horizontal  position  :  ihey 
run  with  great  swiftness,  and  are  also  strong  and  vigorous  in  the 
wings.  Their  flesh  is  eaten  by  some,  but  is  not  in  general  esteem ; 
though  others  say,  that,  in  the  fall,  when  they  become  very  fat,  it 
is  excellent. 

"  During  the  extreme  droughts  of  summer,  these  birds  resort  to 
the  gravelly  channel  of  brooks  and  shallow  streams,  where  they  can 
wade  about  in  search  of  aquatic  insects :  at  the  close  of  summer, 
they  generally  descend  to  the  seashore  in  small  flocks,  seldom  more 
than  ten  or  twelve  being  seen  together.  They  are  then  more  serene 
and  silent,  as  well  as  difficult  to  be  approached. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  four  in  number.  They  iire 
oblong-pyriforin  in  shape,  creamy-buff  in  color,  with  numer 


I? 


416 


ORXITHOLOOT  AND  OOLOOY. 


0U8  spots  and  blotches  of  dark-brown,  chiefly  at  their  greater 
end.  They  vary  in  dimensions  from  1.65  by  1.10  inch  to 
1.50  by  1.08  inch ;  but  one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season. 


I'i.  : 


4     '■ 


Miff 


-vl 


£GI ALIUS  WILSONIUS.  — ((7r(/.)  C.iMtn. 

Wilson's  Plover;  Binir-nock. 

Charadriui  Wihomwi,  Ord.  Ed.  Wils.  Om.,  IV.  (1826)  77.  Nutt  Man.,  IL 
(1834)  21.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  73;  V.  (1839)  C77.  /*.,  BirJs  Am.,  V. 
'1842)  214. 

Description. 

Smaller  than  the  preceding;  bill  rather  long  and  robust. 

Male.  —  Front,  and  stripe  over  the  eye,  and  entire  under  parts,  white;  front  with 
a  second  band  of  l)lack  above  tlie  white  band;  stripe  from  the  base  of  the  bill  to  the 
eye  and  wide  transverse  band  on  the  breast,  brownish-black ;  upper  parts  of  head 
and  body  light  ashy-brown,  with  the  feathers  frequently  edged  and  tipped  with  pale- 
a.shy ;  back  of  the  neck  encircled  with  a  ring  of  white,  edged  above  with  flne  light- 
reddish;  quills  brown,  with  white  shafts;  shorter  coverts  tipped  with  white;  outer 
feathers  of  the  tail  white,  middle  feathers  dark-brown;  bill  black;  legs  yellow. 

Female.  — Witliout  the  band  of  black  in  front,  and  with  the  pectoral  band  dull- 
reddish  and  light  apliy-brown ;  iris  reddish-brown. 

Total  length,  sc-.'cn  and  three  quarter  inches;  wing,  four  and  a  half  inches;  tail, 
two  inches. 

ffab.  —  Middle  and  Southern  States  on  the  Atlantic,  and  the  same  coast  of  South 
America. 

This  species  is  found  in  New  England  only  as  a  somewhat 
rare  visitor  in  the  autumn,  after  it  has  reared  its  young  in  a 
more  southern  locality.  I  think  that  it  seldom  passes  north 
of  the  southern  coast  of  Cape  Cod;  but  it  is  there  occa- 
sionally seen  in  the  early  part  of  September,  gleaning  its 
food  of  animalculae  and  small  shell-fish  and  insects  on  the 
sandy  beach  of  the  ocean. 

The  Wilson's  Plover  is  more  southern  in  its  habits  than 
either  of  the  succeeding  species ;  but  it  breeds  abundantly 
on  the  seacoast  of  New  Jersey.  The  nest  is  nothing  but  a 
hollow  scratched  in  the  sand,  above  high-water  mark,  with 
a  few  bits  of  seaweed  or  grass  for  its  lining.  The  eggs  are 
'aid  about  the  first  week  in  June.  They  are,  like  those 
01  the  other  Waders,  pyriform  in  shape ;  and,  when  placed 
in  the  nest,  their  small  ends  are  together  in  the  middle  of 
the  nest.    They  almost  exactly  resemble  the  eggs  of  the 


THE  SEMIPALMATEH  TLOVER. 


417 


at  their  greater 
by  1.10  inch  to 
in  the  season. 


mtu 


i)  77.    Nutt.  Man.,  IL 
jT.     lb.,  Bills  Am.,  V. 


r  parte,  white;  front  vrUh 
Ihe  base  of  the  bin  to  the 

ack,  upper  part'^f^"'* 
Iged  and  tipped  with  pale- 

gedabovewithflnehght- 

tippcd  with  white;  outer 

11  black;  legs  yellow- 
th  the  pectoral  band  dull- 
bur  and  a  half  inches;  tail, 
tnd  the  same  coast  of  South 

only  as  a  somewhat 
jared  its  young  in  a 
seldom  passes  north 
ut  it  is  there  occa- 
;ember,  gleaning  its 
and  insects  on  the 


n 


in  its  habits  than 
breeds  abundantly 
>st  is  nothing  but  a 
rh-water  mark,  with 
iiing.    The  eggs  are 
rhey  are,  like  those 
e;  and,  when  placed 

ber  in  the  middle  ot 
ble  the  eggs  of  the 


Kill-dccr  Plover,  but  arc  some  little  smaller ;  varying  in 
dimensions  from  1.40  by  1.0.')  to  l.ol  by  1.02  inch.  The 
spots  and  markings  are  similar  to  those  of  the  other,  but 
are  less  thickly  distributed :  some  specimens  have  obscure 
spots  of  purple  and  lilac,  and  the  brown  spots  vary  from 
quite  blackish  to  the  color  of  raw-umber. 

JEOT^LITIS   SEMIFALMATDS.  — (iJim.)  C«bam$. 

The  Semipalmated  Plover ;  Bing-neok. 

CharadriuB  semipalmatut,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  24.    Aud.  Orti.  Biog.,  IV.  (1888) 
256;  V.  579.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  218. 
jEgialles  semipalmnta,  Bonaparte.    List  (1838). 
jEgialilis  semipalmatus,  Cabanis.     Cab.  Joum.  (1856),  425. 
Tringa  hiaticula,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VII.  (1813)  65. 

DEscKirxioN. 

Small;  wings  long;  toes  connected  at  base,  especially  the  outer  to  the  middle 
toe;  front,  tliioot,  ring  around  the  neck,  and  entire  under  parts,  ■white;  a  band  of 
deep-black  across  the  breast,  extending  around  the  back  of  the  neck  below  the  white 
ring;  baud  trom  the  base  of  the  bill,  under  the  eye,  and  wide  frontal  band  above 
the  white  band,  black;  upper  parts  light  ashy-brown,  with  a  tinge  of  olive;  quills 
brownish-black,  with  their  shafts  white  h\  a  middle  portion,  and  occasionally  a  lan- 
ceolate white  rtiot  along  the  shafts  of  the  shorter  primaries;  shorter  tctinries  cdgeil 
with  white ;  lesser  coverts  tipped  with  white ;  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  ashy  olive- 
brown,  with  a  wide  subterminal  band  of  brownish-black,  and  narrowly  tipped  with 
white;  two  outer  tail  feathers  white,  others  intermediate,  like  the  middle,  but  widely 
tipped  with  white;  bill  orange-yellow,  tipped  with  black;  legs  yellow.  Female  simi- 
lar, but  rather  lighter-colored.  Young  without  the  black  band  in  front,  and  with 
the  band  across  the  breast  ashy-brown;  iris,  dark -hazel. 

Total  length,  about  seven  inches;  wing,  four  and  three-quarters  inches;  tail,  two 
and  a  quarter  inches. 

Uab.  —  The  whole  of  temperate  North  America;  common  on  the  Atlantic. 

This  pretty  and  well-known  species  is  abundant  in  New 
England  in  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  It  arrives  from 
the  South  by  the  latter  part  of  April,  in  small  flocks  of 
eight  or  ten  individuals;  some  following  the  coui-se  of  large 
fivers,  like  the  Connecticut;  others  haunting  the  shores  of 
largo  ponds  and  meadows ;  but  the  greater  number  follow- 
ing the  seacoast,  where  they  feed,  like  the  others  c'  this 
genus,  on  small  crustaceans,  shell-fish,  and  the  e^s  of  fish 
and  other  marine  animals. 


418 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


*'■<■! 


.1! 


AlUiougli  I  found  a  single  pair  with  their  nest  on  the 
islaiul  of  Muskcgcot,  Mass.,  in  June,  186G,  this  bird  gener- 
ally breeds  in  the  most  northern  parts  of  the  continent. 
Audubon,  in  describing  its  breeding  habits,  says, — 

"  As  soon  as  odd  of  us  was  noticed  by  a  Ring  Plover,  it  would 
at  once  stand  still,  and  become  silent.  If  we  did  the  same,  it 
continued,  and  seldom  failed  to  wear  out  our  patience.  If  we 
advanced,  it  would  lower  itself,  and  squat  on  the  moss  or  bare  rock 
until  approached,  when  it  would  suddenly  rise  on  its  feet,  droop  its 
wings,  depress  its  head,  and  run  with  great  speed  to  a  considerable 
distance ;  uttering,  all  the  while,  a  low  rolling  and  querulous  cry, 
very  pleasing  to  the  ear.  On  being  surprised  when  in  charge  of 
their  young,  they  would  open  their  wings  to  the  full  extent,  and 
beat  the  ground  witli  their  extremities,  as  if  unable  to  rise.  If 
pursued,  they  allowed  us  to  come  within  a  few  feet,  then  took  flight, 
and  attempted  to  decoy  us  away  from  their  young,  which  lay  so 
close  that  we  very  seldom  discovered  them ;  but  which,  on  being 
traced,  ran  swiftly  off,  uttering  a  plaintive  peep,  often  repeated, 
that  never  ftiiled  to  bring  their  parents  to  their  aid.  At  Labrador, 
the  Ring  Plover  begins  to  breed  in  the  beginning  of  June.  Like 
the  Piping  Plover,  it  forms  no  nest ;  but,  whilst  the  latter  scoops  a 
place  in  the  sand  for  its  eggs,  the  Ring  Plover  forms  a  similar 
cavity  in  the  moss,  in  a  place  sheltered  from  the  north  winds,  and 
exposed  to  the  full  rays  of  the  sun,  usually  near  the  margins  of 
small  ponds  formed  by  the  melting  of  the  snow,  and  surrounded  by 
short  grass.  The  eggs,  like  those  of  all  the  family,  are  four,  and 
placed  witli  the  small  ends  together.  They  are  broad  at  the  larger 
end,  rather  sharp  at  the  other  ;  measure  1^  inch  in  length,  1| 
inches  in  their  greatest  breadth;  are  of  a  dull-yellowish  color, 
irregularly  blotched  and  spotted  all  over  with  dark-brown  of  dif- 
ferent tints." 


i 


Early  in  September,  sometimes  by  the  20th  of  August, 
small  flocks  of  these  birds  appear  in  New  England,  and 
they  remain  here  as  late  as  the  first  week  in  October  :  tliey 
are  now  f^  and  delicate,  and  are  esteemed  excellent  for  the 
table. 


THE  PIPINvl   PLOVER. 


4i!) 


lieir  nest  on  the 
,  this  hird  gcucr- 
)f  the  continent. 
its,  says,— 

ng  Plover,  it  woul.l 
,e  did  the  same,  it 
,r  patience.     If  we 
le  moss  or  bare  rock 
on  its  feet,  droop  its 
ced  to  a.  considerable 
^  and  querulous  cry, 
I  when  in  charge  of 
,  the  full  extent,  and 
if  unable  to  rise.    If 
V  feet,  then  took  flight, 
•  young,  which  lay  so 
;  but  which,  on  being 
'  peep,  often  repeated, 
eiraid.     At  Labrador, 
inning  of  June.     Like 
liilst  the  latter  scoops  a 
'lover  forms  a  similar 
.  the  north  winds,  and 
y  near  the  margins  of 
low,  and  surrounded  by 
,e  family,  are  four,  and 
are  broad  at  the  larger 
1^  inch  in  length,  U 
a  dull-yellowish  color, 
ith  dark-brown  of  dif- 

the  20tli  of  August, 
,n  New  England,  and 
leek  in  October  :  they 
Imed  excellent  for  the 


JEOIALITIS    MELODDS.  — (Or(/.)  CiibanU. 

The  Piping  Plover. 

Charadriut  meWtw,  Nutt«ll.    Man.,  11.  18.    Aud.  Cm.  Bio^f,  III.  (188.1)  Ifil 
V.  578. 

jfjyinllei  meloduB,  Bonaparte.     List  (1838). 
^i/ialilii  melmlttt,  Cabnnia.    Jour.  (1866),  424. 
Charadriut  hiaticuta.    Wila.  Am.  Om.,  V.  (1812)  M 

Desciwption. 

About  the  size  of  the  preceding;  bill  short,  strong. 

Adult.  —  Forehead,  ring  amund  the  back  of  the  neck,  and  entire  under  pnrtH, 
white,  a  band  of  black  in  front  above  the  band  of  white;  band  encircling  the  neck 
before  and  beliiiid  black,  immediately  below  the  ring  of  wliitc  on  the  neck  behind; 
head  above,  and  upper  parts  of  body,  light  brownish-cinereous;  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts  lighter,  and  often  nearly  white;  quills  dark-brown,  witli  a  large  portion  of 
their  inner  webs  and  shafts  white;  shorter  primaries  with  a  large  portion  of  their 
outer  webs  white;  tail  at  base  white,  and  with  the  outer  feathers  white;  middle 
feathers  with  a  wide  subtcrminal  band  of  brownish-black,  and  tipped  with  white; 
bill  orange  at  base,  tipped  with  black;  legs  orance-yellow. 

female.  —  Similar  to  the  male,  but  with  the  dark  colors  lighter  and  less  in  extent. 

Ymmff.  —  No  black  band  in  ftont;  collar  around  the  back  of  the  neck  ashy- 
brown;  iris  brown. 

Total  length,  about  seven  inches;  wing,  four  and  a  half  inches;  tail,  two  inches. 

Ilab. — Eastern  coast  of  North  America ;  Nebraska  (Lieut.  Warren);  Louisiana 
(Mr.  G.  Wurdemann). 

This  pretty  and  well-known  species  is  pretty  abundantly 
distributed  along  the  coast  of  New  England  as  a  summer 
resident.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  20th  of  April 
in  small  flocks,  and  soon  selects  its  breeding-residence  on 
some  tract  of  ocean  beach ;  dividing,  early  in  May,  into  pairs, 
wliich,  however,  associate  somewhat  together  through  tho 
whole  season.  It  occasionally  penetrates  into  the  interior, 
and  has  been  known  to  breed  on  the  borders  of  a  pond 
twenty  miles  from  the  seaboard ;  but  generally,  in  New  Eng- 
land, it  seldom  wanders  far  from  the  shore,  where  it  is  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  and  interesting  of  our  Waders. 

It  seems  to  prefer  sandy  islands  a  short  distance  from  the 
main  land  for  its  breeding-place.  I  have  found  numbers 
breeding  on  the  island  of  Muskegeet,  off  the  southern  coast 
of  Massachusetts,  and  have  found  it  on  many  others  of  our 
islands  of  similar  character. 


420 


.nNITHOLOOY  AND  OOLOOY. 


.1      >  ,' 


Tlio  ucst  is  nothing  but  a  hollow  in  tlio  sand  Bcrapod  hy 
the  fomalo  bird :  it  somotimos  has  a  Hlight  lining  of  pieces 
of  grass  or  seawcod  ;  l)ut  usually  the  eggs  are  deposited  on 
fiio  bare  sand.  Those  arc  four  in  number,  abruptly  pyri- 
forin  in  shape,  and  a  beautiful  light  creamy-buff  in  color, 
with  thinly  scattered  spots  of  black  and  brown,  and  some- 
times a  few  obscure  spots  of  lilac.  They  average  smaller  in 
size  than  either  of  the  preceding,  varying  from  1.30  by  1  inch 
to  1.20  by  .95  inch  in  dimensions.  They  do  not  resemble 
the  others,  being  much  more  finely  marked ;  and  their  small 
ends  are  more  rounded. 

The  breeding  habits  and  general  characteristics  of  this 
so  much  resemble  those  of  the  preceding  species  that  the 
same  remarks  will  apply  to  both. 

SQUATAROLA,  Cuvier.  ' 

Bjuntarola,  Cuvteb,  R^gne  Anim.,  I.  (1817).    (Type  Tringa  squntaroln,  Linn.) 
A  rudimentary  hind  toe ;  legs  reticulated,  with  elongated  hexagons  anteriorly,  of 

which  there  are  five  or  six  in  a  transverse  row;  fewer  behind;  first  primary  longest) 

tail  slightly  rounded. 


•:: 


SQUATABOLA   HELVETICA.  —  CVtvier. 

The  Blaok-bellied  Plover. 

Tringa  Mvetica,  Linnteus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1768)  250. 
Squatnrola  helvetica,    Cuvier,  R.  A.,  (1817). 

Charadnm  helveticus,  Audubon.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1888)  280.  /J.,  Birds  Amer., 
V.  (1742)  190. 

Charadnm  apricariui,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VII.  (1813)  41. 

Description. 

Bill  and  legs  strong;  wings  long;  aveiysmall  rudimentary  hind  toe;  around  the 
base  of  the  bill  to  the  eyes,  neeli  before  and  under  parts  of  body,  black ;  upper 
white,  nearly  pure  and  unspotted  on  the  forehead;  sides  of  the  nock  and  rump  tinged 
with  ashy,  and  having  irregular  transverse  bars  of  brownish-black  on  tlie  back, 
scapulars,  and  wing  coverts;  the  brownish-black  frequently  predominating  on  those 
parts,  and  the  rump  also  frequently  with  transverse  bars  of  the  same;  lower  part  of 
the  abdomen,  tibia,  and  under  tail  coverts,  white;  quills  brownish-black,  lighter  on 
their  inner  webs,  with  a  middle  portion  of  their  shafts  white,  and  a  narrow  longi- 
tudinal stripe  of  white  frequently  on  the  shorter  primaries  and  secondaries;  tail 
white,  with  transverse  imperfect  narrow  bands  of  black;  bill  and  legs  black;  the 
black  color  of  the  under  parts  generally  with  a  bronzed  or  coppery  lustre,  and  pre- 


THE   BLACK-BELLIEP   PLOVKH. 


\n 


mnd  ficrapoil  hy 
lining  of  l)i<!ccs 
fti-o  (loposited  on 
or,  abruptly  pyii- 
my-buff  in  color, 
Drown,  and  somo- 
ivcrago  ftmallcr  in 
roml.BObylinch 
y  do  not  rosomblo 
1 ;  and  their  small 

.racteristics  of  this 
g  Bpocies  that  the 


ated  hexagons  anteriorly,  of 
ihind;  first  primary  longest, 


Cuvitr. 

0. 

1888)  280.    lb.,  Birds  Amer., 

813)  41. 

mentary  hind  toe,  around  th. 
"arts  of  body,  black,  uppe 
softhenuck  and  rump  tmgcd 

brownish-black  on  the  bac^ 
icntlypredominatmgonthos 
£  of  the  same,  lower  part  0. 
ills  brownish-black,  lighter  on 
ts  white,  and  a  narrow  ions. 

in^aries  and  secondaries,  tm 
lack,  bill  and  legs  black -,1^ 
ed  or  coppery  lustre,  and  pre- 


tenting  a  srale-llke  •ppeitrance,  (he  bruwn!!ih-l>lu('k  of  Iho  upiiir  pirlK  with  a 
((ri't'nish  luKlre. 

Youiiyrr  nml  winter  plumaijt.  —  VstA\Te  up|H.T  part*  dark-brown,  with  lirciilar 
and  irri';?iilar  sninll  »potM  of  wliltf,  and  IriMimiilly  of  yillow,  niunt  ^ullll•roll^l  dm 
till!  wing  covertH,  upptir  tail  covort»  wliitu;  unJur  parts  wliiti',  witli  short  limtfi- 
tiuliiial  lines  and  H|)ots dark  liruwniHh-cinvrvuus uu  th«  nvt'k  and  bnaHt ;  ipiilU  brown- 
i.s|i-black,  witli  largu  longitudinal  Hpot8  uf  wliitu  ou  thuir  innur  wubs,  and  uUo  on  thu 
outer  webs  of  the  shorter  primaries. 

I'ouni/.  — Upper  parts  lighter,  and  with  tliu  wliitu  npfjta  nmru  irregular  or 
urarccly  assuming  a  circular  shape;  narrow  linua  ou  tliu  nvcl(  and  breast  inui« 
niinierous;  iris  black.  , 

Total  length,  about  eleven  and  a  half  inches;  wings,  seven  and  a  half  inches; 
tail,  three  inches. 

Ilab.  —  All  of  North  America.  The  soacoasts  of  nearly  all  countriua  of  the 
world. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  almost  of  tlie  same  habits  and 
cliaractoristios  as  the  Golden  Plover  described  on  a  preced- 
ing page.  It  arrives  and  departs  at  nearly  the  same  time 
ill  spring,  and,  like  that  species,  breeds  in  the  most  nortlicrn 
sections  of  the  continent.  Wilson,  in  speaking  of  its  breed- 
ing in  Pennsylvania,  says, — 

"  This  bird  is  known  in  some  parts  of  tlie  country  by  the  name 
of  the  Large  Whisthag  Field  Plover.  It  goiieruUy  mukos  its  first 
appearance  iu  Pennsylvania  late  in  April ;  frequents  the  countries 
towards  the  mountains ;  seems  particularly  attached  to  uewly 
ploughed  fields,  where  it  forms  its  nest  of  a  few  slight  materials,  as 
slightly  put  together.  The  female  lays  four  eggs,  large  for  tlie 
Bize  of  the  bird,  of  a  light-olive  color,  dashed  with  black,  and  has 
frequently  two  broods  in  the  same  season.  It  is  an  extremely  shy 
and  watcliful  bird,  though  clamorous  during  breeding-time." 

About  the  10th  or  15th  of  September,  or  a  fortnight  later 
than  the  Golden  Plover,  it  returns  on  its  southern  migra- 
tion ;  and  the  same  means  are  employed  for  its  destruc- 
tion as  for  that  bird :  these  birds  are  called  by  the  gunnera 
by  the  name  of  Beetle-heads,  and  are  esteemed  as  being 
nearly  as  palatable  and  delicate  as  the  other  species. 


.}.! 


OltNITilOLOUV   AND   OOLOOT. 


Family    ilvEMATOrODIUJE.     Tuk  Oystek-catciikiib. 

Hill  RM  Irjii^  ax  llio   huuil,  or  twice  u  innif,  comprennpd ;  culiiicn  but  littl« 
inJuiituJ,  unit  thu  liill  uut  vuullud  buyuiid  the  uuntrils,  wbich  are  quite  boul. 

H/KMATOI'US,  LiNN.KUs. 

IhtmitU'puf,  I.iNN.KUH,  Syi-t.  Nut.  (173&).  (Typu  //.  Oilrnlryiu,  L.) 
Bill  lon^^rr  thuii  tliu  log,  twicu  nx  lon^  an  tlit  huad;  iiiniidiblvx  mucb  mmprcgged, 
nhirp-cdKLMl,  ojid  truiicuto  at  end;  iiiiiil  tdti  wniiliii^;  \t>gn  rvticiduti'd,  witb  fire  01 
lix  I'Idiipitt'd  (iliiti's  ill  u  transverse  fiurifx;  iiu'hIiuh  lur){ur  anturiorly;  a  basal  mciii- 
hrauu  bc'twvKii  middle  and  outer  Uku;  Iuu:*  uiilur^rvd  laterally  by  a  tbickenvd 
imaibraue;  tuil  eveu;   tirst  primary  lungvgt. 


'^    ♦■•3 


HJEMATOPUS   PATiLtATDS.  —  Temm. 

The  Oyster-catober-  ' 

llamatcput  pnUiatut,  Temm.  Man.,  II.  (1820)  &32.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill 
(1835)  181;    V.  680.     /A.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  230. 

llannatojwii  otlraleyus,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (1814)  16. 

Descrii>tion. 

Bill  long,  Htniiglit,  flattened  vcrticutly;  wing  long;  tail  short;  lega  moderate, 
rather  robust;  toe.s  iiiiirgincd;  outer  and  middle  united  at  base;  bead  and  neck 
brownish-black,  with  a  slight  ashy  tinge  in  very  mature  specimens;  upper  parts  of 
body  light  aHliy-brown,  rather  darker  on  the  rump;  upper  tail  coverts  and  wide 
diagonal  band  across  the  wing  white;  quills  brownish-black;  toil  feathers  at  base 
white,  with  their  terminating  half  brownish-black;  under  parts  of  body  and  under 
wing  coverts  white;  bill  and  edge  of  eyelids  bright  orange-red;  legs  pale-rcddi.sh ; 
iris  bright-yellow. 

Totol  length,  about  seventeen  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  ten;  tail,  four  ond  a  half; 
bill  to  gape,  three  and  a  half;  tarsus,  two  and  a  quarter  inches. 

THIS  bird  is  of  rare  occurrence  on  the  seacoast  of  New 
England  as  a  summer  visitor.  I  am  not  aware  that  it 
breeds  here ;  but  it  may,  as  it  is  said  to  be  found  all  along 
our  coast  from  Mahie  to  Florida.  Wilson,  in  describing  its 
habits,  says, — 

"The  Oyster-catcher  frequents  the  sandy  sea-beach  of  New 
Jersey,  and  other  parts  of  our  Athmtic  coast,  in  summer,  in  small 
parties  of  two  or  three  pairs  together.     They  are  extr    aely  shy; 


THE  0V8TKII-CATCIIKU. 


9TF.R-CATCHERB. 

,„e<l!   culmon  but  llltl« 
hich  are  quite  bawl. 


ttraUgui,  li.) 

,ulil)lf«  much  comprcBued, 
,  rclinilutwl,  with  five  oi 
anteriorly!  a  basal  mem. 

laterally  by  a  thickened 


I.     Aud.  Orn.  Uiog-,  I" 
^4)  16- 

tail  short;  1^  moderate, 
■d  at  base;  head  and  neck 
|o  specimens;  upper  part«  of 
ipner  tail  covcrtB  and  wide 
l.laok;  tail  feathers  at  base 
i,r  parts  of  body  and  undef 
•angc-red;  legspale-rcddish; 

f,r,  ten;  tail,  four  and  a  half; 
inches. 

the  seacoast  of  New 
am  not  aware  that  it 
to  be  found  all  along 
son,  in  describing  its 

pdy  Boa-beach  of  New 
St,  in  summer,  in  small 
hey  are  extr    aely  shy ; 


jnd,  oxcopt  iihout  tlio  soiwon  of  hrroding.  will  si-ldom  pcrinif  t\  ptT 
noil  to  iipiiroiicli  wiiliin  ;;iiiiKli()t.  Tlu-y  walk  uloiii;  ilii.'  nIhuo  in  ii 
wiitclifiil.  Hditoly  inuimcr  ;  ut  tiiucs  pioltiii};  it  with  tlicir  loiij;, 
WLMi<re-liko  l)ill»,  m  Bean-li  of  HtiiitU  hIu'II-IIhIi.  This  a|>p('iir!t  cvi- 
iltut,  on  iiximiiniiij?  tlin  Iianl  sands  wluTc  they  usually  iTsmt 
which  aio  fouii<l  thickly  pciloiatctl  with  oliloii;,'  holes,  two  nr 
three  inches  in  depth.  The  Kniall  criihs,  called  liddlciH,  tiiat 
hurrow  in  the  mud  at  tlio  bottom  of  inlets,  uro  freiineiitly  the 
prey  of  the  Oyster-catcher ;  us  uro  muscles,  spout-lish,  und  a 
variety  of  other  shell-fish  and  sea  insects  witli  which  thoso  shores 
uhouiid. 

"  The  Oyster-catcher  will  not  oidy  take  to  the  water  wlien 
wounded,  hut  can  also  swim  and  divo  well.  This  fact  I  can  assert 
from  my  own  observation,  the  exploits  of  one  of  them  in  this  way 
having  nearly  cost  me  my  life.  On  the  sea-heach  of  Cape  May, 
not  far  from  a  deep  and  rnj)i(l  inlet,  I  broke  the  wing  of  one  of 
these  hirds,  and,  being  without  u  dog,  instantly  pursued  it  towards 
the  inlet,  which  it  made  for  with  great  rapidity.  We  both  plunged 
in  ncArly  at  the  same  instant ;  but  the  bird  eluded  my  grasp,  and  I 
sunk  beyond  my  depth :  it  was  not  until  this  moment  that  I  recol- 
lected having  carried  in  my  gun  along  with  mo.  On  rising  to  the 
surface,  I  found  the  bird  had  dived,  and  a  strong  ebb  current  wius 
carrying  me  fast  towards  the  ocean,  encumbered  with  a  gun  and 
all  my  shooting  apparatus.  I  was  compelled  to  relinquish  my  bird, 
and  to  make  for  the  shore  with  considerable  mortilication,  and  the 
total  destruction  of  the  contents  of  my  powder-horn.  The  wounded 
bird  afterwards  rose,  and  swam  with  great  buoyancy." 

The  euL^s  of  this  bird  are  most  generally  a  croiiray-drab 
color,  with  numerous  blotches  and  spots  of  blackish-brown. 
Their  form  is  ovoidal ;  and  their  dimensions  vary  from  2.30 
to  2.12  inch  in  length  by  from  1.62  to  1.50  in  breadth. 

STREPSILAS,  Illiger. 

Strfpsilaa,  Ii.i.ic.eu,  Prodromus  (1811).    (Type  Tringa  interpret,  L.) 
Upper  jaw  with  tlie  culmen  straight  from  the  nasal  groovo  to  near  the  slifjhtly 
upward  bent  tip;  tlie  bill  tapering  to  a  rather  blunt  point;  no  membrane  between 
the  anterior  toes;   hind  toe  lengthened,  touching  the  ground;   legs   transversely 
scutellate  anteriorly;  reticulated  laterally  and  behind;  tail  rounded. 


424 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


The  nasal  groove  is  very  broad  and  shallow,  obtuse  anteriorly,  and  not  extend- 
ing beyond  the  middle  of  the  bill;  the  lower  edge  of  upper  jaw  ascends  slightly 
from  the  middle  to  near  the  tip. 


STBEf SILAS   INTERPRES.  — /%er. 
The  Turnstone. 

Tringa  interpret,  Linna!us.  3y8t.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  248.  Wib.  Am.  Orn.,  VII. 
(1813)  82. 

Strepsilasinterpves,l\\\^f:T.  Prod.  (1811),  263.  Nutt.,  II.  30.  Aud.  Cm.  Biog., 
rV.  (1838)  31.     lb..  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  231. 

Desckhtion. 

Upper  parts  ratlier  irregularly  variegated  with  black,  dark -rufous,  and  white  j 
head  and  neck  above  generally  white,  with  numerous  spots  and  stripes  of  brownish- 
black  on  the  crown  and  occiput;  space  in  front  of  the  eye  white,  usually  surrounded 
with  black ;  throat  white,  on  each  side  of  which  is  a  stripe  of  black  running  from 
the  base  of  the  bill  downwards  and  joining  a  large  space  of  the  same  color  (black) 
on  the  neck  before  and  breast;  abdomen,  under  wing  coverts,  under  tail  coverts, 
back,  and  rump,  white;  quills  brownish-black,  with  their  shatU  white;  tail  white  at 
base,  with  its  terminal  holf  brownish-black,  and  tipped  with  white;  greater  wing 
coverts  widely  tipped  with  white,  forming  a  conspicuous  oblique  bar  across  the 
wing;  bill  black;  legs  orange;  in  winter,  the  black  of  the  upper  parts  is  more 
apparent,  and  the  rufous  is  of  less  extent  and  of  lighter  shade;  iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  about  nine  inches;  wing,  six;  tail,  two  and  a  half  inches. 

Uab.  —  Shores  of  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific,  throughout  North  America.  One  of 
the  most  widely  diffused  of  birds,  being  found  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  world. 

It  is  only  on  the  seacoast,  and  in  very  small  numbers 
even,  that  tins  bird  is  found  in  New  England  as  a  spring 
and  summer  visitor.  It  occasionally  is  found  in  company 
with  some  of  the  Sandpipers  and  other  beach-birds;  but 
usually  appears  alone,  or  in  parties  of  two  or  three,  on  the 
beach,  or  on  the  shores  of  sandy  rivers  that  empty  into 
the  ocean,  near  their  outlets.  It  is  almost  always  actively 
employed  in  turning  over  the  pebbles  and  small  stones  with 
its  strong,  sharp  bill,  beneath  which  it  finds  small  marine 
animals  and  eggs,  on  which  it  principally  feeds.  It  also 
eats  greedily,  according  to  Wilson,  on  the  eggs  of  the 
Horse-shoe,  or  King  Crab,  and  small  shell-fisli,  and  occa- 
sionally wades  into  the  water  for  a  shrimp  or  other  small 
animal  that  is  left  in  a  shallow  pool  by  the  retiring  waves. 
It  breeds  on  the  most  northern  sections  of  the  continent, 


THE  TURNSTONE. 


425 


iorly,  aiul  not  exUnd- 
r  jaw  ascends  slightly 


Wils.  Am.  OrniVn. 
J.  30.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog., 


dark-rufous,  and  wbite; 
}  and  stripes  of  brownish- 
white,  usually  surrounded 
pe  of  black  running  from 
of  the  same  color  (black) 
overts,  under  tail  coverts, 
shafts  white;  tail  white  at 
with  white;  greater  wing 
,u8  oblique  bar  across  the 
f  the  upper  parts  is  more 
er  shade;  iris  hazel, 
and  a  half  inches. 
It  North  America.    One  of 
all  parts  of  the  world. 

:ery  small  numbers 
nglaud  as  a  spring 
,  found  in  company 
er  beacli-birds;  but 
;wo  or  three,  on  the 
srs  that  empty  into 
lost  always  actively 
lid  small  stones  with 

finds  small  marine 
)ally  feeds.  It  also 
,u   the  eggs   of  the 

shell-fish,  and  occa- 
[rimp  or  other  small 
tr  the  retiring  waves. 

us  of  the  continent, 


l)uilding  its  nest  in  the  Hudson's  Bay  country,  early  in 
June:  this  nest  is  nothing  but  a  slight  hollow  scratcliod 
in  the  earth,  and  lined  with  a  few  pieces  of  grass  or  sea- 
weed. The  eggs  are  lour  in  number :  they  are  of  an  olive 
color,  sometimes  a  drab ;  and  are  marked  with  spots  aud 
blotches  of  reddish  and  black,  chiefly  at  the  greater  end, 
where  they  are  confluent,  and  nearly  cover  aud  conceal 
the  ground-color.  Their  form  is  abruptly  {)yrilbnn ;  '.uid 
their  dimensions  average  about  1.55  by  1.15  inch. 

It  is  rarely  that  we  find  two  specimens  of  this  bird  in  the 
full  plumage,  or  marked  alike  :  they  exhibit  all  the  varieties, 
from  almost  entirely  gray  on  their  upper  parts,  to  the 
plumage  described  above. 


42G 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


■1 

j 

Family  RECURVIROSTRIDiE.    The  Avosets. 

Legs  covered  ■with  hexHRonal  plates,  becoming  smaller  behind ;  anterior  toes  all 
connected  more  or  less  by  membrane;  bill  much  lengthened  and  attenuated;  the 
groove  alor;g  tlio  side  of  the  upper  mandible  not  extending  beyond  the  middle; 
gums  denticulated  only  at  the  base. 

In  addition  to  the  features  above  mentioned,  these  birds  are  essentially  charac- 
terized by  the  excessive  length  of  the  legs,  with  a  very  long,  slender  neck  and  slen- 
der elongated  bill.  Of  the  several  genera  assigned  the  family,  but  two  belong  to 
the  United  States,  with  the  following  features:  — 

Kecuuviuostka.  —  Hind  toe  present;  toes  webbed  to  the  claws;  bill  recurved 
at  tip. 

IIiMANTfU'Us.  —  Hind  toe  wanting;  a  short  web  between  middle  and  outer  toei 
at  base;  bill  straight. 

RECURVIROSTKA,  Linn.kus. 

JtecuiTirostrn,  I.inx.kus,  Syst.  Nat.  (1744).     Gray.    (Type  E-  avocetia,  L.) 
Hind  toe  rudimentary;  anterior  toes  united  to  the  claws  by  a  much  eniarginated 

membrane;   bill  depressed,  extended  into  a  fine  point,  which  is  recur\'ed;   tali 

covered  by  the  wings. 


m 


^ 


:li 


BECUBVIBOSTBA  AMEBICANA.  —  (?fne;<n. 
The  American  Avoset. 

Recurvirostra  Ameviamn,  Gmelin.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  693.  Wils.  Am.  Cm., 
VIL  (1813)  126.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  78.  Aud.  Cm.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  168.  lb.,  Birds 
Am,,  VI.  (1843)  247. 

Descrii'Tion. 

Bill  rather  long,  depressed;  wings  long;  logs  long;  tarsi  compressed;  tail  short. 

Adult.  —  Head  and  neck  pale  reddish-brown,  darker  on  the  head,  and  fading 
gradually  into  white;  back,  wing  coverts,  and  quills,  black;  scapulars,  tips  of 
greater  wing  coverts,  rump  and  tail,  and  entire  under  parts,  white,  the  last  frequently 
tinged  with  reddish ;  bill  brownish-black ;  legs  bluish. 

yuituff.  —  Very  similar  to  the  adult,  but  with  the  head  and  neck  white,  frequently 
tinged  with  ashy  on  the  head  and  neck  behind ;  iris  carmine. 

Total  length,  about  seventeen  inches;  wing,  eight  and  a  half  to  nine;  tail,  three 
and  a  half;  bill  to  gape,  three  and  three-quarters;  tarsus,  three  and  a  half  inches. 

THIS  bird  is  a  rare  summer  visitor  in  Now  England 
I  am  unacquainted  with  its  habits,  having  never  met 
with  one  alive ;  and  I  must  avail  myself  of  the  observations 
of  others.     Wilson  says, — 


THE   AMERICAN   AVOSET. 


427 


tIE   AV03ET8. 


"  In  describing  the  Long-legged  Avoset,  the  similarity  between 
that  and  the  present  was  taken  notice  of.  This  resemblance 
extends  to  every  thing  but  their  color.  I  found  both  these  birds 
associated  together  on  the  salt  marshes  of  New  Jersey,  on  tlie  20th 
of  May.  They  were  then  breeding.  Individuals  of  the  prcsen: 
species  were  few  in  respect  to  the  other.  Tiiey  ilew  around  the 
shallow  pools  exactly  in  the  manner  of  the  Long-logs ;  uttering 
the  like  sharp  note  of  click,  click,  click;  alighting  on  the  marsh  or 
ill  the  water  indiscriminately  ;  fluttering  their  loose  wings,  and  shak- 
ing their  half-bent  legs,  as  if  ready  to  tumble  over ;  keeping  up  a 
continual  yelping  note.  They  were,  however,  rather  more  shy, 
and  kept  at  a  greater  distance.  One  which  I  wounded  attempted 
repeatedly  to  dive;  but  the  water  was  too  shallow  to  permit  him  to 
do  this  with  facility.  The  nest  was  built  among  the  thick  tufts  of 
grass,  at  a  small  distance  from  one  of  these  pools.  It  was  com- 
posed of  small  twigs  of  a  seaside  shrub,  dry  grass,  seaweed,  &c., 
raised  to  the  height  of  several  in  es.  The  eggs  wei-e  four,  of  a 
rluU-olive  color,  marked  with  large,  irregular  blotches  of  black,  and 
with  others  of  a  fainter  tint. 


Audubon,  who  found  it  breeding  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Vincenues,  in  tlie  State  of  Indiana,  describes  the  nest  and 
eggs  as  follows:  — 

"The  nests  were  placed  among  the  tallest  grasses,  and  were 
entirely  composed  of  the  same  materials,  but  dried,  and  apparently 
of  a  former  year's  growth.  There  was  not  a  twig  of  any  kind 
about  them.  The  inner  nest  was  about  five  inches  in  diameter,  and 
lined  with  fine  prairie  grass,  different  from  that  found  on  the  islets 
of  the  pond,  and  about  two  inches  in  depth,  over  a  bed  having  a 
thickness  of  an  inch  and  a  half.  The  islets  did  not  seem  to  be 
liable  to  iimndation ;  and  none  of  the  nests  exhibited  any  appearance 
of  having  been  increased  in  elevation  since  the  commencement  of 
iticubation,  as  was  the  case  with  those  described  by  Wilson.  Like 
those  of  most  Waders,  the  eggs  were  four  in  number,  and  placed 
witji  the  small  ends  together.  They  measured  two  inches  in  length, 
jue  inch  and  three-eighths  in  their  greatest  breadth,  and  were 
exactly,  as  Wilson  tells  us,  '  of  a  dull-olive  color,'  ice.  To  this  I 
have  to  add  that  tUoy  are  pear-shaped  and  smooth." 


42S 


OBNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  PHALAROPODIDiE.    The  Phalaropes. 

Feathers  of  breast  compact,  duck-like ;  legs  with  transverse  scutellee  before  and 
Dehind;  toes  to  the  tips  with  a  lateral  margin,  more  or  less  indented  at  the  joints 
the  hinder  with  a  feeble  lobe ;  bill  equal  to  or  longer  than  the  head,  the  lateral  groove 
•xteuding  nearly  to  the  tip. 


PIIALAROPUS,  Bkissojj, 
Membrane  of  toes  scolloped  at  the  joints. 


I  I 


■i 


41 


s 


FHALAROFUS   HYPEBBOBEUS.  —  Temm. 

The  Northern  Phalarope. 

IMnga  kyperborea,  Linnaeus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  240. 

Phalarqp'is  hyperhoreus,  Temm.  Man.,  IL  (1820)  709.  And.  Cm.  Biog.,  III. 
(1885)  118;  V.  695. 

Desciuption. 

Bill  short,  straight,  pointed;  wings  long;  tail  siiort;  legs  short. 

Adult.  —  Neck  encircled  with  a  ring  of  bright-ferruginous,  and  a  stripe  of  the 
same  on  each  side;  head  above  and  neck  behind  sooty-ash;  back,  wings,  and  tail, 
brownish-black,  paler  on  the  rump,  mixed  with  bright-ferruginous  on  the  back;  tips 
of  greater  wing  coverts  white;  sides  and  flanks  ashy,  frequently  mixed  with  red- 
dish; throat,  breast,  and  abdomen  white;  bill  and  legs  dark;  iris  dark-brown. 

Young.  —  Entire  upper  parts  brownish-black;  many  feathers  edged  and  tipped 
with  dull  yellow  and  ashy;  under  jarts  white;  tips  of  grenter  wing  coverts  white. 

Total  length,  about  seven  inches;  wing,  four  and  half;  tail,  two  and  a  quarter; 
bill,  one;  tarsus,  three-fourtlis  or  an  inch. 


THE  Northern  Phalarope  is  rarely  found  on  the  seacoast 
of  New  England  in  the  spring  and  autumn  migrations ; 
appearing  in  tlie  former  about  the  10th  of  May,  and  in  the 
latter  about  the  25th  of  August.  The  migrations  are  per- 
formed by  the  birds  in  small  flocks  out  at  sea ;  and  it  is  only 
when  they  are  driven  into  shore  by  heavy  winds  and  storms 
that  they  are  found  here,  and  then  scarcely  more  than  two  or 
three  birds  are  taken  in  a  season.  This  species  is  equally  a 
swimmer  and  wader.  When  on  the  water,  it  has  the  appear- 
ance of  a  small  Gull  or  Tern,  swimming  with  great  elegance 


THE    NOUTHERN    PHALAROPE. 


429 


Phalaropes. 

eree  scutellee  before  and 
,  indented  at  the  joint*, 
le  head,  the  lateral  groove 


.  Temm- 


49. 
09. 


And.  Om.  Biog.,  HI. 


legs  short. 

iginous,  and  a  stripe  of  the 
■ash;  back,  wings,  and  tail, 
.rruginousontheback;  tips 
frequently  mixed  with  red- 
dark ;  iris  dark-brown. 
f  feathers  edged  and  tipped 
■rre-tcr  wing  coverts  whit«. 
ilf;  tail,  two  and  a  quarter; 


and  ease,  frequently  dipping  its  bill  into  the  water  to  secure 
a  small  marine  animal  or  fly.  Ii^  motions  arc  so  graceful 
when  thus  employed,  that  tlie  bird  has  been  compared  to  a 
swan  ;  and  all  writers  agree  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful of  our  aquatic  birds. 

On  the  shore,  it  frequents  small  pools  or  ponds  of  water, 
near  the  coast,  iii  which  it  wades  and  swims  with  equal 
facility  ;  frequently  uttering  a  shrill  cry  similar  to  the  sylla- 
bles creet  cree  teet.  It  is  said  that  the  same  pairs  are  faith- 
ful to  each  other  for  successive  seasons.  I  know  not  how 
true  this  maybe;  but  it  seems  not  improbable,  from  the 
fact,  that,  in  their  winter  homes  on  the  shores  of  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  they  are  most  often  seen  in  small  parties  of  three 
or  four,  often  by  pairs.  This  species  breeds  in  the  most 
northern  sections  of  the  continent.  It  builds  its  nest  about 
the  first  week  in  June,  in  the  Hudson's  Bay  country :  this 
is  constructed  of  a  few  pieces  of  grass  and  moss,  put  loosely 
together,  and  placed  in  a  tussock  of  grass  or  moss.  The 
eggs  are  usually  four  in  number.  They  vary  in  color  from  a 
brownisli-drab  to  light-olive,  and  are  thickly  covered  with 
large  blotches  and  spots  of  dark  umber :  their  form  is  abrupt- 
ly pyriform,  and  their  dimensions  vary  from  1.12  by  1.02 
to  1.06  by  .98  inch. 


bund  on  the  seacoast 
autumn  migrations ; 
of  May,  and  in  the 
migrations  are  per- 
atsea;  and  it  is  only 
Lvy  winds  and  storms 
•ely  more  than  two  or 
is  species  is  equally  a 
,tcr,ithastheappear- 
,g  with  great  elegance 


a  BM*»ihb^\fiiv-'^  ,..  -^  j: 


430 


OUNITHOLOOT   AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  SCOLOPACIDiE.    The  Snipes. 

Legs  with  transverse  scutclliE  before  and  behind;  toe»  not  margined  broadly  to 
the  tips,  with  or  without  basal  membrane;  hind  toe  generally  present;  bill  generally 
longer  than  the  head,  the  groove  extending  beyond  the  middle. 


:!!' 


Sub-Family  ScoLOPACiNiE. 

Bill  swollen  at  the  end,  and  covered  almost  to  the  tip  with  a  soft  skin,  the  edges 
only  of  the  rather  vaulted  tip  homy;  the  end  of  the  upper  bill  generally  bent  n 
little  over  the  tip  of  lower;  the  jaw-bone  in  typical  genera  finely  porous,  and  per- 
forated by  vcsscIh  and  nerves,  imparting  a  high  degree  of  sensibility  to  the  bill, 
enabling  it  to  And  food  in  the  mud;  after  death,  the  end  of  bill  is  usually  pitted; 
legs  rather  stout;  the  naked  portion  of  the  tibia  much  abbreviated ;  the  hind  toe 
well  developed  and  generally  present;  the  toes  usually  without  basal  membrane 
f  except  in  Afacrorhnmphts,  &c.). 

PHILOHELA,  G.  R.  Gray. 

Phihhela,  Gray,  List  of  Genera  (1841).  Gmelin.  (Type  Scolopax  minor.) 
Body  very  full,  and  head,  bill,  and  eyes  very  large;  tibia  short,  feathered  to  the 
joint;  toes  cleft  to  base;  wings  short,  rounded;  first  three  primaries  very  narrow, 
r'jd  much  attenuated ;  the  fourth  and  fifth  equal  and  longest;  tarsi  stout,  shorter 
ihan  the  middle  toe;  hind  nail  very  short,  conical,  not  extending  beyond  the  toe; 
tail  of  twelve  feathers. 

The  present  genus,  embracing  a  single  species,  the  American  Woodcock,  is  much 
like  Scolopax,  with  the  European  Woodcock  as  type,  in  color  and  external  appear- 
ance. The  most  striking  difference  is  seen  in  the  wings,  which  are  short,  rounded, 
the  fourth  and  fifth  primaries  longest,  and  the  outer  three  attenuated;  while  in  Scolo- 
pwt  the  wings  are  long,  the  first  primary  longest  and  more  attenuated. 


PHILOHELA  MINOE.  —  Cray. 

The  American  Woodcock. 

Scolopax  minor,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  VL  (1812)  40.  And.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1836) 
474. 

Rmticola  minor,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  194. 

Scolopax  (microptera)  minor,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  (1884)  194. 

Philohela  minor,  Gray.     List  Genera  (1841). 

Description. 

Bill  long,  compressed,  punctulated  and  corrugated  near  the  end ;  upper  mnndinle 
longer  than  the  under,  and  fitted  to  it  at  the  tip;  wings  moderate,  three  first  quills 
very  narrow;  tail  short;  legs  moderate;  eyes  inserted  unusually  distant  from  the 


Snipes. 

ot  margined  broadly  to 
y  present;  bill  generally 
Idle. 


ith  a  soft  skin,  the  edges 
per  bill  generally  bent  a 
rii  finely  porous,  and  per- 
of  sensibility  to  the  bill, 
,d  of  bill  is  usually  pitted; 
abbreviated;  the  hind  toe 
without  basal  membrane 


rype  Scolopax  minor.) 
ibia  short,  feathered  to  the 
ree  primaries  very  narrow, 
ongest;  tarsi  stout,  shorter 
sxtcnding  beyond  the  toe; 

nerican  "Woodcock,  is  much 
color  and  external  nppear- 
,  which  are  short,  rounded, 
attenuated;  while  in  Sco/o- 

re  attenuated. 


And.Om.Biog.,in.(1836) 


4)  194. 


Lr  the  end;  upper  mnndinle 

1  moderate,  three  first  quill? 

unusually  distant  from  the 


»:*: 


:fi. 


THE   AMERICAN   WOODCOCK. 


•i;u 


bill;  occiput  with  three  transverse  bnnds  of  bliick,  nhertmtliiK  with  three  othorn  rf 
pale  yeliowi^li-rufntis;  upper  parts  of  boily  varicKnted  with  pale-asliy,  nil'oui,  ni 
_villi)wi8h-re<l  of  various  .IukIcm,  aud  blaclt;  large  space  iu  fniut.ainl  Ihruat,  rciljisli- 
ashy;  lino  from  tlio  eye  to  tlio  bill,  and  another  oil  the  neck  below  the  eye,  browiiisli- 
black;  entire  under  parts  pule-rufoux,  brighter  on  the  sides  ami  under  wing  coverlji: 
quilN  ashy-brown;  tail  fentliers  browniHli-blnrk,  tipped  with  ashy,  darker  on  the 
upper  surface,  paler  and  fretiuently  white  on  the  under;  bill  light-brown,  jialer  auM 
yellowish  at  base;  legs  pale-reddish ;  iris  brown. 

'lotal  length,  about  eleven  inches;  wing,  five  and  a  quarter;  tail,  two  and  a 
qunrtci ;  bill,  two  and  a  ciiiartcr;  tnrsus,  one  and  a  ([uarter  indies. 

//'(6,  —  Eastern  North  America. 


"VTO  sportsman  will  over  forpjot  liis  first  "Woodcock  brought 
i-^  to  bag,  for  of  all  our  game  ])ir(ls  lumo  affords  more 
real  gratification  by  its  possession.  In  its  Imbits  it  is  so  ca- 
pricious, and  its  presence  in  a  given  locality  can  bo  counted 
upon  with  so  little  certainty,  that  a  day's  success  with  it  gives 
the  hunter  a  degree  of  satisfaction  that  is  derived  from  the 
pursuit  of  hardly  any  other  of  our  game  birds. 

The  Woodcock  is  the  jewel  of  our  woods,  and  a  genuine 
sportsman  would  think  nothing  of  a  twenty-mile  tramp  in 
the  worst  of  cover  if  there  were  a  reasonable  prospect  of 
meeting  this  delectable  bird  in  any  numbers.  1  have  often 
in  my  enthusiasm  for  field  sports  compared,  by  their  pecu- 
liarities and  habits,  tlie  various  game  birds  with  our  game 
fish,  and  the  only  fish  that  seems  to  be  worthy  of  naming 
in  connection  with  the  Woodcock  is  the  brook  trout ;  not 
the  little  iingcrling  that  one  takes  in  the  mountain  brooks 
and  rivulets,  but  the  monarch  of  the  llangeley  Lakes ;  a  six- 
ponnder,  it  is  true,  but  nevertheless  a  gemiine  brook  trout. 
The  degree  of  satisfaction  that  I  have  felt  in  conquering 
with  an  eight-ounce  rod  one  of  these  magnificent  fish  after 
a  half  hour's  struggle  is  equalled  only  by  tlie  gratification  I 
have  experienced  in  consigning  to  my  garae-bag  a  vigorous, 
quick-flying  autumn  Woodcock. 

"There  is  something  wondrously  like  reason  and  intuitive 
mathematics  in  the  knowledge  which  Woodcocks  pos.^ess  of 
the  difference  between  straight  lines  and  angles,  and  in  the 
adroit  feats  which  they  employ  wherewith  to  dodge  and 


4.32 


OUNITHOLOOY  AND  OOLOOV. 


.«     .-1 


?'S 


V 


haiiiboozlc  the  s|»ortP:ti:ui.  If  tlu^y  iiriivo  in  any  j^ivcn  lo- 
cality to-diiy,  they  are  thoroughly  awiuaiiited  to-inorrow 
with  the  best  feediiig-grouiids  in  those  parts  ;  and  you  will 
not  cati'h  them  wasting  time  and  wing-lal)or  in  any  circuitourt 
flights  thitlierward.  How  did  they  know  where  the  best 
grounds  were  ?  By  what  process  of  thinking  did  they  ar- 
rive at  the  fact  that  Marsh  A  contains  jnoro  delectable 
watcrpools,  more  penetrable  mn>l  and  fatter  and  longer 
worms  than  Marsh  15,  both  being  contiguous  to  theiradopted 
woods  and  covers,  and  both  of  them  equally  as  promising  to 
eyes  less  searching  than  a  AVoodcock's  ?  Why,  also,  does  ho 
fly  direct  and  in  a  straight  lino  to  them,  never  varying  his 
direction  more  than  twenty  yards,  even  when  disturbed  or 
frightened  'i "' 

Not  one  among  all  our  game  birds  is  there  that  is  so  ca- 
pricious as  the  Woi)dcock,  and  tho  sportsman  nnist  bo  some- 
what of  a  naturalist  to  hunt  it  with  success.  To-day  it  may  bo 
found  only  in  the  deepest  recesses  of  the  swamp;  to-morrow 
it  is  quietly  lying  in  a  dry  and  sheltered  spot  on  the  sunny 
hillside  among  tho  birches  and  blackberry  bushes ;  on  the 
day  following  it  may  bo  concealed  in  a  clump  of  alders  in 
the  middle  of  a  meadow,  or  it  may  bo  liiding  in  an  over- 
green  forest  or  cornfield. 

It  is  also  fickle  in  its  habits,  now  being  as  swift  of  wing 
as  a  flash  of  light,  anon  being  the  veriest  sluggard ;  some- 
times it  is  flushed  without  difficulty,  again  it  lies  so  close 
after  pitching  that  the  best  dogs  will  pass  it  by,  and  will 
spring  up  only  when  almost  kicked  out  of  its  cover. 

Ordinarily  one  must  be  a  quick  and  sure  shot  to  bag  the 
autumn  bird,  for  it  is  usually  found  in  thick  covert,  and  the 
moment  it  rises  above  tho  trees  is  off  and  away.  One  must 
shoot,  if  possible,  before  tho  bird  attains  tho  height  of  the 
trees,  and  snap-shots  are  the  rule  in  such  cases  if  tho  foli- 
age is  very  thick. 

In  my  own  shooting  I  usually  wait  until  the  bird  has  at- 
tained the  full  ascent  and  is  just  on  the  point  of  darting 


0  in  any  given  lo- 
laiutcd  to-morrow 
[vrtrt  ;  and  you  will 
)!•  in  any  circuit(>\H 
(W  whcro  tlie  best 
nking  did  they  ar- 
is  nioro  dclectablo 

fatter  and  longer 
onsto  their  adopted 
vUy  as  promising  to 

Why,  also,  does  he 
1,  never  varying  hi« 
L  when  disturbed  or 

3  there  that  is  bo  Ga- 
sman must  bo  some-, 
,8.    To-day  it  may  be 
5  swamp ;  tomorrow 
d  spot  on  the  smmy 
crry  bushes  ;  on  the 
clump  of  alders  in 
hiding  in  an  over- 
ling as  swift  of  wing 
iest  sluggard ;  somc- 
■ain  it  lies  so  close 
pass  it  by,  and  will 
of  its  cover, 
sure  shot  to  bag  the 
thick  covert,  and  the 
|nd  away.     One  must 
ms  the  height  of  the 
nch  cases  if  the  foli- 

Inntil  the  bird  has  at- 
Ithe  point  of  darting 


1 1  ■ 


SI 


i  <lr 


THE  AMKRtCAN   WOOnrOPK. 


43.1 


Hway  horizontally  ;  but  iiiaiiy  old  Piiort-iincii  <lrn\v  tri;.'g<'r 
..II  the  first  t'loar  Hijjht  of  thu  hinl.  It  is  a  sato  rule,  how- 
ever, to  iii'vor  give  tho  W.mhIcocU  iniicli  time,  for  to  tlii> 
vport,-iiiaii  \v1h>  hesitate.-*  — the  game  i^  lust. 

Tho  WodtU'oi'k  is  found  in  most  jiortiims  of  tin;  Kastern 
iiiited  States  and  in  Canaila.  On  I'rinet'  Kdward  l^lalld 
it  is  also  ({uitu  ahundant  in  houio  years,  and  i  have  made 
tine  hags  therti  in  the  swamim  and  swales  of  the  numerous 
streams  that  traverse!  the  island. 

It  is  one  of  the  earliest  of  our  spritig  arrivals  ;  a|)j)earini; 
in  New  I'lngland  hy  March  loth,  and  sometimes  nnieh 
earlier,  even  heforo  Kchruary  2.')th.  When  it  first  arrives, 
it  is  ])artially  gregarious ;  heing  fouixl  in  small  eomiiaides 
iif  I'lun*  or  live,  in  tho  area  of  a  few  rods.  It  fre(|ueiits  low 
swampy  woods  and  thiekets  at  tlds  season,  where  during  the 
(lay  it  remains  eoneoalod,  only  moving  about  in  search  of 
I'.iod  in  tho  night. 

It  begins  its  noctnrnal  rambles  by  early  twilight,  and  only 
retires  to  its  swamp  at  daybreak.  Jf  we  stand,  in  the  evening, 
in  tho  neighborhood  of  a  swamp,  or  low  tract  of  wood.e,  we 
sometimes  hear  two  or  three  individuals  juoving  abont  in  tho 
umlergjrowth  uttering  their  note,  vhljt-jwr,  c/n'ji-jxr,  <li>j>, 
sometimes  varying  it  to  h/aif,  ov/ilatf  fn,  hl<at  t(( ;  or  sec  them, 
against  tho  evening  sky,  flying  rapidly  from  one  swamp  to 
another.  Abont  the  first  week  in  April,  after  separating  into 
pairs,  the  AViJodeocks  begin  their  duties  of  incubation  ;  the 
female  gathers  together  a  few  leaves,  on  a  slight  elevation  in 
pome  n)eadow  or  swamp,  and  this  forms  the  nest.  I  have  no- 
ticed that  tlie  locality  most  often  selected  is  in  a  small  bunch 
of  bushes,  or  small  birches  or  alders,  located  sometimes  in  the 
midst  of  a  meadow.  The  eggs  arc  usually  four  in  nnndicr  : 
their  ground  color  is  a  rich  creamy  drab,  sometimes  with  a 
slightly  olive  tint,  and  they  arc  marked,  more  or  less  thickly, 
with  coarse  and  tine  spots  and  blotches  of  two  sliades  of  brown 
and  obscure  spots  of  lilac.  Tliey  are  less  pyriform  than  the 
eggs  of  any  other  birds  in  this  group,  being  often  almost 


-iV^f^pf^^'iy^-- 


434 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


exactly  ovoidal.  They  exhibit  great  variations  in  size,  sonne 
specimens  from  JJri.stol  County,  Massachusetts,  averaging 
1.80  by  1.25;  and  other.s  from  tlie  south  and  west  averag- 
ing only  1.4.")  by  1.15 ;  others  from  Western  Massachusetts 
average  about  1.50  by  1.20,  being  nearly  rounded  ;  and  oni' 
from  J.  P.  Norris,  found  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania, 
is  abruptly  pyriform,  being  in  dimensions  1.45  by  1.20  inch. 

Both  bii'ds  assist  in  iiicubation  ;  and  they  are  bo  unwill- 
ing to  leave  the  nest  at  this  time,  that  T  have  known  of  an 
ox-teain  being  frequently  driven  within  a  foot  of  a  bird 
without  starting  her  from  the  nest,  and  have  heard  of  in- 
stances of  the  eggs  being  removed  from  beneath  the  sitting 
bird  without  her  taking  flight.  The  food  of  the  Woodcock 
consists  of  worms  and  animalcula?,  which  it  secures  by 
thrusting  its  bill  into  the  soft  earth  and  beneath  the  dead 
leaves  and  grass  in  swamps  and  other  wet  places.  I  have 
also  found  spiders  in  its  stomach. 

The  holes  where  the  bill  is  thus  thrust  in  the  earth  are 
called,  by  sportsmen,  "  borings ; "  and  the  presence  of  the 
bird  is  detected  by  them,  as  none  of  our  wood-birds  make 
any  similar  "  signs." 

In  the  latter  part  of  July  and  during  the  month  of 
August,  while  the  birds  are  moulting,  they  retire  to  the 
most  secluded  localities  ;  and  it  is  difficult  to  find  them  at 
that  season.  In  September,  during  the  continuance  of  dry 
weather,  they  frequent  cornfields  and  ditches ; .  and  I  have 
seen  thein  seai'ching  for  worms  in  the  mud  in  a  sink  drain 
within  a  few  yards  of  a  dwelling-house. 

At  this  season  they  are  also  found  in  swales  and  meadows. 
and  in  such  localities  they  are  very  easily  shot,  their  flight 
having  none  of  the  vivacity  that  it  displays  in  the  woods 
and  swamps. 


)GY. 


iations  in  size,  some 
cliiisetts,  averaging 
h  and  west  averag- 
stern  Massacluisetts 
f  rounded  ;  and  oni; 
lunty,  Pennsylvania, 
ns  1.45  by  1.20  inch, 
they  are  so  unwill- 
[  have  known  of  an 
in  a  foot  of  a  hinl 
(I  have  heard  of  in- 
n  beneatii  the  sitting 
)od  of  the  Woodcock 
which   it   secures  by 
(id  beneath  tiie  dead 
■  wet  places.     I  have 

rust  in  the  earth  are 

the  presence  of  tlu! 

our  wood-birds  make; 

uring   the   moiith   of 

ir,  they  retire  to  the 

ficulttofind  them  at 

lie  continuance  of  dry 

ditches;. and  I  have 

mud  in  a  sink  drain 

e. 
swales  and  meadows, 

apily  shot,  their  flight 

displays  iu  the  woods 


72 


^   3 
.„  o 

'A  ^ 


72 


■Ji 


i:j:> 


»«ir-> 


m 


WILSON  S  SNIPE. 


40;-) 


GALLINAGO,  Leach. 


Gray.     (Type   Scnhpnx 


Gallinago,    'Leacii,   Catal.   British   Birds  (1B16). 
mnjnr,  L.) . 

Lower  portion  of  the  tibia  bnre  of  feathers,  scutel'.ate  before  and  behind,  roticu- 
lated  laterally  like  the  tarsi ;  nail  of  hind  toe  slender,  extending  beyond  the  too : 
hill  depressed  at  the  tip;  middle  toe  longer  than  tarsus;  tail  with  twelve  to  sixteen 
leathers. 

The  more  slender  body,  longer  legs,  partly  naked  tibia,  and  other  features,  dis- 
tinguish this  genus  from  Scohpax  or  Philohela. 


GALLINAGO  WILSONII.  —  Bonaparte. 

The  Snipe;  Wilson's  Snipe;  English  Snipe. 

Scohpax  WiUonii,  Nuttall.     Man.,  II.  186.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog,  III.  (1835)822, 
V.  (1839)  583.     76.,  Birds  Amer.,  V.  (1842)  339. 
Gallinago  Wi&onii,  Bonaparte.    List  (1838). 
Scohpax  (jallinago,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VI.  (1812)  18.    Not  of  Linnieus. 

Description. 

Bill  long,  compressed,  flattened,  and  slightly  expanded  towards  the  tip,  pustu- 
lated in  its  terminal  half;  wings  rather  long;  legs  moderate ;  tail  short;  entire  upper 
parts  brownish-black;  everj'  feather  spotted  and  widely  edged  with  light-rufous, 
yellowish-brown,  or  ashy-white;  back  and  rump  transversely  barred  and  spotted 
with  the  same;  a  line  from  the  base  of  the  bill  over  the  top  of  the  head;  throat  and 
neck  before,  dull  reddish-ashy;  wing  feather  marked  with  dull  brownish-black; 
otlier  under  parts  white,  with  transverse  bars  of  brownish-black  on  the  sides,  axil- 
lary feathers  and  under  wing  coverts  and  under  tail  coverts ;  quills  brownish-black , 
outer  edge  of  first  primary  white ;  tail  glossy  brownish-black,  widely  tipped  with 
Iright-rufous,  paler  at  the  tip,  and  with  a  subterminal  narrow  band  of  black ;  outer 
feathers  of  tail  paler,  frequently  nearly  white,  and  barred  with  black  throughout 
their  length;  bill  brown,  yellowish  at  base,  and  darker  towards  the  end;  legs  dark- 
brown ;  iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  about  ten  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  five;  tail,  two  and  a  quarter; 
bill,  two  and  a  half;  tarsus,  one  and  a  quarter  inch. 

Bab.  —  Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America;  California  (Mr.  Szabo). 

The  Wilson's  Snipe,  or  the  Engli.sh  Snipe  as  it  is  often, 
though  improperly  called,  is  one  of  the  most  generally  dis- 
tributed of  our  waders,  being  found  in  almost  every  portion 
of  the  Union  at  some  period  of  the  year. 

"With  us  in  the  spring  migrations  the  Snipe  is  as  a  rule 
ill  rather  poor  condition,  although  I  have  occasionally  shot 
specimens  that  were  as  fat  as  the  best  autumn  birds. 


436 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


I!  > 


But  no  matter  wliat  the  condition  may  be,  every  sports- 
man, as  soon  as  the  snows  of  winter  have  melted  away  and 
the  icy  fetters  of  tlie  ])onds  and  Ijrooks  are  removed,  is  on 
the  alert  for  the  earliest  arrival  of  Snipe,  and  when  the  first 
birds  are  seen  in  the  new  grass  and  rushes  the  wel(!oine 
news  is  soon  spread  among  the  fraternity  and  the  sliort 
season  is  improved.  I  confess  to  lool<ing  forwaril  every 
si)ring  with  the  greatest  eagerness  for  the  arrival  of  tliis, 
one  of  my  favorite  game  birds. 

The  American  Snipe,  as  I  think  it  should  be  called — for 
it  is  the  American  Snipe  j')a;'  excellence  and  different  from 
the  English  Snipe — is  found  usually  in  small  detached  flocks 
or  "  wisps."  A  number  of  the  birds  migrate  together 
both  in  spring  and  in  autumn,  although  not  associated  in 
just  what  are  called  Hocks.  I  liave  repeatedly  found  eight 
or  ten  scattered  birds  on  a  meadow  in  the  morning  wheh 
not  a  single  Snipe  could  be  seen  on  the  preceding  afternoon. 
I  have,  however,  in  Is'orthern  Maine  in  the  fall  seen  large 
numbers  of  Snipe  in  small  flocks  of  eight  or  ten  flying  ,"bout 
precisely  like  so  many  Plover,  or  yellow-legs,  and  have  re- 
peatedly called  them  down  within  shot  by  imitating  the 
whistle  of  the  yellow-legs. 

The  localities  that  are  most  often  frequented  by  the  Snipe 
in  the  spring  are  fi'esh-water  meadows  in  which  there  are 
numerous  spring-holes  and  brooks.  In  the  autumn  they  are 
found  in  almost  any  tracts  where  tliere  are  damp  or  wet 
places  such  as  low  pastures,  meadows,  and  the  edges  of 
swamps. 

I  am  unable  to  say  why  it  is,  but  there  are  certain  portions 
or  tracts  of  meadows  upon  which  Snipe  are  rarely  found, 
although  they  seem  to  ofFer  every  temptation,  so  far  as  mud- 
holes  and  mucky  soils  are  concerned,  for  them  to  alight. 

They  are  also  often  found  in  swamps  and  wet  pastures. 
and  I  have  frequently  shot  them  in  cornfields  when  huntintr 
for  Woodcock,  particularly  if  those  fields  were  situated  near 
the  meadows  and  possessed  a  moist  soil. 


WILSON'S  SNIPa 


4.'5( 


I  know  of  none  among  our  other  pranieblrdf^  tlint  are  more 
uncertain  and  fickle  in  tlieir  liabits.  On  une  day  a  tract  nf 
meadows  will  seem  to  be  almost  crowded  with  them,  and 
on  the  next  not  a  bird  is  to  bo  seen.  Sometimes  they  will 
lie  so  well  before  the  dog  that  every  bird  in  the  meadow 
may  be  picked  up  consecutively  and  saved  ;  while  at  other 
times  they  are  so  wild  that  the  single  disch'U'ge  of  a, gnu 
will  send  every  Snipe  "  scaaping "  high  into  the  air  ami 
away  to  other  meadows. 

Often  have  1  when  hunting  wild  Ducks,  while  stationed 
out  in  the  meadows  in  my  "  stand,''  early  in  the  morning, 
heard  and  seen  scores  of  Snipe  around  me  in  the  grass  and 
sedge  feeding  and  mnvhig  about.  Yet  when  the  sun  had 
risen,  and  further  chance  for  work  among  the  Ducks  was 
not  to  be  expected,  on  searching  for  the  numy  Snijje  I  had 
seen  but  an  hour  or  two  before,  and  which  1  su[i[)osed  were 
scattered  in  the  meadows  about  me,  not  a  bird  was  to  be  dis- 
covered. They  had  [)ped  to  feed  in  the  night  and  at 
sunrise  had  moved  on. 

In  the  spring  migrations  while  with  us,  they  appear  to 
be  pairing;  and,  although  associating  in  small  detached 
riocks,  they  are  most  often  found  in  pairs  by  theiiiselves.  It 
is  during  this  season  that  the  male  performs  his  well-known 
gyrations  in  the  air  ;  he  ascends  to  a  considerable  height, 
early  in  the  evening,  and,  almost  in  the  manner  of  the 
Night-hawk,  dives  toward  the  earth,  uttering  his  bleating 
cry,  and  peculiar  rumbling  sound  with  his  extended  wings. 
The  Snipe  forms  a  loose  nest  of  grass  and  a  few  leaves,  on 
the  ground,  in  a  bog  or  wet  swampy  thicket ;  and  about 
the  tirst  week  in  May  the  female  lays  three  or  four  eggs. 
These  are  more  pyriform  in  shape  than  those  of  the 
Woodcock,  and  average  about  1.44  by  1.15  inch  in  di- 
mensions. Their  color  is  an  olivaceous  drab,  marked  with 
spots  of  brown,  which  are,  at  the  greater  end,  confluent 
into  blotches,  which  almost  entirely  hide  the  ground- 
color. 


4:58 


ORNITHOL(;OY   AND   OOLOGY. 


*'Kl. 


411 


Tlio  Snipe  lias  been  known  to  breed  in  Massachusetts  ;  but 
the  occurrence  is  very  rare,  and  can  be  regai'ded  oidy  as  ac- 
cidental. It  breeds  in  Maine  and  further  north,  and  in 
Wisconsin  and  otlier  Western  States  of  that  latitude  it  breeds, 
I  undei'.stand,  not  unconnnojdy.  By  the  25th  of  August  it 
returns  to  the  meadows  of  ^'ew  England  in  small  parties  of 
three  or  four ;  but  it  is  not  abundant  nmch  before  the  10th 
or  15th  of  (September,  and  then  is  not  found  in  great  num- 
bers, unless  we  have  had  two  or  three  sharp  frosts. 

I  am  often  asked  what  my  opinion  is  as  to  the  best  dog 
for  snipe-hunting.  I  nmst  confess  that  generally  speaking 
there  is  not  much  choice  between  a  good  setter  and  pointer, 
although  my  preference  certainly  lies  with  the  latter.  With 
a  fast-working  yet  steady  and  staunch  pointer  I  have  made 
my  best  bags,  and  I  liavo  shot  over  some  very  good  setters. 

Setters  ai'c  in  my  opinion  less  desirable  than  pointers  in 
wet,  muddy,  boggy  meadows.  One  objection  to  them  is  that 
theii"  thick  coats  become  saturated  with  water  and  mud,aiul 
if  the  weather  is  cold  they  suffer  considerably  from  the  ex- 
posure, and  if  they  are  taken  in  the  carriage  after  the  day's 
sport  is  ended  they  make  a  sad  mess. 

The  pointer,  on  the  contrary,  in  consequence  of  his  short 
coat  of  hair,  dries  off  quickly  and  does  not  cause  nor  suffer 
discomfort.  The  snipe-dog,  liowever,  should  always  be  a 
good  retriever.  Often  is  a  bird  shot  on  the  opposite  side 
of  a  wide  ditch,  or  river,  or  bog  from  the  sportsman,  and 
unless  the  dog  can  be  depended  upon  to  retrieve  he  is  al- 
most useless.  I  have  several  times  been  obliged  to  strip  and 
swim  across  a  river  to  recover  a  Snipe  that  liad  fallen  on  the 
other  side,  and  it  requires  but  few  such  experiences  wh^a 
the  water  is  barely  above  the  freezing-point  to  convince  one 
of  the  importance  of  using  oidy  a  good  retriever. 

The  Snipe  remains  with  us  in  New  England,  in  the  au- 
tumn, until  quite  severe  freezing  weather.  In  fact  I  have 
shot  them  when  the  ground  was  frozen  hard,  a  few  spring- 
lioles  only  being  open. 


lY. 


OBNITHOLOUY    ANU    OOLDGY. 


i:;'.) 


klassachusetts ;  but 
;('arded  only  as  uc- 
iicr  north,  and  in 
it  latitude  it  breeds, 
25tli  of  August  it 
in  small  parties  of 
icb  before  tlie  lOtli 
pund  in  great  nuni- 
arp  frosts. 
as  to  the  best  dog 
generally  speaking 
I  setter  and  pointer, 
th  the  latter.  With 
winter  I  have  made 
e  very  good  setters, 
ble  than  pointers  in 
etion  to  them  is  that 
water  and  mud,  and 
^lerably  from  the  ex- 
•riage  after  the  day's 

equence  of  his  short 

;  not  cause  nor  suffer 

should  always  be  a 

m  the  opposite  side 

the  sportsman,  and 
.  to  retrieve  he  is  al- 
ii obliged  to  strip  and 

at  had  fallen  on  the 
ch  experiences  wh^a 
point  to  convince  one 

i 

I  retriever. 
England,  in  the  an- 
ther.    In  fact  I  have 
hard,  a  few  spring- 


JLVCKOKIUMPIIUS,  Lkach. 

.V((0)w7jum/;A!M,  "Lkach,  Cutul.  Urit.  Hird.s  1810."  Gray.  [Scolop<tx  gi-ittn.) 
Gmelin. 

General  appearance  of  Gallinntjo.  Tarsi  longer  than  middle  toe ;  a  short  web 
between  the  base  of  outer  and  middle  toe. 

The  membrane  at  the  base  of  the  toes  will  at  once  distinguish  this  genus  from 
Gallinago,  though  there  are  other  characters  involved. 


MACEOSHAMPHUS  OEISEUS.  — (Cm.)  Leach. 

The  Red-breasted  Snipe ;  Gray  Snipe. 

Seohpax  grisea,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  658,  No.  27. 
Scokpax  Noveboracensis,Vfi\aon,    Am.  Orn.,  VII.  (1813)  46.    Aud.  Om.  Biog., 
rV.  (1838)  285.   lb.,  Birds  Amer.,  VI.  (1843)  10. 

Descriition. 

Bill  long,  compressed,  flattened,  and  expanded  towards  the  end,  and,  in  the  same 
space,  punctulated  and  corrugated ;  wing  rather  long;  shaft  of  first  primary  strong; 
tail  short;  legs  rather  long. 

^(/«&.  — Upper  parts  variegated  with  dark-ashy,  pale-rcddisli,  and  black,  the  lat- 
ter predominating  on  the  back;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  white,  tlie  hitter 
spotted  and  barred  transversely  with  black;  under  parts  pale  ferruginous-rod,  with 
numerous  points  and  circular  spots  of  brownish-black  on  the  neck  before,  and 
transverse  bands  of  the  same  on  the  sides  and  under  tail  coverts;  axillary  featliers 
and  under  wing  coverts  white,  spotted  and  transversely  barred  with  black;  quills 
brownish-black;  shafl  of  first  primary  white;  tail  brownish-bhick,  with  numerous 
transverse  bands  of  ashy-white,  and  frequently  tinged  with  ferruginous,  especially 
on  the  two  middle  feathers;  bill  greenish-black;  legs  dark  greenish-brown. 

Younger.  — Entire  under  parts  dull-white,  strongly  marked  with  dull-ashy  on 
the  neck  in  ft-ont,  and  transverse  bands  of  the  same  on  the  sides;  axillary  feathers 
and  under  wing  coverts  white,  spotted  with  brownish-black;  upper  parts  lighter 
than  in  the  adult. 

Total  length,  about  ten  inches;  wing,  live  and  three-quarters;  tail,  two  and  a 
quarter;  bill,  two  and  a  quarter;  tarsus,  one  and  a  quarter  inch. 

Uab. — Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America. 

This  handsome  bird  is  found  in  small  numbers  in  the 
marshes  along  our  coast,  in  the  spring  and  autumn  migra- 
tions. It  seldom  penetrates  into  the  inland  waters  of  Now 
England,  but  prefers  the  salt  marslies.  I  think  that  it  is 
much  more  of  a  beach  bird  than  the  Common  Snipe  ;  for  it 
is  often  found  on  the  beach  of  the  seashore,  while  thu 
other  is  never  seen  there,  so  far  as  my  experience  goes. 


140 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Suh-FumUy  Tringinm;. —  The  Smidpipers. 


Hill  shorter  than  the  naked  lep,  widened  or  rather  spoon-shaped  at  tlie  end,  with 
(he  cdRcs  not  bent  over;  roof  of  nmuth  excavated  to  the  tip;  no  grcavo  along  th« 
culmen;  ear  behind  the  eye ;  tail  without  bands? 


:\       -.1 


**K 


TRINGA,  LiUN^us. 

TVin^n,  LiNN.KUS.    Syst.  Nat.,  (1735).    (Type  T.  canu<u5,  L.) 

Description. 

Size  moderate  or  small ;  general  form  adapted  to  dwelling  on  the  shoras  of  both 
unit  and  fresh  waters,  and  subsisting  on  minute  or  small  animals,  in  pursuit  of 
which  they  carefully  examine  and  probe  with  their  bills  sandy  or  muddy  deposits 
and  growths  of  aquatic  plants,  rocks,  or  other  localities;  flight  rather  rapid,  but 
not  very  strong  nor  long  continued;  bill  moderate,  or  rather  long,  straight  or 
8light'y  cur\'ed  towards  the  end,  which  is  genornlly  somewhat  expnnded  and  flat; 
longitudinal  >,T00ves,  in  both  mandibles,  distinct,  and  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the 
bill;  wings  long,  pointed;  the  tii-st  primary  longest;  tertiaries  long;  secondaries 
short,  with  their  tips  obliquely  incised;  tail  short;  legs  moderate,  or  rather  long, 
slender;  the  lower  portion  of  the  tibia  naked,  and  with  the  tarsus  covered  in  front 
and  behind  with  transverse  scales;  hind  toe  very  small ;  fore  toes  rather  slender, 
with  a  membranous  margin,  scaly  and  flattened  underneath,  free  at  base. 

This  genus  comprises  a  large  number  of  species  of  all  parts  of  the  world, 
some  of  which  are  very  extensively  dift'used,  especially  during  the  season  of  their 
southern  or  autumnal  migration.  Generally,  these  birds  are  met  with  in  flocks,  fi-e- 
quenting  every  description  o"^  locality  near  wjiter.  and  industriously  searching  for 
the  minute  animals  on  which  they  feed.  The  species  of  the  United  States  are  mi- 
gratori',  rearing  their  young  in  the  north,  and,  in  autumn  and  winter,  extending  to 
the  confines  of  the  Republic  and  into  South  America.  The  colors  of  the  spring  and 
autumnal  plumage  are  different  in  nearly  all  species,  though  that  of  the  two  sexes  is 
ver>'  similar. 

TEINGA    CANUTUS.  — Zinn(m. 
The  Gray-back;  Bobin  Snipe. 

Frlnga  camitus,  Linnreus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  251. 

Tringa  cinerea,  Gmelin.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  678.  Wils.  Am.  Oin.,  TTl 
(1813)  36. 

Trmf/a  islandica,  Audubon.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  ISO.  lb.,  Birds  Am.,  V. 
:i842)  254. 

Tringa  rvfa,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VIL  (1813)  57. 


THE   GRAY-BACK. 


441 


DivsrniiTioN. 

Lar^'u;  bilj  strnih'lit,  rather  longer  lliaii  tlif  lieuJ,  coinpresscd,  slightly  enlar^td 
«t  th«  tip,  ujiper  muiidible  with  the  iiu.sai  (jruove  extundiii^,'  to  near  tlie  tiji;  leg* 
iiindtroti;;  tibia  witli  is  lower  third  jiart  Halted;  laeli  mudcrutu,  w'lnti  Idhk;  tail 
short;  to"9  free  at  base,  flattened  heneatli,  widtdy  murj;iiied;  hind  toe  slender,  small 

entire  upper  parts  Iif{ht-gray,  witli  lam lale,  linear,  and  irregular  spcits  of  blaek. 

and  others  of  pale-reddish;  rump  and  upper  tail  eoverts  while,  with  trau.tverse  nar- 
row bands  and  cresccnt-shuped  spots  of  black;  under  par's  li^;ht  browniah-reil. 
paler  ill  the  middle  of  the  abdomen;  under  tail  eoverts,  tibial  feathers,  tlanks,  axil- 
lary feathers,  and  under  winj;  coverts  white,  generally  with  spots  and  transverse 
bars  of  brownish-blaek ;  quills  brownish-black,  with  their  shaiVs  while;  luil  li^ht 
(irownish-cinereous  (without  spots  or  burs);  all  the  feathers  edged  with  white,  and 
frequently'  with  a  second  sub-edging  of  dark-brown;  bill  browuish-black;  legs 
greenish-black. 

Young  and  Winter  Plumaye.  —  Upper  parts  brownish-ashy,  darker  on  the  back, 
tvery  feather  having  a  sub-terminal  edging  of  brownish-blaek,  and  tipped  with  dull 
ashy-white;  rump  white,  with  crescents  of  black;  under  parts  iliill  ashy-white, 
nearly  pure  on  the  abdomen,  but  with  numerous  longitudinal  lines,  and  small  spots 
(jf  dark-brown  on  the  breast  and  neck;  sides  with  creaceiit-shaped  and  irregular 
spots  of  brownish-black;  an  obscure  line  of  dull-white  over  and  behind  the  eye. 

Total  length  (from  tip  of  hill  to  end  of  tail),  about  ten  inches;  wing,  six  and  a 
half;  tail,  two  and  a  half;  bill  from  gape,  one  and  a  halt;  tarsus,  one  and  a  quarter 
inches.    Female  larger? 

This  is  the  largest  of  the  Sandpipers  of  the  United  States,  and  appears  to  be 
restricted  to  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  in  this  division  of  the  continent  of  America. 
Wb  have  never  seen  it  from  the  Pacific  Coast. 

In  the  United  States,  this  bird  is  known  as  the  Ued-breasted  Snipe,  or  sometimes 
as  the  Gray-backed  Snipe,  though  wu  have  never  heard  the  name  "  Knot"  applied 
to  it,  which  appears  to  be  a  common  appellation  of  the  same  species  in  Europe,  and 
is  given  by  American  authors.  This  is  one  of  the  few  species  of  birds  which  appears 
to  be  absolutely  identical  with  a  species  of  Europe,  and  is  of  very  extensive  diliu 
sion  over  the  world,  especially  in  the  season  of  southern  migration. 

The  bird  has  received  a  variet_v  of  names,  of  which  the  very  lirst  appears  to  be 
that  adopted  at  the  bead  of  this  article. 


This  species  appears  in  New  England  only  in  the  laigra 
tions  in  spring  and  autumn.     It  is  only  seen  on  the  shore, 
and  with  us  only  in  small  flocks  of  eight  or  ten.     I  have 
had  no  opportunities  of  observing  its  liabits,  and  will  give 
tlie  description  by  Wilson  :  — 

"  lu  activity  it  is  superior  to  the  preceding,  and  traces  the  flow 
iiig  and  recession  of  the  waves  along  ...e  sandy  beach  with  great 
nimbleness,  wading  and  searching  among  the  loosened  particles  for 
its  favorite  food,  which  is  a  small,  thin,  oval,  bivalve  shell-fish,  of  a 
white  or  pearl  color,  and  not  larger  than  the  seed  of  au  apple. 


442 


ORNIinOLOOY   AND  OOLOGY. 


I  i  ; 


These  usually  Ilo  at  a  slinrt  (l('|)fli  below  the  surface ;  hi.t,  in  some 
plac^es,  aro  seen  at  low  water  in  lieajis,  liko  masses  of  wet  grain,  in 
(luantiticH  of  more  than  a  hustliul  together.  During  the  latter  part 
of  summer  and  autumn,  these  minute  sliell-fish  constitute  the  food 
of  almost  all  those  busy  flocks  that  run  with  such  activity  along  tin; 
sands,  among  the  flowing  and  retreating  waves.  They  are  univer- 
sally swallowed  whole ;  but  the  action  of  the  bird's  stonuicli, 
a.<8isted  by  the  shells  themselves,  soon  reduces  them  in  a  pulp.  If 
we  may  judge  from  their  effects,  they  must  be  extrcuiely  nutritious  ; 
for  almost  all  those  tribes  that  feed  oi:  them  are  at  this  season  mere 
lumps  of  fat.  Digging  for  these  in  the  hard  sand  would  be  a  work 
of  considerable  labor ;  whereas,  when  the  particles  are  loosened  by 
the  flowing  of  the  sea,  the  birds  collect  them  with  great  ease  and 
dexterity.  It  is  amusing  to  observe  with  what  adroitness  they  fol- 
low and  elude  the  tumbling  surf,  while,  at  the  same  time,  they  seem 
wholly  intent  on  collecting  their  food. 

•'  The  Ash-colored  Sandpiper,  the  subject  of  our  present  account, 
uihabits  both  Europe  and  America.  It  has  been  seen  in  great 
numbers  on  the  Seal  Islands,  near  Chatteau.x  Bay ;  is  said  to  con- 
tinue the  whole  summer  in  Hudson's  Bay,  and  breeds  there.  Mr. 
Pennant  suspects  that  it  also  breeds  in  Denmark,  and  says  that 
they  appear  in  vast  flocks  on  the  Flintshire  shore  during  the  winter 
season.  With  us  they  are  also  migratory,  being  only  seen  in 
spring  and  autumn.  They  are  plump  birds ;  and,  by  those  accus- 
tomed to  the  sedgy  taste  of  this  tribe,  are  esteemed  excellent 
mting." 


ARQUATELLA,  Daird. 

TEIN6A   MASITIMA.  — £n<nmcA. 

The  Purple  Sandpiper. 

IWn^ra  mnnYJnii,  Brunnich.  Cm.  Bor.  (1764),  54.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  115.  Aud. 
Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  558.    lb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  261. 

Description. 

Bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  compressed;  nasal  groove  long;  winps 
long;  tail  short,  rounded;  legs  moderate;  toes  free  at  base,  flattened  underneath  and 
slightly  margined;  hind  toe  small;  entire  head  and  upper  parts  dark  smoky-brown 


THK  CUllLEW   HANUPII'ER. 


443 


wllh  a  pnrplo  and  violut  tiiiKc,  utroni^pst  cjii  tli.'  bnck  and  »rapiilnr<<!  nmlor  pnrti 
from  the  breast  wLite,  (,'i'npriilly  with  lon^itinliiiiil  sput  of  dnrk-niliy  j  wiriu'  r(.\irfii 
more  or  less  i'il>,'«;il  and  tiplicd  witli  wliite;  ([udln  brjwninli-lilii.  k,  iMlK''d  Willi  wliili'; 
middle  tail  leatlmrs  bru\viii>li-black,  outer  tVatlurs  li^,'litei,  wilh  tln.ir  sbiilN  white; 
uxillaries  and  under  winj}  coverts  white;  bill  yellow  ut  banc,  dark  ut  lip;  U-kh 
yellow. 

Total  length,  about  eit,'ht  to  nine  inches;  win/,',  live;  tail,  two  and  a  half;  lidl 
from  gape,  one  aiid  a  (piarter;  farsiis,  one  inch;  iris  orange. 

JJiib.  —  Kaslirn  North  America;  Kurope. 

This  Species  is  not  iincomiuoii  on  our  shores  tluiiiii:i'  lliu 
spring  and  autumn  migrations,  where  thijy  lire  aclivi;  ;iiid 
busy  in  their  search  for  small  shell-lisli,  and  crustaeeuiis, 
wliich  constitute  thoir  principal  food.  Thry  have  all  tlu 
characteristics  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper  wliile  with  us,  and, 
from  their  preference  to  rocky  beaches  and  shores,  are  often 
called  Rock  Snipes.  They  proceed  to  the  most  northern 
])ortions  of  the  continent  to  breed,  where,  according  to  Dr. 
Richardson,  they  lay  four  eggs,  which  are  "  pyriform,  six- 
teen and  a  half  lines  long,  and  an  inch  across  at  their  great- 
est breadth.  Their  color  is  yellowish-gray,  interspersed 
with  small  irregular  spots  of  pale  brown,  crowded  at  tho 
obtuse  end,  and  rare  at  the  other." 


Nutt.  Man,  II.  115.    Aud. 
261. 


TSIII6A   SUBABQUATA — Tenm. 

The  Curlew  Sandpiper. 

Tnnga  subnr(fuata,  Tcmm.  Man.,  II.  (1820)  609.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  104.  Aud. 
Cm.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  444.    lb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  209. 

Descriition. 

Bill  rather  longer'than  the  head,  slender,  compressed,  slightly  curved  towards 
the  tip,  which  is  somewhat  expanded;  both  mandibles  grooved ;  wing  long,  pointed; 
tail  short;  legs  long,  slender;  toes  moderate,  marginated  and  flattened  underneath. 
Upper  parts  brownish-black,  nearly  every  feather  edged  and  spotted  win  bright 
yellowish-red,  rump  ashy-brown,  upper  coverts  of  the  tail  white,  with  transverse 
bands  of  brownish- black;  wings  ashy-b  iwn,  shafts  of  primaries  white;  under  pails 
fine  dark-yellowish  rufous;  sides,  axillarics,  and  under  tail  coverts,  white;  under 
surface  of  wing  whitoi  tail  pale  brownish-ashy,  with  a  greenish  gloss;  bill  and  leg's 
greenish-brown. 

Younij.  —  Upper  parts  much  more  ashy,  and  with  little  of  the  red  of  the  preced- 
ing; under  parts  entirely  dull-white,  tinged  with  yellowish  on  the  breast  and  sides; 
an  obscure  line  over  the  eye  ashy-white;  outer  feathers  of  the  tail  nearly  white. 


'114 


OKNl'lHOLOCjy    AND   OOLOGY. 


Total  li'nKth,  about  pIbIiI  nnil  a  linlf  tn  iiiiU'  inili<'»;  wirik'i  live;  tail,  two  and  t 
'liinrtcr;  liill,  Iroin  K»I>*''  """  "■"'  "  '(xortiT  lo  miu  and  a  hull';  tar.'<ii!t,  oiiu  to  <mi'  uiid 
I  i|iiHrt('r  Inc'lii'n;  iriH  tia/til. 

Hub.  —  Atlantic  cuuDt  uf  the  United  Stato,  rare ;  Kuropo ;  Aaia ;  Africa. 

This  i.s  uiiiJoubtcdly  tlio  inont  rare  of  nil  our  slioro  birds. 
1  fouiid  a  .single  Hpecimoii  in  a  imiicli  of  Saiid|)i|H;r.s  shot  on 
(Ja|K.'  Ann,  in  thu  aulumn  of  IHO."),  foi"  salo  in  Iho  principal 
market  in  Boston.  This  is  the  only  instance  that  has  come 
to  my  own  knowledge  of  its  being  found  here.  Audubon 
speaks  of  two ;  and  other  writers,  of  a  few  more  in  diflbront 
years. 


f! 


"c; 


C 


TBINGA    ALPINA   var.    AMERICANA.  -  OiMin. 

The  Bed-backed  Sandpiper;  Grass-bird. 

Tringaatpina,  Liiimcus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1706)249.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VII.  (1818) 
25.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  lUU.  And.  Urn.  liiug.,  III.  (1836)  CtsO.  /&.,  Birds  Am.,  V 
(1842)  2G6. 

Descuiptiom. 

Hill  longer  than  the  head,  wide  at  liiisc,  curved,  slifrhtly  widened  and  flattened 
towards  the  end;  Da.ial  groove  and  anutlur  groove  in  tlio  under  mandible  long 
and  very  distinct;  wings  long;  tail  short,  with  the  two  ni'ddle  leathers  longest  and 
pointed;  legs  rather  lung  and  Hlundcr,  lower  halt'  uf  the  tibia  naked;  toes  moderate, 
free  at  base,  tiatteuud  undorneatli  and  sliglitly  iniiiginuted;  claws  much  compressed, 
hind  toe  small;  upper  parts  yellowish-red,  mi.ied  with  ashy,  and  every  feather  hav- 
ing a  lanceolate,  ovate,  or  narrow  spot  in  the  centre,  most  numerous  on  the  back  and 
rump;  front,  sides  of  the  head,  and  entire  under  ]iarts,  ashy-wliite ;  nearly  pure-white 
on  the  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts;  a  wide  tranverse  band  of  black  across  the 
lower  part  of  the  breast ;  neck  before  and  upper  part  of  the  breast  with  narrow 
longitudinal  spots  of  brownish-black;  under  wing  coverts  and  axillary  feathers 
white;  quills  light  ushy-brown,  darker  on  their  outer  edges,  with  their  sliatls  white; 
toil  feathers  light  ashy-brown;  middle  feathers  darker,  outer  nearly  white;  bill  and 
legs  brownish-black;  sexes  alike;  iris  durk-hazel. 

Winter  IHumtuje..  —  Kntire  upper  parts  dark-ashy,  neaily  black  on  the  rump,  and 
upper  tail  coverts;  throat,  abdomen,  axillaries  and  under  wing  coverts,  white; 
breast  pale-ashy,  with  longitudinal  lines  of  dark-brown. 

Total  length,  eight  tu  eight  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  five;  tail,  two  and  a  quar- 
ter, bill,  trom  cape,  one  ond  a  half;  tarsus,  one  inch. 

Uab,  — Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America. 

f 

This  is  a  rather  abundant  species  on  our  shores  in  the 
spring  and  autumn  migrations.  It  appears  here  about 
the  last  week  in  April  or  first  week  in  May,  and  frequents 


TIIK    PK.f'TOIlAL   SANDPirKll. 


41.-. 


[w;  AniiM  Africa. 


tlio  liojxch,  wliiTi'  it  1ms  nil   ilic  Imliits  and  activity  nf  tli.- 

other  Siiiiil|>i|H'rs,  niiiiiiiij^  aloii^  tl lire  cil"  tho  siirf,  ami 

git'aiiiiig  ill  tli<>  vvavi'H  and  on  tlii>  sands  its  food  of  small 
niarino  animals.  It  mixes  with  tin;  othtT  Hpfcics,  Itiit  is 
readily  distinguished  from  them  hy  tlio  hri^Mitiiess  of  its 
pliimago.  It  is  in  l)C8t  condition  for  cabinet  preservation 
in  the  vernal  migration.  It  passes  leisurely  to  the  most 
iiorthoru  scctiouH  of  the  continent,  where  it  passes  the 
hreediiig  season.  Maggillivray  describes  the  breeding  haliits 
as  follows :  — 

"  The  nest  is  a  sliijht  hollow  in  a  dry  place,  having  a  few  bits  of 
withered  henth  and  grass  irregularly  plactid  in  it.  The  eggs,  four 
in  numl)er,  are  ovnto-pyriforin,  an  inch  and  foiir-tweltlhs  in  lengtli, 
eleven-twelfths  in  brea<lth,  oil-green  or  light  greenish-yellow,  irregu- 
larly spotted  and  blotched  with  deep-brown ;  the  spots  bfcoming 
more  numerous  to  >ard  the  larger  end,  where  they  are  confluent. 
The  young,  like  tliose  of  the  Golden  Plover  and  Lapwing,  leave 
the  nest  immediately  after  exclusion,  run  about,  and,  when  alarmed, 
conceal  themselves  by  sitting  close  to  the  ground  and  remaining 
motionless." 


ig,  five ;  tail,  two  and  a  quur- 


This  species,  when  it  returns  in  the  autumn,  late  in  Se))- 
toraber,  is  very  fat,  and  is  considered  delicate  and  palatable 
as  food. 

ACTODROMAS,  Kaui-. 

TEINOA    MACULATA.  -  lleillol. 

The  Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

Tringa  maculata,  Vieillof.    Nouv.  Diet.,  XXXIV.  (1810)  485. 
Trint/a  pect(»-n!i.i,  Nuttnll.    Jinn.,  II.  111.    And.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  001 1 
V.  682.    lb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842),  269. 

Description. 

Bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  comprosscd,  slightly  depressed  and  expanded  at 
the  tip;  nasal  (groove  long;  wings  long;  legs  rather  long;  tibia  with  nearly  its  lower 
half  naked ;  toes  free  at  base,  flattened  underneath  and  slightly  margined ;  tail  rather 
short;  middle  feathers  pointed ;  entire  upper  parts  brownish-black;  all  the  feathers 
e<Iged  and  tipped  with  ashy  and  brownish-red;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  black, 
some  of  the  outer  feathers  of  the  latter  edged  with  white;  line  from  the  bill  over 


446 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND   OOLOGY. 


?: 


the  eye  ashy-white ;  throat,  abdomen,  under  wing  coverts,  axillary  feathers,  and 
under  tail  coverts,  white;  breast  and  neck  before  ashy-white;  all  tlic  featliers  darker 
at  base,  and  witli  partially  concealed  lanceolate  or  pointed  spots  of  brownish-black ; 
quills  brownish-black;  shaft  of  first  primary  white,  of  others  brown;  secondaries 
tipped  enc'  ed^ed  with  white;  tertiaries  edged  with  dull  reddish-yellow;  bill  and 
feet  dark  (jreeuish-black;  iris  dark-hazel. 

Total  length,  about  nine  inches;  wing,  five  and  a  quarter;  tail,  two  and  a  half; 
bill  to  gape,  one  and  one-eighth;  tarsus,  one  inch. 

Ilab.  —  The  entire  coasts  of  North  America ;  South  America;  Europe. 

This  well-known  species  is  pretty  abundantly  distributed 
along  our  coast  in  the  spring  and  autumn  migrations,  when 
it  appears  in  small  flocks,  in  May,  in  the  former  seasons, 
and  in  August  and  September  in  the  latter.  It  has  all  the 
habits  of  the  other  Sandpipers,  but  is  more  often  seen  in 
the  marshes  and  meadows,  particularly  in  the  autumn,  than 
the  others,  where  it  eagerly  pursues  the  various  insects 
which  are  found  there,  particularly  the  grasshoppers  and 
crickets,  that  furnish  food  for  so  many  of  our  passing  birds. 
This  species  is  beSt  known  to  our  gunners  by  the  name  of 
the  Grasb-bird.  It  is  a  favorite  with  them  because  of  its 
fine  flavor  on  the  table;  and  it  is  found  in  considerable 
abundance  in  our  markets,  where  it  meets  a  ready  sale  at  a 
very  remunerative  price. 

TBINOA  ^Ql^kV&Xm.  —  Schlegd. 

Bonaparte's  Sandpiper. 

Tringa  ScMmii,  Nuttall.  Man.,  IL  109.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  629. 
lb.,  Birds  Amer.,  V.  (1842)  275. 

Tringa  Bonaf-Ttii,  Schlegel.    Rev.  Crit.  Ois.  Eur.,  (1844)  89. 

Description. 
Smaller;  bill  slightly  arched  towards  the  tip,  which  is  somewhat  enlarged  aud 
flattened,  about  the  length  of  the  head;  grooves  in  both  mandibles  long  and  nar- 
row; wings  long;  secondary  quills  obliquely  incised  at  the  ends ;  tail  rather  longer 
than  usual  in  this  group,  with  the  feathers  broad;  legs  rather  long  and  slender;  toes 
free  at  base;  hind  toe  very  small;  upper  parts  light  ashy-brown;  darker  on  the 
rump ;  nearly  all  the  feathers  with  ovate  or  wide  lanceolate  central  spots  of  broAvnish- 
black,  and  many  of  th-im  edged  with  bright  yellowish-red ;  upper  tail  coverts  white ; 
under  parts  \  'hite,  with  numerous  small  spots  of  dark -brown  on  the  neck  before, 
breast,  and  sides,  somewhat  disposed  to  form  transverse  bunds  on  the  last;  quills 
brownish-black,  darker  at  the  tips;  shaft  of  outer  primary  white,  of  others  light- 
brown;  middle  feathers  of  tail  brownish-black;  outer  feathers  lighter,  and  edged 


THE  LEAST   SANDPIPER. 


447 


r. 


:9,  axilliiry  fenthers,  and 
e ;  all  the  feathers  darker 
spots  of  brownish-black ; 
there  brown;  secondaries 
reddish-yellow;  bill  and 

rter;  tail,  two  and  a  half ; 
lerica;  Europe. 

adantly  distributed 
I  migrations,  when 
he  former  seasons, 
ter.    It  has  all  the 
nore  often  seen  in 
n  the  autumn,  than 
bhe  various  insects 
i  grasshoppers  and 
f  our  passing  birds. 
3rs  by  the  name  of 
them  because  of  its 
md  in  considerable 
ts  a  ready  sale  at  a 


egd. 

)m.  Biog.,  III.  (1836)  629. 
1844)  89. 

is  somewhat  enlarged  and 
h  mandibles  long  and  nar- 
the  ends;  tail  rather  longer 
[ither  long  and  slender;  toes 
ashy-brown;  darker  on  the 
,te  central  spots  of  brownish- 
d ;  upper  tail  coverts  white ; 
-brown  on  the  neck  before, 
!e  bands  on  the  last;  quills 
nary  white,  of  othere  ligbt- 
feathera  lighter,  and  edged 


with  ashy -y/hite;  under  wing  coverts  ind  axillaries  white;  bill  and  feet  greenish- 
black  ;   iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  about  seven  inches;  wing,  four  and  three-quarters;  tail,  two  and  a 
quarter;  bill,  one;  tarsus,  ratlier  less  than  an  inch. 

Ilab.  —  North  America,  east  of  the  Kocky  Mountains. 

This  bird  also  is  often  known  to  sportsmen  l)y  the  com- 
prehensive name  "  Grass-bird."  It  is  less  abundant  than 
the  preceding,  but  has  all  its  habits.  It  appears  in  small 
flocks  of  eight  or  ten,  and  frequents  the  marshes  and  marshy 
shores  in  preference  to  the  sandy  beach.  In  such  localities, 
it  feeds  upon  various  insects  and  aquatic  animals,  and  lar- 
vae of  aquatic  insects ;  and  is  often  seen  in  fresh-water 
meadows,  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  shore,  busy  in 
search  of  this  variety  of  food.  Nuttall  says  it  lays  four 
eggs,  smaller  than  those  of  the  T.  alpina,  of  a  yellowish- 
^ray  color,  spotted  with  olive  or  chestnut-brown. 

TEINGA  WILSONII.— JVu«a«. 
The  Least  Sandpiper;  Peep. 

TYinga ptisilla,  Wilson.  Am.  Om.,  V.  (1312)  32.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (I8881 
180.    76.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  280. 

Tringa  Wihonii,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  121. 

Description. 

The  smallest  of  all  known  species  of  this  group  found  in  North  America;  bill 
about  as  long  as  the  head,  slightly  curved  towards  the  end,  which  is  very  slightly 
expanded;  grooves  in  both  mandibles  to  near  the  tip;  wing  long;  tcrtiaries  nearly 
as  long  as  the  primaries;  tail  short;  middle  feathere  longest;  outer  feathers  fre- 
quently longer  than  the  intermediate;  legs  long;  lower  third  of  the  tibia  naked; 
toes  long,  slender,  margined,  and  flattened  beneath ;  hind  toe  small ;  upper  parts  with 
nearly  every  feather  having  a  large  contrnl  spot  of  brownish-black,  and  widely  mar- 
gined with  ashy  and  bright  brownish-red;  rump  and  middle  of  the  upper  tail 
coverts  black ;  outer  coverts  white,  spotted  with  black ;  stripe  over  the  ej'e,  throat, 
and  breast,  pale  ashy-white,  with  numerous  small  longitudinal  spots  of  ashy-brown ; 
abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  white ;  quills  dark-brown,  with  the  shafts  of  the 
primaries  white;  tertiaries  edged  with  reddish;  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  brownish- 
black;  outer  feathers  light  ashy-white;  under  surface  of  wing  light  brownish- ashy, 
with  a  large  spot  of  white  near  the  shoulder ;  axillary  feathers  white ;  bill  and  leg* 
f,Teenish-brown,  the  latter  frequently  yellowish-green. 

Total  length,  from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail,  about  five  and  a  half  to  six  inches; 
wing,  three  and  a  half  to  three  and  three-quarters;  tail,  one  and  three-quarters;  bill 
to  gape,  tb"i>e-quarter8j  tarsus,  three-quarters  of  an  inch. 

Sab.  —  Entire  temperate  North  America. 


448 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY, 


'^ 


-•;:% 


The  Least  Sandpiper  or  "Peep"  is  so  well  known  on 
our  siiorcs  that  any  description  is  almost  siipcrfluons.  It 
makes  its  appearance  early  in  May^  in  small  parties  of 
five  or  six,  and  quickly  proceeds  to  the  most  northern 
sections  of  the  continent,  where  it  breeds,  and  then  im- 
mediately returns  to  our  shores,  where  it  remains  until 
early  in  October,  when  it  passes  on  to  +he  South.  Au- 
dubon, in  describing  its  breeding  habits,  says,  "  Tliat 
this  species  is  naturally  disposed  to  seek  alphie  sections 
of  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  I'eproduction,  I  obtained 
abundant  proof  whilst  in  Labrador,  where  I  found  it  plen- 
tiful, and  breeding  on  tlie  moss-clad  crests  of  tlio  highest 
rocks,  within  short  distances  of  the  sea."  On  finding  the 
nest,  he  says,  — 

"  Four  beautiful  eggs,  larger  than  I  had  expected  to  see  pro- 
duced by  birds  of  so  small  a  size,  lay  fairly  beneath  my  eye,  as  I 
knelt  over  them  for  several  minutes  in  perfect  ecstasy.  Tlie  nest 
had  been  formed  first,  apparently,  by  the  patting  of  the  little 
creatures'  feet  on  the  crisp  moss,  and  in  the  slight  hollow  thus 
produced  were  laid  a  few  blades  of  slender,  dry  grass,  bent  in  a 
circular  manner;  the  internal  diameter  of  the  nest  being  two 
inches  and  a  half,  and  its  depth  an  inch  and  a  quarter.  The  eggs. 
which  were  in  shape  just  like  those  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper,  T. 
macularius,  measured  seven  and  a  half  eighths  of  an  inch  in  length, 
and  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  breadth.  Their  ground-color  was  a 
rich  cream-yellow  tint,  blotched  and  dotted  with  very  dark  umber, 
the  markings  larger  and  more  numerous  toward  the  broad  end. 
They  were  placed  with  their  broad  ends  together,  and  were  quite 
fresh.  The  nest  lay  under  the  lee  of  a  small  rock,  exposed  to  all 
the  heat  the  sun  can  afford  in  that  country." 


It  is  during  the  latter  part  of  Augiist  and  the  greater 
part  of  September  that  this  species  is  most  abundant  in 
New  England,  where  it  generally  confines  itself  ti  the  sea- 
coast,  but  sometimes  penetrates  to  the  large  tracts  of  water 
in  the  interior,  gleaning  there  its  food  of  small  shell-lisli, 
crustaceans,  and  insects  in  the  pools  of  water  and  on  tlie 


THE   SANUKULINO. 


441) 


,  well  known  on 
svipcrfluons.     It 
small  parties  of 
5   most   nortliorn 
Js,  and  then  ini- 
it  remains  until 
the  South.     Au- 
its,   says,   "That 
;k  alphie  sections 
action,  I  ohtaincd 
0  I  found  it  plcn- 
jsts  of  the  highest 
On  finding  the 


»> 


expected  to  see  pro- 
oeneath  my  eye,  as  I 
:t  ecstasy.  The  nest 
patting  of  the  little 
le  slight  hollow  thus 
,  dry  grass,  bent  in  a 

the  nest  being  two 
I  quarter.  The  eggs. 
Spotted  Sandpiper,  T. 
[s  of  an  inch  in  length, 
eir  ground-color  was  a 
vith  very  dark  umber, 

,ward  the  broad  end. 
jether,  and  were  quite 
m  rock,  exposed  to  all 

i' 

|xist  and  the  greater 
most  abundant  in 
les  itself  tc  the  sea- 
liar  ge  tracts  of  water 
of  small  shell-fish, 
fof  water  and  on  the 


sands  and  flats.    It  associates  ia  large  flocks  at  tliiit  si'usnn, 
and  often  with  other  birds. 

CAMDUIS,  CuvTKR. 

CnluMi,  CuviER,  Anat.  Comp.,  V.  in  chart  (l^nr)).    (Typo  Trhujn  nremrh,  I,.) 
General  diameters  of  ^Wnja,  but  without  hind  toe;  hill  straight,  rather  longer 
than  the  head  and  tarsus,  widened  somewhat  or  spoon-shnpcd  at  the  end ;  tail  douhly 
emarginate;  toes  short;  middle  one  scarcely  two-thirds  the  tarsus. 

CALIBRIS  ABENASIA.  —  llllger. 
The  Sanderling. 

Tringa  arenaria,  Linnoeus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  251.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.  lb.. 
Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)287. 

Cnlidris  arendrin,  Uliger.    Prod.  (1811),  249.     Nutt.  Man.,  11.  (lf.34)  4. 

Clinr(i(lriu3  cnlidris,  IJnnosus.  Syst.  Nat,  I.  (1760)  2j.').  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VII. 
(1813)  68. 

Charmlrius  rvhUlus.    Gm.,  I.  (1788)  688.    Wils.  Am.  Oni.,  VH.  (1S13)  129. 

Desckiption. 

No  hind  toe;  front  toes  moderate  or  rather  lonj;,  flattened  underneath;  distinct- 
ly margined  with  a  membrane;  bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  rather 
thick;  ridge  of  upper  mandible  flattened;  nasal  groove  deep,  and  nearly  as  lung  a,s 
the  upper  mandible,  not  so  distinct  in  the  lower;  both  mandibles  widcied  and  (lat- 
tened  at  the  tip;  aperture  of  the  nostril  large,  and  covered  with  a  membrane;  wing 
long;  tail  short,  with  the  middle  feathers  longest;  under  coverts  long  as  the  tail; 
legs  moderate ;  lower  third  of  the  tibia  naked;  upper  parts  light-ashy,  with  lanceo- 
late, hastate,  and  ovate  spots  of  bro^vllish-black  on  the  top  of  the  h.Mid,  on  tin.'  back, 
scapulars,  and  shorter  quills;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  with  fine  transverse  lines 
of  black;  under  parts  pure-white;  shoulders  brownish-blaek,  without  .spots:  fpiills 
bnnvnish-black,  with  their  shafts  white,  and  much  paler  on  their  inner  webs;  gnater 
wing  coverts  widely  tipped  with  white;  middle  feathors  of  the  tail  ashy -brown, 
edged  with  white ;  outer  feathers  paler;  bill  and  legs  greenish-black;  sexes  alike; 
iris  brown. 

In  spring  plumage,  the  head,  neck,  and  breast  are  tinged  with  pale  ye'low- 
ish-rod,  and  spotted  with  dark-bro^vn ;  back  and  scapulars  eilgid  and  tipped  with 
yellowish-red;  rump  and  imder  tail  coverts  ashy-brown;  under  pans  of  the  body 
pure-white. 

Total  length,  .seven  and  three-quarters  to  eight  inches;  wing,  live;  tail,  two;  bill, 
about  one  inch;  tarsus,  about  one  inch. 

Hub.  —Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America,  South  America,  Europe. 

An  abundant  species  on  both  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coa.sts  of  the  Republic,  and 
extending  its  r.inge,  in  winter,  into  South  America.  We  can  find  no  reliable  dis- 
tinction between  the  American  and  the  European  bird,  though  specimens  dift'er 
quite  materially  in  size  and  length  of  bill. 

29 


450 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


1    l^r: 

.1.        \'  ■   ' 

"^M 

9 

Tlie  Sandorliiig,  most  often  called  the  "  Beacli-bird  "  by 
gunners,  is  pretty  abundant  on  our  shores  in  the  autumn 
migrations.  It  is  rarely  seen  in  spring,  but  seems  to  move 
by  us  in.  passing  to  its  northern  breeding-giounds.  Accord- 
ing to  Mr.  Hutchins,  it  breeds  on  the  coast  of  Hudson's 
Bay,  where  it  constructs,  on  he  marshes,  a  rude  nest  of 
grass,  laying  four  dusky  eggs,  spotted  with  black,  on  whicli 
it  begins  to  sit  about  the  middle  of  June.  Early  in  Septem- 
ber, sometimes  by  the  20th  of  August,  it  returns  to  our 
shores,  wlicre  it  associates  with  the  Sandpipers  in  small 
flocks.  It  has  all  the  habits  and  characteristics  of  these 
birds,  busily  seeking  in  the  retreathig  waves,  and  in  the 
pools  on  the  beach,  its  food  of  small  shells  and  crustaceans. 
It  is  quite  fat  in  the  autumn,  and  is  esteemea  by  many,  a 
fine-flavored  bird  for  the  table. 


ERKUXETES,  Illigek. 


I 


Ereunetes,  Illiger.    Prod.  (1811),  262. 

The  bill  of  our  species  of  Ereunetes  is  quite  stout,  and  consideribly  expanded,  by 
which  it  is  readily  distinguished  from  Actodromas  Wilsonii,  independently  of  the 
semipalmated  feet;  the  tarsus  and  middle  toe  are  about  equal;  the  tibia  denuded 
anteriorly  for  about  two-thirds  the  length  of  tarsus;  the  basal  membrane  of  toes 
is  more  scolloped  out  interiorl)' than  exteriorly;  the  notch  externally  not  quite  as 
deep  as  to  the  first  joint,  altliough  the  membrane  extends  beyond  the  second. 
There  is  a  tendency  to  hexagonal  subdivision  in  the  bare  portion  of  tibia  anteriorly. 
The  tail  is  doubly  einarginate. 


EREUK2TES  PETRIFICATUS.  —  Mger. 
The  Semipalmated  Sandpiper;  Peep. 

Ereunetes  petrificatuSfUVigeT.  Prod.  (1811),  262.  (Proved  identical  with  Tnngn 
temipalmala,  Wils.,  by  Cabanis.) 

Trinr/u  scmijxilmata,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  VIL  (1813)  131.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  V. 
(1839)  111.     Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  277. 

Tringa  {lictcropoda)  semipalmata,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  136. 

Description. 
Bill  about  the  length  of  the  head,  rather  thicker  than  usual  in  this  group;  both 
mandibles  somewhat  expanded  and  flattened  at  the  tip,  and  minutely  punctulated, 
IS  in  the  genera  Scolopax  and  GaUinago ;  wings  long;  legs  moderate,  rather  slnn- 
der;  toes  united  at  base  by  a  membrane,  which  is  large,  between  the  outer  and 
middle  toes,  extending  to  the  first  joint;  bind  toe  small;  tail  short,  with  tbi  iniddlo 


•  .  Ll 


THE   SEMIPALMATKD   SANDI'IPKR. 


—  Mger. 

Peep. 
(Proved  identical  with  Tnngn 

813)  131.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  V. 

11.  (1834)  136. 

ban  usual  in  this  group;  both 
tip,  and  minutely  punctulnted, 
,k;  IcRs  moderate,  rather  slon- 
.large,  between  the  outer  ami 
wU;  tail  Bhort,  with  the  mddlo 


ffnlhcrs  longost;  outer  feathers  frequently  longer  than  the  third,  prcsfiitinj;  ii  d  iilily 
fninrpinatc  ch.  .-ncter  to  the  tail;  under  coverts  nearly  as  Imii,'  ai  tlio  tail;  \\\\\h't 
parts  li:;lit  brownish-ashy,  with  lanceolate  or  ovate  spots  of  hrowiiisli-hlack  in  llie 
middle  of  the  feathers;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  black;  front,  liaiid  i>(  the  eye, 
und  entire  under  parts,  iishy-white,  with  small  spnfs  on  the  hrea-t  of  asliy-bro\Mi : 
i|uills  hrownish-black,  lighter  on  their  inner  webs,  aud  with  their  shafts  while; 
middle  feathers  of  the  tail  brownish-black;  outer  featheis  paht  browni-'li-asliy; 
under  wing  coverts  and  axillaries  white ;  bill  greenish-black;  feet  dark,  the  lower 
part  of  the  t;irsus  and  toes  frequently  tinged  with  yellow;  uiiper  parts,  in  summer, 
mixed  with  light-reddish;  iris  brown. 

Total  length,  about  six  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  three  and  three-quarters;  tail, 
one  and  three-quarters;  bill,  from  gape,  three-quarters;  tarsus,  three-quarters  to  one 
inch. 

This  abundant  little  species  is  singularly  variable  in  the  length  of  the  bill,  so 
mue'\  so,  in  fact,  that  a  student  with  two  specimens  representing  extremes  in  this 
particular  would  deem  it  quite  impossible  that  they  could  be  identical  specifically. 

Hab. —  Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America;  South  America. 

The  Semipalmated  Sandpiper  is  so  similar  in  its  general 
appearance  and  liabits  with  the  common  "  Peep,"  tliat  it  is 
usually  confounded  with  that  bird  by  all  our  sportsmen.  It 
appears  at  the  same  time,  associates  with  it,  and  altogether 
might  easily  bo  mistaken  for  it,  were  it  not  for  the  semi- 
palmation  of  this  species.  It  breeds  in  the  most  northern 
localities. 

Mr.  Hutchins  says  that  it  arrives  at  Severn  River,  in  the 
fur  countries,  in  great  numbers,  about  the  middle  of  May, 
where  it  builds  a  loose  nest  of  withered  grass  in  a  slight 
hollow  in  the  ground,  early  in  June,  and  lays  four  white 
eggs,  spotted  with  black  or  dusky-brown.  Like  the  "  Com- 
mon Peep,"  the  flight  of  this  bird  is  rapid  and  wavering, 
almost  exactly  resembling  that  of  the  Snipe.  It  also  has  the 
same  soft  call-note,  Hweet  Hweet,  that  the  other  has,  which 
it  utters  frequently,  both  while  on  the  strand  and  when 
flying. 


Sub-Family  Totanin^.  —  The  Stilts. 

Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  or  longer;  the  basal  portion  covered  with  soft  skin;  the 
terminal  portion  (generally  at  least  half)  horny,  and  more  or  less  attenuated  and 
pointed  in  Totnnece;  the  lateral  grooves  of  bill  extending  to  the  horny  terminal 
portion ;  the  gape  of  mouth  extending  behind  the  base  of  culmen    toes  generally 


452 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


junnoctcd  by  a  bnsnl  membrane ;  the  tail  always  with  dlHtinct  tnnnvcno  bare  lii 
North-American  species,  except  in  fTeteroicetii/>. 

This  sub-family  appears  to  dilFer  fmm  most  Sculojxu  nue  in  the  less  flcgreo  of  sen- 
sitiveness in  the  tip  of  the  bill,  which  is  more  homy,  and  not  covered  4)y  soft  skin 
well  supplied  with  nerves.  The  toes  are  almost  always  connected  at  the  base  by  a 
membrane;  this  being  the  rule  and  not  the  exception,  as  in  Scohpacina. 


i:rj, 

-1 


tcr* 


*"C 


? 


SYMIMIEML\,  Rakinesque. 

Symphemw,  RAFlNlisqUB,  Jour,  de  Phys.  (1819).  (Type  Scohpix  semi;<t'.mnta, 
Gmelin.) 

liiU  compressed,  vcrj- thick,  the  culiiien  rounded;  the  lower  mandible  scarcely 
RTOoved;  the  upper  ^'rooved  to  about  the  middle;  culnicu  slightly  convex;  gonys 
ascending;  bill  cleft  but  little  beyond  base  of  culmen;  feathers  of  sides  of  bntli 
mandibles  falling  short  of  the  nostrils;  the  lower  rather  farther  forward;  chin  feath- 
ers reaching  to  beginning  of  nostrils;  bill  longer  than  head,  about  equal  to  tarsus, 
which  is  more  than  one  and  a  half  times  the  middle  loc;  both  toes  webbed,  the 
emargination  of  inner  web  as  far  forward  as  the  middle  of  basal  joint  of  middle  toe, 
the  outer  reaching  nearly  to  the  end;  bare  portion  of  tibia  rather  less  than  middle 
toe  without  claw;  tail  nearly  even,  or  little  rounded,  not  half  the  wings. 

SYMPHEMIA    SUmPAlMX'IA.  —  nnrtlmib.  , 

The  Willet. 

Scolopnx  semipalmatus,  Gmelin.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1788)  659.  Wils.  Am.  Dm.,  Vll. 
(1813)27. 

Totanus  semipalmatus,  Audubon.  Orn.  Biog.,  TIT.  (18  •)  510;  V.  585.  Birds 
Am.,  V.  (1842)  324. 

Totanus  {catoptrophoiiu)  semipnlmntus,  Bonaparte.  Syn.  (1828),  828.  Nut', 
Man.,  II.  (1S34)  144. 

Symphemia  semipalmatn,  Hartlaub.     Rev.  Zool.  (1845),  342. 

Description. 

The  largest  American  species  of  this  genus ;  bill  longer  than  the  head,  straight, 
rather  thick  and  strong;  groove  in  the  upper  mandible  extending  about  half  its 
length,  in  the  lower  mandible  nearly  obsolete;  wings  long;  legs  long,  strong;  toes 
moderate,  united  at  base  by  membranes,  the  larger  of  which  unites  the  outer  and 
middle  toe;  hind  toe  small;  tail  short. 

AdtUt.  —  Kntire  upper  parts  dark-ash  color  (without  spots);  the  shafts  of  the 
feathers  brownish-black;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  white;  under  parts  white, 
tinged  with  ashy  on  the  neck  and  sides;  nxillaries  and  under  wing  coverts  brown- 
ish-black; primary  quills  white  at  base,  and  tipped  with  brownish-black;  secon- 
daries white,  spotted  with  brownish-black;  tail  ashy-white,  the  two  middle  feathers 
strongly  tinged  with  ashy;  others  spotted  with  dark  ashy-brown ;  bill  dark  bluish- 
brown,  lighter  at  base;  legs  light-blue. 

Yoiirtf/er.  —  Entire  plumage  spotted,  and  transversely  banded  with  brownish- 
black  ;  iris  brown. 

Total  length,  about  fifteen  inches;  wing,  eight  and  a  quarter;  tail,  three  and  a 
quarter;  bill,  about  two  and  a  half;  tarsus,  about  two  and  a  half  inches. 


THE   WILLET. 


4." 


Htintt  transvcno  bars  in 


'ype  Scohpix  semi!<a'.mafi, 


lout  spots);  the  shafts  of  the 
rts  white;  under  parts  wlnto, 
and  under  wing  coverts  hrown- 
l  with  brownish-black;  secon- 
white,  the  two  middle  feathers 
nshy-brown;  bill  dark  bluish- 

•ersely  banded  with  brownieh- 


Tiiis  large  and  handsome  species  is  easily  recof;nizcd,  and  is  nbiinilaiit  on  Im.iIi 
.he  Atlantic  and  I'acilic  coa.sts  of  the  Ucpublic.  riicro  is  very  idiisulorable  dilVur- 
;iice  of  color  between  the  adult  and  yount;  birds;  but  tlie  white  space  on  tin:  wings 
is  a  character  always  present  and  easily  distinguished.  It  is  the  largest  bird  of  this 
gruiip  inhabiting  the  United  States. 

Hub. —  ICntire  temperate  regions  of  North  America;  South  America. 

This  bird  ia  not  very  abiiiiclaut  on  the  shoros  of  Nmv 
England  as  a  summer  visitor  and  resident ;  l)ut  it  is  tiikcn 
ill  considerable  numbers  in  the  autumn.  It  oecassionally 
breeds  within  our  limits,  iisually  preferring  a  sandy  island 
to  the  main  shore ;  but  it  sometimes  selects  a  locality  in  a 
marsh  for  its  nest,  and  has  been  known  to  breed  in  a  rye- 
field  twenty-niiles  from  the  seashore. 

The  nest  is  built  about  the  last  week  in  ]i[ay.  It  is 
])laced  in  a  slight  hollow  iu  the  sand  or  in  a  tus.sock  of 
grass,  and  is  composed  of  grasses  and  weeds,  arranged  in  a 
heap,  sometimes  three  or  four  inches  in  depth.  It  is  hol- 
lowed an  inch  and  a  half  or  more,  and  is  sometimes  lined 
with  softer  pieces  of  grass  or  weeds.  The  eggs  are  four  iu 
number:  tlu'y  are  pyriform  in  shape,  and  are  abruptly 
jjointed  from  the  larger  end.  They  are  of  a  pale-olive  color, 
sometimes  grconish-drab  ;  and  are  marked  with  blotches  of 
two  or  three  shades  of  brown,  which  are  confluent  at  the 
larger  end,  and  sometimes  almost  entirely  hide  the  ground 
color. 

They  vary  iu  dimensions  from  2.15  by  1.58  inch  to  1.98 
by  1.45  inch.  When  its  breeding-place  is  approached,  the 
VVillet  flies  to  meet  the  intruder,  and,  coursing  around  over 
his  head,  utters  its  shrill  cries,  like  the  syllables,  'pill-wilkt- 
Hit  pill  ivillet,  vociferously ;  and  sometimes  darting  down  at 
him,  or  alighting  before  him,  it  endeavors  to  lead  him  from 
its  nest  by  pretending  lameness. 

When  the  young  are  able  to  fly,  the  whole  brood  associate 
with  the  parents  in  a  flock,  and  frequent  the  pools  and 
ditches  near  the  beach,  where  they  busily  wade  about  in  the 
water,  searching  for  small  shcU-lish,  aquatic  insects,  mol- 
lusks,  &c.,  on  which  they  feed.     When  wounded,  they  take 


154 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


to  tlio  wator,  and  swim  off  with  great  activity.  Thoy  all 
leave  Now  England  ih  Octol)er,  when  they  aro  exceedingly 
fat  and  well-flavored. 


'"i 
1 


GAMlSliTlA,  Kaup. 

Gaiiibettn,  Kaup,  Entw.  Europ.  Thierw.  (1829).  (Type  Scolujmx  calidrii^  L. 
Gray.) 

Hill  mucli  iitfcmiatod  towards  and  tapering  to  the  ond,  the  cxtremo  tip  do(  urvcd  ; 
both  culmcn  and  Konyi  Iiowever,  bent  upwards  from  the  middle;  the  lateral 
grooves  of  upper  bill  broad,  shallow,  and  not  extending  to  the  middle;  that  of  lower 
reaehing  about  as  far;  feathers  on  side  of  both  mandibles  extend  to  about  the  sanie 
point,  but  fall  short  of  nostrils;  those  on  chin  extend  as  far  as  middle  of  nostril;  bill 
nearly  as  lung  as  the  tarsus,  wliieli  is  one  and  a  half  times  the  length  of  middle  loe; 
outer  toe  webbed  to  first  joint;  the  inner  web  very  sliort;  bare  portion  of  tlie  tibia 
equal  to  the  toes;  tip  of  tail  about  opposite  the  middle  of  outstretched  tarsi;  leg.i 
yellow. 

GAMBETTA  MELANOLEDCA.  —  Bonaparte. 

The  Telltale;  Stone  Snipe;  Greater  Tellow-Iegs.  i 

Scohpax  mdanoleucus,  Gm^Wn.    Sj'st.  Nat.,  L  (1788)  659. 
Totanus  melanoleucus  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  68. 
Gambetta  vielanoleuca,  Bonaparte.    Comptes  Rendus  (Sept.,  1856). 
Scohpax  vociferus,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VII.  (1818)  57. 

Description. 

Bill  longer  than  the  head,  rather  slender,  curved  tovards  the  tip;  wings  rather 
long,  first  quill  longest;  tail  short;  neck  and  legs  long;  toes  moderate,  marginiil 
and  flattened  underneath,  connected  at  base  by  membranes,  the  larger  of  wliiili 
unites  the  outer  and  midd'j  toe;  hind  toe  small;  claws  short,  blunt;  grooves  in  boili 
mandibles  extending  about  half  their  length;  entire  upper  |)arts  cinereous  of  various 
shades,  dark  in  many  specimens  in  full  plumage,  generally  light  with  white  lines  on 
the  head  and  neck,  and  with  spots  and  edgings  of  dull-white  on  tlie  other  upper 
parts;  lower  back  brownish-black;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  white,  generally 
with  more  or  less  imperfect  transverse  narrow  bands  of  brownish-black;  und.T 
pp.fts  white,  with  longitudinal  narrow  str'-'^s  on  the  neck,  and  transverse  cres- 
cent lanceolate  and  sagittate  spots  and  stripes  on  the  breast  and  sides;  abdomen 
pure-white;  quills  brownish-black  with  a  purplish  lustre,  shaft  of  first  primary 
white;  secondaries  and  tertiaries  tipped  and  with  transverse  bars  and  spots  of  asliy- 
white;  tail  white,  with  transverse  narrow  bands  of  brownish-black,  wider  and 
darker  on  the  two  middU  feathers;  bill  brownish-black,  lighter  at  the  base;  leys 
vellow;   iris  dark-brown. 

Total  length,  about  fourteen  inches;  wing,  seven  and  a  half  to  eight;  tail,  three 
ana  a  quarter  to  three  and  a  half;  bill,  two  and  a  quarter;  tarsus,  two  and  a  half 
inches. 

Hub  — Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America;  Mexico. 


TIM':    YlCl.LUW-LKCiS 


455 


Type  Scolopax  catidrii,  L. 


and  a  half  to  eight;  tail,  three 
nmrter;  tarsus,  two  and  a  half 


Tlie  Creator  Vrll(»\v-l('«^s  is  not  cuuunon  in  New  ICimlaiiil ; 
u  low  bciiifT  taken  annually. 

Nuttall,  ill  describing  its  habits,  tfec,  saya, — 

"  The  Greater  Yellow-shauks,  or  Telltale,  so  reiimrkable  for  its 
uoise  aud  vigilunce,  arrives  on  the  coast  of  the  IMlddle  States  early 
in  April,  and,  proceeding  principally  by  au  inland  route,  is  seen  in 
abundance  as  far  north  as  the  plains  of  the  Saskatchewan,  where,  no 
doubt,  in  those  desolate  and  secluded  marshes,  far  from  the  prying 
eye  and  persecuting  hand  of  man,  the  principal  part  of  the  sj)e(.'ies 
pass  the  period  of  reproduction,  re-appearing  in  the  cooler  parts 
of  the  Union  towards  the  close  of  August:  yet  so  extensive  is  the 
breeding  range  of  the  Telltale,  that  many  continue  to  occupy 
tiie  marshes  of  the  JMiddle  States  until  the  approach  of  cold 
weather,  in  the  month  of  November,  breeding  in  their  favorite 
resorts,  on  the  borders  of  bogs ;  securing  the  nest  in  a  tuft  of  rank 
grass  or  sedge ;  and  laying  four  eggs,  of  a  dingy-white,  irregularly 
marked  with  spots  of  dark-brown  or  black." 

The  vociferous  vigilance  of  the  Telltale  lias  justly  stig- 
matized him  with  the  present  name ;  for  no  sooner  docs  the 
gunner  appear  than  his  loud  and  shrill  whistle  of  about  lour 
lapidly  repeated  notes  is  instantly  heard,  as  he  mounts  on 
wing,  and  proves  generally  so  good  a  wariung  to  all  the  rest 
of  his  feathered  ueighboi's,  and  particularly  the  vigilant  ducks, 
that  the  whole,  to  the  frequent  disapi)uintment  of  the  fowler, 
at  once  accompany  their  faithful  and  officious  sentinel. 

The  food  of  the  Telltale  is  similar  to  (hat  of  our  other 
shore  birds.  This  it  obtains  by  wading  in  the  pools  and 
ditches,  which  it  is  almost  constantly  doing ;  it  being  seldom 
seen  in  the  grass  or  running  on  the  beach  like  the  Sand- 
pipers. 

GAMBETTA  ThAVlPES.  —  Bonaparte. 
The  Tellow-legs. 

Scolopaa  flavipei,  Gmelin.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  659.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  Vlf. 
1813)  55. 

Totanui  Jlavipcs,  Audubon.  Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  573;  V.  586.  Jb.,  Birds 
Am.,  V.  (1842)  313. 

Ganibdlajlacijiei,  Bonaparte.    Comptes  Kendus  (Sept.,  1856). 


456 


ORN!J)T<:'..OUY   AND  OOLOdY. 


DKscmi-iiwN. 

Bill  rather  Inngur  tlinn  t)i»  head,  HtriiiKlit,  ylcntlur,  compressed;  wing  loti(( 
pointrilj  tail  nlicjrt;  li'^s  l')n^',  Iomit  hall'  iif  tht;  tibia  naked;  toes  niodcrato,  slen- 
der, inar^iiii'd,  tlio  outer  iind  uiiddlu  united  at  base;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverl.i 
white,  the  latter  transversely  barred  with  nshy-brown ;  other  upper  parts  ashy,  many 
feather!*  having  lur^e  arrowhead.^  and  irregular  npotH  of  browni'<h-bl:ick,  un<l  edged 
with  ashy-whito;  under  |)arts  white,  with  nnnieroiiH  longitndiinil  lincH  on  the  neck 
bet' re,  and  nrrow heads  on  the  sides,  of  dark  ashy-brown;  uxillarivs  und  under 
wing  eoveriK  while,  with  bandu  of  asliy-biown,  very  indistinct  in  nuuiy  speeinieiis, 
but  generally  well  defined;  ((uilU  brownish-blaek;  tail  ashy-whitu  with  trunsvelse 
bandi*  of  dark-brown,  middle  feathers  darker;  bill  greeniah-bluck;  legs  yellow;  iris 
dark-browu. 

Yiiuuij.  —  Kntlru  upper  plumage  tinged  with  reddish-brown;  neck  before  with 
lines  nuu'h  less  distinct  and  pule-ash)'. 

I'dtal  lenglli,  abnut  ten  to  ten  and  a  half  inehe!i;  wing,  six  to  bix  and  a  half; 
tail,  two  and  a  half;  bill,  one  and  a  half;  tarsus,  two  inches. 

llnl).  —  Eastern  North  America;  western  V 


t:i-2 


The  Common  Yellow-legs  is  well  known  on  our  coast  as 
a  spring  and  autumn  visitor.  It  does  not  pause  here  in  its 
northern  migiation,  but  passes  at  once  to  its  breeding-home. 
This  is  generally  in  ligh  latitudes:  there,  early  in  June,  its 
nest  is  bull',  and  its  }OUiig  are  reared.  1  am  unacquainted 
with  its  breeding  habits  and  eggs,  and  can  find  no  descrip- 
tion of  them  in  any  book  that  I  have  access  to. 

Early  in  September,  it  returns  to  New  England,  where  it 
fretiuents  the  muddy  flats  and  marshes  on  the  seacoast,  and 
penetrates  into  the  interior.  It  is  also  sometimes  quite 
abundant  in  the  fresh-water  meadows  and  on  the  shores  of 
large  ponds.  I  have  killed  numbers  while  Snipe-shooting : 
and  they  are  almost  equally  well-flavored  with  that  bird. 
They  congregate  in  small  flocks,  fly  rapidly,  uttering  a  loud, 
shrill  whistle,  which  being  imitated  by  the  experienced 
sportsmen,  the  whole  flock  is  decoyed  within  shot ;  and,  as 
they  fly  compactly,  quite  a  number  often  fall  at  a  single  dis- 
charge of  the  giui. 

Like  the  preceding,  this  bird  is  fond  of  wading  about  in 
pools  of  water,  whore  it  secures  for  its  food  larva?  of  insects 
and  small  crustaceans.  With  one  or  two  of  our  other 
Waders,  it  has  the  peculiarity  of  keeping  its  wings  open 
and  elevated  after  alighting,  as  if  it  were  uncertain  of  tho 


THE  HOLITAIIY   SANUi'Il'KK. 


4." 


>i 


lomprcssedi  wint?  loutj 
L'd;  tots  modiTiilo,  slcn- 
p  aiuJ  uiiptT  tivil  coverts 
,r  uppiT  purls  "'*''>'>  """">■ 
•owiii'li-l)!"*;'',  ttiKl  edniil 
itiuliiml  lines  on  tliu  iitck 
vn;  uxilluriw  uiid  uudw 
,linct  iu  many  HpucimoiiH, 
sby-wliitu  with  trunsveme 
,U-bUick-,  legsjello>vi  iris 

■brown;  nock  before  vfith 

ng,  six  to  »ix  and  a  halfj 
inches- 


vu  OH  our  coast  as 
ot  pause  here  iu  its 
J  its  breoding-liouio. 
■0,  early  iu  June,  its 
1  am  uuacquaiutod 
can  find  uo  descrij>- 

access  to. 

y  Euglaud,  where  it 
ou  the  scacoast,  and 

so  sometimes  quite 
lud  ou  tlie  shores  of 
'hlle  Suipc-sliooting: 

red  with  that  bird, 
[idly,  uttering  aloud, 

by  the  experienced 
Lvithiu  shot ;  aud,  as 
111  fall  at  a  single  dis- 

of  wading  about  in 
I  food  larva?  of  insects 
Ir  two  of  our  other 
Ipiug  its  wings  open 
lore  uncertain  of  the 


firmness  of  its  resting-placo.  I  have  sometuucs  thon^fht 
that  it  might  ijc  a  hal)it  caused  by  the  bird  fro(|uenling  Ihits 
on  which  the  uuid  was  soft  and  yielding.  This  is  one  of 
the  handsomest  of  our  Waders,  in  the  autuuui,  it  is  fat, 
and  in  [)oor  phuuage  ;  but  iu  the  spring  it  is  iu  good  condi- 
liun  lur  cabinet  preservation. 

RIIYACOI'inLUS,  Kaup. 

Hhi/iicopliitiu,  Kaui',  Sk.  Entw.  Europ.  Th.  (1820).  (Type  Trimja  yhireula,  \.., 
(Iriiy.) 

Hill  sleiidur,  but  widening  a  little  towards  the  cud;  lutoml  rio  vis  cjf  both  man- 
dibles oxtciidinn  to  the  iiiiddk!  of  bill;  iiu.Htril  short;  Icutlicrs  on  sulc  of  bill  cxliiitl- 
iii},'  to  about  the  i^mw.  |iiiiiit  and  as  far  as  beginning  of  nostrils;  those  of  ebiii  an 
l;ir  as  their  end;  both  mandibles  curved  upwards  slightly  I'rom  middle;  legs  short; 
ImII  about  the  length  of  tarsus,  which  is  c(|ual  to  middle  toe;  bare  poilion  of  tibia 
about  twu-thirds  the  toes;  tail  about  opposite  the  middle  of  tucH  when  outstretched. 

EHYACOPHILUS  SOLITAHIUS.  -  limaparU. 

The  Solitary  Sandpiper. 

Tringa  inlitarin,  AVilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VII.  (1813)  53. 

TvUmus  sotUnrius,  Audubon.     Hirds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  309. 

TutdiiM  vhloriijiijijius.    Nutt.,  II.  15'J.    Aud.  Orn.  Hiog.,  III.  (1835)  670;  V.  683. 

Ueschiption. 

liill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  slender,  compressed;  both  mandibles 
with  narrow  grooves;  wing  long,  pointed;  tail  medium  or  rather  short,  rounded; 
legs  rather  long,  slender;  lower  half  of  the  tibia  naked;  toes  long,  the  outer  united 
to  the  middle  by  a  sniul.  membrane,  flattened  underneath,  niarginated;  upper  parts 
greenish-brown,  with  numerous  small  circular  and  irregular  spots  of  ushy-white; 
upper  tail  coverts  darker;  under  parts  white;  breast  and  neck  before  with  numerous 
longitudinal  lines  of  greenish-brown;  sides,  axillaries,  and  under  wing  coverts 
white,  with  numerous  transverse  narrow  bands  of  dark  greenish-brown;  under  tail 
coverts  white,  with  a  few  transverse  bands  of  dark-brown;  quills  brownish-black, 
with  a  slight  bronzed  or  reddish  lustre  on  the  primaries;  two  middle  feathers  of  the 
tail  greenish-brown;  other  feathers  of  the  tail  pure-white,  with  about  live  transverse 
bands  of  brownish-black;  bill  and  legs  dark  greenish-brown;  iris  hazel. 

Total  Icngthj  about  eight  to  eight  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  five;  tail,  two  and  a 
•[uarter;  bill,  one  and  a  quarter;  tarsus,  one  and  a  quarter  inches. 

Ihb.  —  Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America ;  Jlexico. 

The  Solitary  Sandpiper  is  not  very  common  in  any  part 
of  New  England.  It  arrives  from  the  South  early  in  May 
iu  pairs,  aud  frequents  tlie  sliores  of  our  fresh-water  ponds 


4i^8 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOUY. 


:  :  1 


<5 


niid  streams  in  proforoiico  to  those  of  tlio  soaconftt,  where, 
ruiiniiig  ulioiit  with  gitsiit  activity,  it  hurtiurt  itsulf  iii  Hcarch- 
itig  fur  the  lurva)  ut'  vuriuus  atiuutio  insects,  of  which  its 
food  priiioipully  coii.si.sts.  Like  the  succeeding  bpecies,  it 
hus  the  haint  of  nodding  its  head,  and  tipping  up  its  liody 
and  tail,  wiiicii  lias  given  it  tliu  name  of  "•  Wagtail,"  or 
"Tuetler."  NuttuU  says  timt  it  is  seen  in  MassiU'lmsetts 
only  at  the  commencement  of  cold  weatiier.  1  have  fre- 
quently met  with  it,  both  on  our  seashores  and  in  tlio 
meadows  around  our  fresh-wutcr  ponds,  through  the  whole 
sununjr.  Sc^rral  pair:*  n^side  through  thn  season  on  tin; 
borders  of  P'  ikapoag  I'ond,  in  Canton,  Mass.;  anil  they 
undoubtedly  breed  there,  although  1  have  been  unable  to 
lind  their  nest.  This  species  remains  with  us  until  late  in 
September.  When  tlushed,  it  rises  with  a  short,  sharp 
whistle,  dillerent  from  that  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper,  which 
it  re.sembles  in  almost  every  other  respect. 

TKINGOIOKS,  Bo.NAPAKTK. 

TntKjoUki,  BojJAl'AIiTE,  Saggio  di  una  (list.,  etc.  (1831).  (Typo  Tringii  hij/Ki. 
kucus,  L.,  Gray.) 

.iclilis,  llolE,  lais  (1S22),  600.    Not  of  Illiger,  I'radroraiis  (1811). 

Upper  inaiidiblo  grooveil  to  the  tcnnhinl  fourth;  the  bill  tiiporinf;  and  ratlior 
amle;  ilol't  of  mouth  only  moderate;  the  culmeii  about  (Ive-sixtli.s  the  commissure; 
feathers  e.xteinliiif;  rather  further  on  side  of  lower  jiiw  lluiu  upper,  the  former  reaili- 
inn  as  far  as  the  bef^iuniufj  of  the  nostrils;  those  of  the  chin  to  about  their  middle; 
bill  shorter  than  the  head,  straight,  ciiuul  to  the  tarsus,  which  is  of  the  lent;th  ul' 
middle  toe  and  claw;  bare  part  of  tiliia  half  the  tarsus;  outer  too  webbed  to  first 
joint;  iuner  cletl  about  to  the  base;  tail  much  rounded;  more  than  half  the  wing. 


TEINGOIDES  MACULABIDS.  —  C/vij/. 
The  Spotted  Sandpiper. 

Tringa  ma<jularia,  Linnxus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1768)  249.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VII. 
(1S13)  60. 

Tutanus  mnculnriiis,  Nuttall.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  162.  Aud.  Orn.  Hiog.,  IV. 
(1838)  81.     74.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  303. 

Tringoules  macularius,  Gray,  genera. 

Dkscription. 
Small;  bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  slender;  long  grooves  In  both 
mandibles;  wing  rather  long,  pointed;   tail  medium,  rounded;   legs  rather  lonn;; 


TUK  SPOTTED  SANI>rilM;il. 


469 


IB31).     (Typo  Tringii  hyim- 


liiwer  (bird  of  tlm  titila  iiaki'd!  U»<*  Imij,',  iimrKiiiHd,  hiuI  flntliiiPil  unclrniMlli i 
miter  connectfil  with  lln-  iiilddlu  tor  liy  a  lur;;.'  Mi>'mliriitii';  iriiifr  very  Kli>;litlv 
nitinecti'ii  to  till)  iiiidillii  tor;  uiipir  partn  browiiiHti  idivc-jfrit'ii,  with  ii  soiiu'whiil 
iiii'tallic  (ir  liroiui'd  lu.^tri',  ami  willi  mmiditmii^  lnii^rjiii,|ii,a|  liu,.^,  ai,,t  nai^iiititi', 
liilii'polalu,  niul  irri'Kiilar  ipnts  of  hrowiiWi-lilark,  liaviiij{  thf  Kami'  lu-irrj  linn 
over  tliH  eye,  and  mllru  mider  pans  wliitf,  with  iiiiimTinii  cin  uhir  and  oval  fpcin 
i)t"hrov\'iilKli-hlu(k,!iiiialU'r  on  tliu  throat,  larne.^t  on  llir  alidnin.'ii;  (|iillN  lirowii,  with 
a  >(>■<■''»  lu'tru;  primarion  hlinhlly  tippcil  with  wliltr,  and  li.uim;  a  whito  -|iot 
on  their  innvr  cdi;i':i;  Hccundariux  whit«  at  thi'ir  lia.o^i,  and  lipiinl  with  wlilti';  niiil- 
die  luathers  of  the  tail  naniH  ^ri'tMi  as  other  upp.T  parts;  outer  tippcil  with  whit«<, 
and  with  irri'h'nlar  liurs  of  brownish-black;  bill  yullowish-^rt'en,  tipped  with  brown ; 
fi'i't  rt'ddirh-ycdlow;  iris  ImzLd. 

Voun^  le:'s  liron>^ud  above,  and  under  parts  white,  without  spoli. 

Tolal  length,  suveii  and  a  half  tu  eitfht  imhe:<;  win;;,  four  ami  u  huh;  tail,  two, 
hill,  oniM  tarsus,  rather  le.'^s  tluin  omi  ineh. 

flub.  —  Kntire  temperate  North  America;  ()ri't;on;  Kurope. 

1'oi'1ki[).s  iioiiu  of  ouf  Hiiiniuci'  residents  are  distiilmted  ho 
goueniUy  and  so  iilxiiiiliindy  tlndugliout  Now  Kiiglaiid  us 
the  species  now  before  ua.  Every  pond  :ind  stream  of 
water  has  two  or  th.roo  pairs  breeding  on  its  shores;  and  it 
is  as  abundant  in  the  most  thiekly  settled  as  in  the  nioro 
retired  iuid  secluded  localities.  It  arrives  from  the  South 
al)out  the  first  week  in  April ;  and,  separating  into  pairs,  it 
soon  commences  the  duties  of  incubation.  It  manifests  no 
preference  for  a  location  near  tho  seacoast  to  one  in  the 
interior ;  and  I  have  found  it  breeding  as  abundantly  iu 
the  depths  of  tho  Maine  forests  as  on  tlie  low  sandy  islands, 
or  in  tho  marshes  by  our  soacoast.  Tho  female,  about  the 
third  week  in  Ai)ril,  scratches  a  hollow  in  tho  sandy  earth 
by  some  pond,  or  sometimes  in  a  grain-field  or  garden ;  and, 
lining  it  with  a  few  pieces  of  straw  or  moss,  lays  four 
eggs,  which  she  adjusts  with  their  small  ends  tt)gcther 
in  the  middle  of  the  nest.  These  eggs  are  usually  abruptly 
pyriform,  sometimes  a  little  more  lengthened  ;  and  are  of  a 
yellowish-bu(T  color,  marked  with  blotches  and  spots  of 
iiraber  and  sienna,  thickest  at  their  greater  end,  where  they 
are  ."ometiraes  confluent.  Occasionally,  the  primary  c(jlor  is 
of  a  yellowish-drab  tint,  when  the  spots  are  much  darker 
tlian  on  the  other  shade.  A  great  number  of  specimens  in 
uiy  collection  from  many  different  localities  exhibit  a  varia* 


4G0 


OllNlTUOLOUY   AND   OOLOGY. 


tion  of  size  from  1.40  by  1  inch  to  1.2G  by  .9o  inch.  I  can 
sec  no  niarlicd  peculiarity  in  any  scries  of  specimens,  except- 
ing that  those  collected  in  the  interior  of  Maine  average 
a  little  larger  than  those  T'om  the  seacoast. 

The  flight  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper  is  jrencrally  low,  its 
wings  being  kept  bent  at  an  angle  beneath  its  body.  It  has 
a  peculiar  note,  like  peet-tveet,  peet-weet,  easily  recognized. 


AGTITUKUS,    lioNAPAHTE. 

AclUurus,  liosAVAKCE,  Sagglo,  etc.,  (1831).  (Type  Tringa  Bartramia,  Vfil- 
Bon.) 

Upper  inanJible  grooved  laterally  to  within  the  terminal  foiirth,  the  lower  not 
quite  s)  far;  culmen  concave  to  near  the  tip,  where  it  is  sliglitly  deciirvod ;  gonys 
straight;  mouth  deeply  clelt,  almost  as  far  back  as  the  anterior  canthus;  the  culmen 
only  about  two-thirds  the  commissure,  shorter  than  the  Imad  or  tarsus,  and  about 
equal  to  middle  toe  without  claw ;  feathers  extending  much  further  forward  on  tlie 
upper  jaw  than  on  the  lower,  althon,:;li  those  of  chin  reach  nearly  to  end  of  nostrils; 
tarsus  one  and  a  half  times  middle  toe  and  claw;  the  bare  part  of  tibia  not  quite 
equal  to  the  middle  toe  above;  outer  toe  united  at  base  as  far  as  first  joint;  web  of 
inner  toe  very  basal;  tail  long,  graduated,  more  than  half  the  wings. 


ACTITUEUS    BAETBAMIDS. — Bonaparte. 

The  Upland  Plover ;  Bartram's  Sandpiper ;  Field  Plover. 

Trinf/a  Bartramia,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  VII.  (1813)  63.  Aud.  Birds  Amer.,  V. 
(1842)  248. 

Tvlanus  Bartrainitts,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  FV.  (1838)  24. 
Tringa  (Eviiga)  Bartramia,  Nuttall.    Man..  II.  (1834)  108. 

Descripi'ION. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  the  head,  rather  wide  and  flattened  at  base,  curved  at  the 
tip;  nostril  with  a  large  membrane;  nasal  groove  long;  wing  long;  tail  long  for  this 
group;  legs  moderate  or  rather  long;  lower  half  of  the  tibia  naked;  toes  moderate, 
the  outer  and  middle  toe  united  by  a  membrane,  inner  and  middle  free  to  the  base, 
hind  toe  snull;  gi'neral  color  of  tlie  upper  part.s  brownish-black,  with  a  giceiiish  lus- 
tre, and  with  the  feathers  edged  with  ashy-white  and  yellowish,  the  latter  especially 
on  the  wing  coverts ;  lower  part  of  tiie  back,  rump,  and  upper  tail  coverts,  brownisli- 
black;  lateral  coverts  of  the  tail  j'ellowish-white,  with  arrow-heads  and  irregular 
spots  of  black;  wide  stripe  over  the  eye,  and  entire  mdci'  parts  very  pale  yellowish- 
white,  nearly  pure-white  on  the  abdomen;  neck  before  with  numerous  longitudinal 
lines  of  brownish-black;  breast  and  sides  with  waved  and  pointed  transverse  narrow 
bands  of  the  same ;  axillory  feathers  and  under  wing  coverts  pure-white,  with  nume- 
rous nearly  regular  transverse  narrow  bands  of  black;  quills  brownish-black,  with 
numerous  tiansverse  bands  of  white  on  their  inner  webs,  very  conspicuous  on  the 
under  surface  of  the  wing ;  shaft  of  first  primary  white ;  middle  feathers  of  the  tail 


I'LATK    111 


r  .95  incli.  I  can 
specimens,  cxccpt- 
of  Maine  average 

)ast. 

frenerally  low,  its 
1  its  body.  It  has 
xsily  recognized. 


i   Tringa  Barli-amia,  Wi\- 

,inal  fourth,  the  lower  not 
s  fliglitly  (lecurvod;  gonys 
tcrior  canthus;  tlio  culmeu 
U.ad  or  tarsus,  und  about 
luch  further  forward  on  the 
h  nearly  to  end  of  nostrils; 
bare  part  of  tibia  nut  quita 
as  far  as  first  joint;  web  of 
If  the  wings. 


ynaparte. 
;  Field  Plover. 
63.    And.  Birds  Amer.,  V. 

38)  24. 
J4)  168. 


:ened  at  base,  curved  at  the 
wing  long  ;taillonK  for  this 
tibia  naked;  toes  moderate, 
,.,kI  middle  free  to  the  base, 
sh-black,  with  a  greenish  lus- 

ellowish,  the  latter  especially 
upper  tail  coverts,  brownish- 
h  arrow-heads  and  irregular 
c./  parts  very  pale  ycUowish- 
,  with  numerous  longitudmal 
nd  pointed  transverse  narrow 
.vcrts  pure-white,  with  nume- 
;  quills  brownish-black,  with 
,'ebs,  very  conspicuous  ou  the 
e;  middle  feathers  of  the  t&il 


1 


3 


^^::    *>*i-,  ..•■  Civ 


iig-  1.  t'lumau  (irons.-,  Tetmo  Cnim'lfnsi.i.     LinnnMis. 

,,  2.  Kiliac'or  I'lovor,  Amialilis  roci/rriis.     (,'ii.ssiii. 

,,  y.  ^•nilimUtmtvd  Vlmvr,  Aigiiililis  smiiiialDKilir'!.     Ciibiiiils 

.,  4.  Aiiicriciin  Woo.lTO.k,  i'/iiV<ifcf/a  jHi/Kir.     (Irn.v. 

,,  '>■  Wilstm's  Snip,.,  (7((//m(H'o  HV/jOHii.     Itona|iartP. 

,,  ti.  liilmiil  nr  Kiii.l  IMovur,  Arlilurus  Rirlramiii-      Ilomipiirto. 

,,  7.  Vii'K'iniii  Itiiil,  Unllus  \'ir:;iniiinii).     I.iinm-ui. 

,.  S.  ("iiroliiia  Kail,  I'urznnu  ('unilina.     Vicillot. 


■<;> 


»;r» 


Mr- 


THE   UPLAND   PLOVER. 


4ul 


onmn  ffrocnish-brown  as  the  back,  witli  irreguJar  and  impprfoct  trnnsv>r«L'  linii(l>(  of 
black;  outer  feathers  pale  redilisli-ycllow,  edjjed  and  tipped  with  white,  mid  with 
several  irregular  transverse  bands  and  a  large  pubterminal  arrnw-heail  ol'  black; 
bill  greenish-yellow,  with  the  under  mandible  mor<!  clear  yellnw  towards  il-s  base, 
tip  brownish-black;  legs  light-yellow;  toes  darker;  iris  haztl. 

Total  length,  about  twelve  inches;  wing,  six  and  a  halt';  tail,  three  ami  a  half. 

Uab.  —  Eastern  North  America,  Snutii  America,  P'uropc. 

Everywhere  in  the  interior  of  the  States  on  the  Atlantic,  this  is  the  uuwt  abun- 
dant and  best-known  ppecics  of  this  group,  l.'nlike  neiirly  all  other  \  this  bird 
prefers  plains  and  cultivated  fields,  and  is  one  of  tlu,  species  which  has  not  dicreaseil 
in  numbers  on  account  of  the  extension  of  cultivation  and  the  settlement  of  the 
country.  On  tho  contrary,  it  appears  to  be  quite  at  home  in  the  farm  lands,  and 
rears  its  young  in  the  fields  of  grass  and  grain  in  tho  most  populous  rural  districts 
of  the  country. 


This  bird,  commoniy  known  as  the  "  Upland  Plover,"  is 
not  abundant  in  New  England  as  a  summer  resident,  it 
breeds  sparingly  in  all  these  States,  arriving  in  pairs  about 
the  10th  of  April.  It  is  less  aquatic  tliau  most  of  tho 
other  species  in  this  order,  and  frequents  old  j)astures, 
stubble-fields,  and  cornfields,  in  preference  to  meadows  and 
flats.  It  begins  to  nest  about  the  last  week  in  ]\[ay.  It  is 
quite  shy  at  all  times,  and  difficult  of  ap{)roach,  and  I  have 
spent  half  a  day  in  one  pasture  before  I  could  find  the  nest ; 
both  old  birds  keeping  up  their  shrill  whistle,  and  flying 
about  me  always  out  of  gunshot.  The  nest  is  placed  in  a 
slight  hollow  ill  the  ground,  and  is  constructed  of  a  few 
loose  straws  and  leaves,  arranged  in  a  circular  manner. 
The  eggs  are  four  in  number,  sometimes  three.  They  arc 
more  ovoidal  in  form  than  most  of  our  other  Waders'  eggs, 
and  almost  exactly  resemble  those  of  the  Woodcock,  but 
average  considerably  larger ;  varying  from  1.92  by  l.:31  inch 
(from  Wisconsin)  to  1.70  by  1.25  (from  Massachusetts). 
The  primary  color  of  some  specimens  is  a  buff,  while  others 
are  of  a  creamy-drab:  they  are  marked  with  spots  of  two 
shades  of  brown,  and  obscure  spots  of  lilac. 

By  the  middle  of  August,  and  from  then  until  late  in 
September,  these  Plovers  assemble  in  small  flocks  of  eight 
or  ten  individuals.  They  then  frequent  hilly  pastures,  both 
on  the  seacoast  and  in  the  interior,  where  they  feed  on 


4G2 


ORNITnOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


.1     -? 


:i 


trr* 


grasshoppers,  crickets,  grains,  and  seeds.  Tliey  arc  tlicn  in 
good  condition,  and  of  delicate  flavor  on  the  table,  and  are 
much  pursued  by  sportsmen ;  but,  as  they  arc  swift-flying 
birds,  and  vary  shy,  it  requires  a  more  than  ordinary  shot  to 
bag  many  o;^  them. 

TRYNGITES,  Cabanis. 

Trirtfiites,  Cabanis,  .Jour,  fiir  Cm.  (1856),  418.  (Type  Tringn  rufescent, 
Vioillot.) 

Upper  mandible  grooved  to  about  the  temiinfll  fourth;  the  lower  nut  quite  so 
far;  culmen  and  gonys  about  straight;  mr.ith  deeply  cleft  more  than  half-way  to 
the  eye ;  the  culmen  about  two-thirds  the  commissure ;  culmen  much  shorter  than  the 
head,  and  about  equal  to  middle  toe  without  claw;  tarsus  about  one  and  one-sixth 
as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw;  bard  part  of  tibia  decidedly  shorter  than  middle  toe 
without  claw;  toes  cleft  to  the  base,  with  only  a  very  rudimentiirj*  web;  upper  jaw 
feathered  to  the  nostrils ;  the  side  of  the  lower  and  beneath  feathered  much  further, 
or  to  the  end  of  the  nostrils;  the  interspace  of  the  rami  entirely  filled;  tail  some- 
what graduated,  not  half  the  wing. 

TETNGITES    EUPESCEKS.  —  Cahami. 

The  Buff-breasted  Sandpiper. 

rringa  rtifescens,  Nuttall.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  118.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1885; 
451.     76.,  Birds  Am..  V.  (1842)  264. 

Description. 

Bill  about  the  length  of  the  head,  straight,  compressed,  narrow  at  the  point; 
nasal  groove  long;  wings  verj'long;  first  quill  longest;  tertiaries  rather  shorter; 
tail  moderat"  or  longer  than  usual  in  this  group ;  legs  rather  long ;  lower  third  of  the 
tibia  naked;  toes  free  at  b.ise,  flattened  underneath,  and  slightly  margined ;  hind 
toe  sm.ill;  upper  parts  pale  and  dull  ashy-brown  witli  a  yellowish  tinge;  every 
feather  with  a  large  central,  lanceolate,  crescent-sh.aped,  or  oblong  spot  of  black, 
frequently  with  a  glossy-green  tinge,  especially  on  the  back  and  siiorter  tertiaries; 
under  parts  light  j'cUowish-red,  or  pale-fa^vn  color;  many  fe.ithers  tipped  with  white, 
aud  p.'der  on  the  flanks  and  abdomen,  on  the  breast  with  partially  concealed  small 
spots  of  black;  axillary  feathers  white;  quills  with  their  outer  webs  light-brown, 
inner  webs  ashj'-white,  marbled  with  black  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white ;  middle 
tail  feathers  brownish-black;  outer  feathers  lighter,  with  transverse  waved  lines  of 
black,  and  tipped  with  white;  bill  black;  legs  greenish-yellow;  iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  seven  and  a  half  to  eight  inches;  wings,  five  and  a  half;  tail, 
three:  bill,  from  gape,  one,  tarsus,  one  and  a  quarter  inches. 

IT':b. — All  of  North  America,  South  America,  Kurope. 

This  is  a  little  bird  of  rather  pocidiar  style  of  form,  and  of  remarkable  and  hand- 
Bome  plumage.  Its  relationship  appenrs  to  be  to  the  preceding  well-known  species. 
Both  this  and  the  preceding  bird  more  habitually  frequent  plains  and  other  dry 
localities  than  any  of  the  true  Sandpipers. 


THE  MARBLF.O   (iODWIT. 


4m 


Type    Tringa  rufescevt. 


The  Biiff-brcasted  Sandpiper,  althougli  not  alniii(laiit  on 
the  shores  of  New  England,  is  by  no  nvians  rare,  in  tlie 
montliH  of  August  and  Sei)toml)er,  when  it  is  returning 
iVom  its  uortlierii  breeding-places.  It  is  seldom  seen  hero 
in  spring;  but  it  seems  to  pass  over  Now  England  in  its 
northern  flight.  Of  its  breeding  habits,  nest,  eggs,  «S;c., 
we  are  ignorant.  Audubon  was  of  the  opinion  that  it  breeds 
ai)out  tiie  arctic  seas,  as  he  had  seen  a  wing  of  tliis  bird 
tliat  came  from  there  ;  but  i^e  knew  notliing  of  its  bi ceding 
habits  whatever. 

In  the  autumn,  while  with  us,  it  does  not  frequent  tlio 
beach  as  much  as  it  does  the  marslies  and  flats  in  its  vicin- 
ity, where  it  is  known  as  one  of  the  "  Grass-birds  "  to  our 
gunners.  It  feeds  upon  grasshoppers  and  other  insects, 
and  becomes  very  fat;  so  much  so,  that  skinning  it  for 
cabiujt  preservation,  at  that  season,  is  almost  an  impos- 
sibility. 


ud.  Om.  Biog.,  Ill-  (188B; 


Section  Limosr^.. 

Bill  longer  than  the  tarsus,  curving  slightly  upwards  towards  the  end,  where  it  is 
thickened;  both  mandibles  grooved  for  nearly  the  whole  length;  gape  of  mouth 
very  short,  not  extending  beyond  the  base  of  culmen. 


LIMOSA,  Bbisson. 

Limosn,  BuissoN,  Om.  (1760).    (Type  Scolopnx  limosa,  L.) 

Bill  lengthened,  exceeding  the  tarsus,  slender,  and  curving  gently  upwards; 
grooved  to  near  the  tip;  the  tip  not  attenuated,  but  pointed;  the  lower  almost  as 
long  as  the  upper;  culmea  without  any  furrow;  tarsus  with  t  .lUsvcrse  scutella 
before  and  behind,  reticulated  laterally;  a  short  basal  membrane  between  the  middla 
and  outer  toes ;  tail  short,  even. 


nd  of  remarkable  and  hand- 
iceding  well-known  species, 
qnent  plains  and  other  diy 


,  LIMOSA   FEDOA. -(Ainn.)  Ord. 

The  Marbled  Godwit. 

Soolopax  fedoa,  Wilson.    Am.  Oru.,  VIT.  (1813)  30. 

Limotafedoa,  NutwU.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  173.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1886)  287; 
V.  B90. 


464 


OUNITHOLOr.Y   AND   OOLOGY. 


,|  ...1 

J    f-r; 


PF.SflinTION. 

Hill  Inns,  curvrd  "pwnrds;  both  mandibles  grooved ;  winfjslnng;  tail  short;  leg!" 
lon(f ;  tibia  with  its  Inwerhalf  nnked;  toes  rather  short,  margined  and  flattened  undiT- 
neath;  the  outer  and  middle  toes  united  by  a  rather  large  membrane;  entire  upper 
parts  variegated  with  I)rownisli-bliick  and  pale-reddish,  the  former  disposed  in  irrcgu- 
l.ir  and  conlluent  bauds, and  the  latter  in  spots  and  imperfect  bands;  in  many  !-|ii(  i- 
i.uns  the  black  color  predominating  on  the  back,  and  the  pale-re<l  on  the  rump  and 
upper  tail  coverts;  under  parts  pale-rufous,  with  transverse  Vmo^  of  brownish-lilaik 
iiu  the  breast  and  sides;  under  wing  coverts  and  axillarie?  darker  rufous;  outer 
webs  of  i)rimaries  dark-brown,  inner  webs  light-rufous;  secondaries  liglit-rufous; 
tail  light-rufous,  with  transverse  bars  of  brownish-block;  bill  pale-yellowish,  red  at 
base,  brownish-black  at  the  end;  legs  ashy -black. 

Total  length,  about  eighteen  inches;  wing,  nine;  tail,  three  and  a  half;  bill,  four 
to  five;  tarsus,  three  inches;  iris,  brown. 

f/(ib.  —  Entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America;  South  America. 

A  large  and  handsome  shore  bird,  well  known  to  sportsmen  as  the  Godwit,  and  a 
great  favorite  for  shooting.  From  the  collections  of  tlie  sur\-cying  expeditious,  it 
appears  to  be  '.'qually  abundant  in  tlie  interior  and  on  the  Pacific  as  on  the  eastern 
coast  of  the  United  States. 

It  is  only  in  the  spring  and  autumn  migrations  that  the 
Great  Marl )led  Godwit  is  found  in  New  England;  and  at 
those  times  it  makes  oidy  a  short  stay,  particularly  in  the 
spring. 

They  arrive  from  the  south  early  in  May,  and  pass  to  the 
most  northern  countries,  where  they  pass  the  season  of 
incubation. 

Of  their  breeding  habits  I  am  ignorant,  and  I  have  no 
eggs  in  my  collection  to  give  a  description  here. 

In  the  autumn,  even  as  early  as  the  middle  of  August, 
flocks  of  ten  or  a  dozen  birds  appear  in  the  marshes  on  the 
seacoast  of  Massachusetts ;  and,  these  flocks  uniting  their 
numbers,  sometimes  as  many  as  a  hundred  birds  are  found 
together.  They  are  called  by  our  sportsmen  "  Dough  "  or 
"  Doe  "  Birds  ;  and,  as  they  are  in  good  condition  and  well 
flavored,  they  are  in  great  repute,  and  are  hunted  with  great 
activity.  The  gunners,  using  decoys,  conceal  themselves  in 
the  manner  described  in  the  account  of  the  Golden  Plover 
on  a  preceding  page,  and  secure  great  numbers.  They  meet 
with  a  ready  sale  in  our  markets,  at  very  remunerative 
prices ;  and  I  have  known  of  two  gunners  realizing  sixty 
dollars  as  the  proceeds  of  one  day's  shoothig. 


«r       'i»- 


y. 


THK    IIIIDSONIAN    (idDWIT. 


4«io 


inffslonR;  fnil  sliort;  'eR* 
■pnod  and  flattened  undir- 
e  membrane;  entire  iippir 
,  fonncr  disposed  in  irrc(;ii- 
fcct  bands;  in  many  !-pe>  i- 
pnle-rod  on  tbe  rump  and 
•fl'e  linof*  of  brownisli-bliuli 
larie^  darker  rufous;  outor 
;  setonduries  light-rufous; 
1  bill  pale-yellowish,  red  at 

,  three  and  a  half;  bill,  four 

South  America, 
rfsmen  as  the  Godwit,  and  a 
lie  su^^•eving  expeditious,  it 
,e  Paciflo  as  on  the  eastern 

migrations  tliat  tho 
2W  England ;  and  ai 
ly,  particularly  in  the 

|May,  and  pass  to  the 
pass  the  season  of 

orant,  and  I  have  no 

ription  here. 

lie  middle  of  Aiigust, 

in  the  marshes  on  the 
e  flocks  uniting  their 
ndred  birds  are  found 
ortsmeu  "Dough "or 
od  condition  and  well 
are  hunted  with  great 
conceal  themselves  in 
of  the  Golden  Plover 
numbers.   They  meet 
at  very  remunerative 
Linuers  realizing  sixty 
shooting. 


At  this  season,  these  birds  associate  witli  otlier  species ; 
and  it  is  a  common  occurrence  to  l)ring  to  the  ground,  at 
one  discharge  of  the  gun  into  one  of  those  floci<s,  two  or 
three  different  species. 

By  the  20th  of  September,  they  have  left  our  shores. 
Tliey  are  most  abundant  about  tho  first  week  in  tliat  month. 

LIMOSA  KVHSOmCA.  —  Sirmnsnn. 

The  Hudsonian  Godwit. 

Scohpax  Iludsorica,  Latham.    Ind.  Om.,  II.  (1790)  720. 

Limosa  Iludionica.  Sw.  F.  B.  A.,  II.  (1831)  396.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  176 
Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  426;  "V.  592.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  335 

DKSCRimoN. 

Smaller  than  the  preceding;  bill  longer  than  the  licad;  botli  U'andiblca  grooved, 
slightly  recurved;  wings  long;  legs  moderate;  membrane  uniting  the  outer  and 
middle  toe  large. 

Adult.  —  Upper  parts  brownish-black,  with  spots  and  transverse  bars  nf  pule- 
reddish  on  the  b.ick;  rump  brownish-black ;  upper  tail  coverts  white;  wing  covert.s 
and  shorter  quills  dark-cinereous;  primaries  brownisli-black ;  under  parts  ycllnwisli- 
red,  with  transverse  bars  of  brownish-black  on  the  breast  and  sides  and  undtT  t;\il 
coverts,  and  frequently  with  the  feathers  on  the  abdomen  widely  tipped  wiili  white; 
tail  black,  with  the  base  white,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white;  under  wing  coverts 
and  axillaty  feathers  black ;  shafts  of  primaries  white ;  bill  pale-yellowish  at  base ; 
tip  brownish-black ;  legs  bluish-brown. 

Ycntnger.  —  Head  and  upper  parts  cinereous,  irregularly  marked  on  the  top  of  the 
head,  and  on  the  back,  with  brownish-black:  stripe  before,  and  over  the  eye,  white: 
imder  parts  dull  yellowish-white;  under  wing  coverts  and  axillaries  black;  rump 
black;  upper  tail  coverts  white;  tail  black;  base  and  tip  white;  bill  yellow,  tippid 
with  brownish-black;  legs  dark-brown;  iris  brown. 

Total  length,  about  fifteen  inches;  wing,  eight;  tail,  three;  jill,  two  and  three- 
quarters  to  three  and  a  half;  tarsus,  two  and  a  half  inches. 

This  species  is  less  abundant  than  the  preceding,  seldom 
more  than  a  half-dozen  specimens  being  taken  in  a  season 
oil  our  coast.  It  associates  with  the  other,  and  has  all  it.s 
habits  and  characteristics.  It  is  called  by  the  gunners,  the 
"  Smaller  Doe-bird." 

Like  the  Greater  Godwit,  it  breeds  in  the  most  northern 

.sections  of  the  country.     I  have  no  specimen  of  its  egg 

b^^  .       and  can  give  no  description  of  its  breeding  habits 

). 

80 


# 


466 


OriNlTHOLOGY   AND  OOLOGY. 


NUMEXItTS,  T.iNS.Kiis. 

iVumeni'ui,  I.iNN.Tci's.  Syst.  Nat.  (1740).  (Typo  Scalnprix  ariunln,  \,.) 
I.ej^a  covcrcil  anteriorly  with  trnnsvcrsL'  scutfllic,  laterally  niid  beliiiid  with  small 
hiixngonal  Rcales;  bill  very  Itmg,  cxcooding  the  tibia,  and  curved  downward?  fur 
the  terminal  hall;  the  ciilmen  rounded;  tip  of  bill  ex|)anded  laterally,  anil  cliil>- 
shaped;  grooves  of  bill  not  reaching  beyond  the  middle;  tcrtiuls  as  long  oa  pri- 
maries. 


1 '; 

3     *^ 


NUMENIUS  LONGIROSTEIS.— mVs'm. 

The  Long-billed  Curlew;  Sickle-bill  Curlew. 

Numeniiis  hrxjirnslris,  Wilson.     Am.  Om.,  VIII    (1814)  24.     Nutt.  Man.,  11. 

(1834)  8S.    And.  Orn.  liiog.,  III.  (1835)  240;   V.  587.     lb.,  IJirds  Am.,  VI.  (1843) 

85. 

Description. 

The  largest  American  species  of  this  genus;  bill  very  long,  much  curved;  upper 
mandible  longer  than  the  under,  somcwiiat  knobbed  at  the  tip;  wing  rather  long; 
legs  modcrat*;  toes  united  at  base;  entire  upper  parts  jiale-rulnus,  tinged  with 
nshy;  every  feather  with  transverse  and  confluent  bands  of  brownish-black,  mou 
numerous  and  predominating  on  the  back  and  scapulars;  secondary  quills,  under 
wing  coverts,  and  axillarics,  bright-rufous;  primaries  with  their  outer  webs  brownish- 
blnck,  and  their  inner  webs  rufous,  with  transverse  bands  of  black;  under  parts 
pale-rufous,  with  longitudinal  lines  of  black  on  the  neck  and  sides;  tail  rufoua, 
tinged  with  ashy,  transversely  barred  with  brownish-black;  bill  brownish-black; 
base  of  under  niamlible  reddish-yellow;  legs  bluish-brown;  specimens  vary  to  some 
extent  in  the  shade  of  the  rufous  color  of  the  plumage,  and  very  much  in  the  length 
of  the  bill;  the  rufous  color  is  probably  more  distinct  in  the  j'oung;  iris  hazel. 

Total  length,  about  twentj'-iive  inches;  wing,  ten  to  eleven;  tail,  four;  bill,  five 
to  eight;  tarsus,  two  and  a  quarter  inches. 

Ilab.  —  The  entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America. 


This  spcci(?s  is  not  very  abundant  on  our  coast  in  the 
spring  and  autumn.  Wilson,  in  describing  its  habits, 
says, — 

"  Like  the  preceding,  this  bird  is  an  inhabitant  of  marshes  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  ses.  It  is  also  found  in  the  interior,  where,  from 
its  long  bill,  and  loud,  whistling  note,  it  is  generally  known. 

"The  Curlews  appear  in  the  salt  marshes  of  New  Jersey  about 
the  middle  of  May,  on  their  way  to  the  north ;  and  in  September, 
on  their  return  from  their  breeding-places.  Their  food  consists 
chiefly  of  small  crabs,  which  they  are  very  dexterous  at  probing 
for,  and  pulling  out  of  the  holes  with  their  long  bills;  they  also 
feed  on  those  small  sea-snails  so  abundant  in  the  marshes,  and  on 


>0Y. 


TJIK   SIIOUT-UILLED   OR    HUKSONIAN   CUULKW. 


Wl 


kohpnx  arqurtln,  L.) 
irally  ami  beliiiul  with  Binall 
.and"  curved  downwards  f.T 
'xi.andfd  laterally,  and  dul'- 
dle;  tcrtiuls  aa  lout'  as  i)ii- 


■  WiUon. 

)ill  Curlew. 

(1814)  24.     Nutt.  Man.,  n. 
.     lb.,  Hirds  Am.,  VI.  (1*43) 

cry  long,  much  curved;  upper 
at" the  tip;  wing  rather  long; 
parts   palc-rul'ous,  tinged  with 
bands  of  brownish-black,  moU 
pillars ;  sceondary  quills,  under 
with  their  outer  webs  brownish- 
bands  of  black;  under  parts 
ic  neck  and  sides;  tail  rufous, 
sh -black;  bill  brownish-black; 
brown;  specimens  vary  to  some 
re,  and  very  much  in  the  length 
tin  the  young;  iris  hazel. 
1  to  eleven;  tail,  four;  bill,  five 

nerica. 

on  our  coast  in  the 
describing   its  habits, 


habitant  of  marshes  in  the 
the  interior,  wiiere,  from 
generally  known, 
hes  of  New  Jersey  about 
lorth;  and  in  September, 
ces.     Their  food  consists 
ery  dexterous  at  probing 
lieir  long  bills ;   they  also 
t  in  the  marshes,  and  on 


various  worms  and  insecti».  Tlioy  .ire  likttwi.st;  ioml  ul'  luiiiiiMf 
berries,  fn-quenting  the  fields  and  ui)lands  in  search  of  this  fruit, 
oil  which  they  get  very  fat,  and  ai-c  then  tonder  and  good  catini;. 
altogetlicr  free  from  the  sedgy  taste  with  wliidi  their  tlcsli  is  usually 
t;iiiit('d  while  tliey  feed  in  the  salt  marshes. 

"  The  Curlews  fly  high,  generally  in  a  wtulge-like  form,  somewhat 
le.'iemhling  certain  Duci<s,  occasionally  uttering  tlieir  loud,  whistling 
note,  by  a  dexterous  imitation  of  which  a  wiiole  Hock  may  some- 
times be  enticed  within  gun-ihot,  while  the  cries  of  the  wounded 
are  sure  to  detain  them  until  the  gunner  has  made  rope  d  shots 
and  great  havoo  among  them." 

The  eggs  of  the  Long-billed  Curlew  arc  four  in  num 
bcr.     Tliey   are  pyriform   in   shape,   and   almost  e.Kuctly 
resemble   the   eggs   of    the   Willct,   but    are   considerably 
larger ;  their  dimensions  being  2.75  inch  in  Icigth  by  1.9t5 
in  breadth. 

Along  the  shores  of  the  northern  side  of  Cape  Cod,  this 
species  is  most  abundant  in  the  autumnal  fliglit,  where  it 
appears  in  flocks  of  fifteen  or  twenty.  Like  many  others  of 
our  shore-birds,  it  is  taken,  with  the  aid  of  decoys,  by  per- 
sons concealed  in  pits  ;  and,  being  a  delicate  and  well-con- 
ditioned bird,  it  is  in  high  esteem,  and  much  sought  for  in 
the  markets  where  it  is  exposed  for  sale. 

HUMENIDS  RVDSOmCVS.  — Latham. 
The  Short-billed  or  Hudsonian  Curlew. 

Sflrfopaa;  Joren/ts,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VII.  (1813)  22. 

Numenius  Ilvdsonicut,  Nuttall.  Man.,  11.  (1834)  97.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  m. 
(1635)  283;  V.  589.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  42. 

DnscniPTioN. 

Sm.nllerthan  the  preceding;  bili  about  twice  the  length  of  the  head;  wings  long; 
tail  short;  legs  moderate;  head  above  brownish-black,  with  a  longitmlinal  band: 
other  upper  parts  brownish-black,  tinged  with  ashy,  spotted  with  dull  yellowish- 
white,  and  lighter  on  the  rump;  under  parts  dull  yellowish-white,  with  loiigitiidiiial 
narrow  stripes  of  blackish-brown  on  tlie  neck  and  breast;  under  wing  coverts  and 
axillaries  pale  ashy-rufous,  transversely  barred  with  black ;  quills  brownish-black, 
with  transverse,  bars  of  pale-rufous  on  the  inner  webs;  tail  brownish-black,  with 


di^i 


4)1^ 


OIlNITHOLOfiY    AND   OOLOflY. 


tronsveisp  Imrs  of  pnio  ashr-lirowti ;  hill  browninli-hlnck ;  hnxe  of  lower  maiidilil' 
rtMtdisli-ycIlow;  Ic^h  Krponislihrnwn;  upocimcnn  vrtry  in  thr>  ulindc  of  the  liuli  i 
colurfl  of  ti'(!  pUiiiiii;{c  and  in  the  longth  of  thu  bill;  iri.t  lirnwn. 

Smiillpr,  ntid  with  the  colors  diiriTciit  iy<im  the  preordiiif;.  I  his  hird  i-i  repn'- 
lentcd  a',  alininliint  in  the  nurtlicm  rcj^inns  of  thU  ri>nlint>nt,  hut  Ih  much  \i'** 
frequcDC  in  tlie  I'nitod  StateK  than  thu  pri'ciMlin^;. 

Total  lcti(;tli,  about  eighteen  in(hei);  win^,  nine;  tail,  four;  hill,  three  to  four; 
tamii^,  two  and  a  c|uartor  inches. 

flnb.  —  Athintic  and  Pacific  coasts  of  North  America;  (^alifoniia  (Mr  Cii*- 
»i  Jy ). 


»:r 


This  species  is  rare  in  New  Enpland.  1  have  never  mot 
with  it  alive,  find  will  have  to  depend  npon  the  observations 
of  others.     Wilson  says, — 

"  The  Short-billed  Ciirlnw  tirrives  m  Inrge  flocks  on  the  seacoast 
of  New  Jersey  early  in  IMay,  from  Iho  South ;  frequents  the  salt 
marslics,  muddy  shores,  uiul  inlets,  feedinjr  on  small  worma  and 
minute  shell-fish.  They  are  most  commoidy  seen  on  mud-flats  at  low 
water,  in  company  with  various  other  Waders  ;  and,  at  high  water, 
roam  along  the  marslies.  They  fly  high,  and  with  great  rapidity. 
A  few  are  seen  in  June,  and  as  late  as  the  beginning  of  July,  when 
they  generally  move  off  toward  the  North.  Their  appearance  on 
these  occasions  is  very  interesting :  they  collect  together  from  tlio 
marshes,  as  if  by  premeditated  design,  rise  to  a  great  lieight  in 
the  air,  usually  an  hour  before  sunset ;  and,  forming  in  one  vast 
line,  keep  up  a  constant  whistling  on  their  way  to  the  north,  as 
if  convening  with  one  another  to  render  the  journey  more  agree- 
able." 


Nuttall  says, — 

"  From  the  middle  of  August  to  the  beginning  of  September, 
they  arrive  in  the  vicinity  of  Massachusetts  Bay  and  other  parts  of 
New  England,  frequenting  the  pastures  as  well  as  marshes,  and 
fatten  on  grasshoppers  and  berries  till  the  time  of  their  departure, 
about  the  close  of  September." 


THE    ESyUlMAUX   (LULKW. 


4U8 


.e  beginning  of  July,  wliou 


NDUENIUS   BOREALIS.  -  hiih.im. 

Tba  Esquimaux  Curlew. 

SumeniutU>renlii,'Sutta\\.  Man  ,  II.  (1834)  lOU.  Aud.  Urn.  Ilioj; ,  111.  (l>>81) 
SO;  V.  690.     lb.,  Uirds  Am.,  VI.  (1H43)  45. 

DK.stiurrio.N. 

Miuli  sinallcT  tlmii  citlii'r  of  the  prcitdiiij,',  liul  v  .n.ililiiin  .V.  llmUim'n'iit  in  iiilDrj 
lii'.l  rutlicr  longer  than  the  head.  slencUr;  wind's  lunKi  tall  shcrt;  \\.%*  modorute; 
entire  upiier  parts  bruwni«h-l)lui  k,  spotted  with  dull  yellnwiiih-rulbiiR;  tpiills  brown- 
i^ll-llla(■k,  unit'onu  on  both  webi^,  wilhoiit  burs  ou  either;  under  win;;  coverts  and 
n.^illarieH  lifcht-rnCous,  with  tran»ver.-e  .stripes  of  browiiisli-biack ;  iindiT  partM  dull- 
\tliile,  tniKed  with  rul'ou.i,  with  longltiidinul  narrow  utripe.t  of  bruwni^h-black  on  the 
lieek  ami  breast,  and  transverse  stripe.s  of  the  same  on  the  side.s  and  under  tail 
coverts;  tail  ashy-brown,  willi  transverse  bauds  of  brownish-blaek;  bill  biownish- 
bluek;  base  of  under  nuindible  yellow;   legs  greenisb-bruwn;   iris  dark-brown. 

Total  length,  about  thirteen  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  eight  and  a  (piarler;  tail, 
three;  bill,  two  und  u  quarter  to  two  and  a  half;  tarsus,  one  and  lliree-<|uarterR 
inches. 

This  snnall  and  interesting  Curlew  is  merely  a  bird  of  passage  in  the  United 
States,  to  be  nut  with  in  the  Hprin^;  and  autumn.  It  Is  easily  distinguished  I'roni 
either  of  the  preceding  by  its  small  size  and  its  comparatively  short  and  weak  bill 
We  have  never  seen  it  from  the  western  countries  of  the  United  States. 

It  is  only  in  tho  migrations  that  this  bird  visits  Nuw 
Kiigland,  and  then  only  in  small  munbors.  Tboy  make 
their  appearance  by  the  last  week  in  April,  and  pass  to  the 
most  northern  sections,  where  they  Ijieed,  aud  tlnjii  return 
here  about  the  first  week  in  Peptombcr. 

Says  Nuttall,  "On  tho  loth  of  June,  182-J,  Dr.  Riuli- 
ardson  discovered  one  of  these  Curlews  sitting  on  throe 
eggs,  on  tho  shore  of  Point  Lake.  When  appruached,  she 
ran  a  short  distance  from  the  nest,  crouching  near  to  tho 
ground,  and  then  stopped  to  watch  the  motions  of  her 
encroaching  visitor.  The  eggs,  sometimes  as  many  as  four, 
have  a  pyriform  shape,  and  a  sifekin-groen  color,  clouded 
with  a  few  irregular  spots  of  bright  aimber-brown." 

Ou  their  return  in  autumn,  this  Curlew  lias  all  the  habits 
of  the  two  preceding  species :  like  them,  "  they  are  remark- 
ably gregarious,  each  company  seeming  to  follow  some  tem- 
porary leader ;  and,  on  starting  to  fly,  a  sort  of  watch-cry 
i.s  heard,  resembling   the  whistling   pronunciation   of  the 


470 


(mMTIIOUXiV    AM)    OOLiXJV 


word  fiir-ht'f.  On  tluiir  iinival  from  tlio  North,  tlu!)'  aro 
vui-y  I'lit,  |)luiii|),  ami  well  fliivorrd,  and  iiiclinlt'd,  like  t)i<> 
prccfdiii;^  ami  I  Ik;  Marliltjd  (iodwit,  uiidm'  tin;  g(;iu;nil  iiuuii: 
of  Doc-binU  :  tlioy  iiro  souglit  out  hy  epicures,  and  onlmiict) 
tlio  vuliio  of  a  tublu  ontortaimnoiit."  Tlu;)'  frociuoiit  tlio 
uiarslios  and  adjoiniii)^  pastuicrt,  wIkuo  tliuy  food  muoli  upnii 
grasslioppors  ami  olli(;f  iiisocls  and  oartliwonn.s,  which  tlicy 
colloul  piiiicijiully  towards  ovoniiig,  or  early  in  tlio  morning. 


Trioe  I'alldicoi,^:,' 


:i 


■%  ••-j 


5J 


Spi'cii'H  liviii)^  in  niarslu's,  wit.i  flevotud  boilios,  much  comprcsBcd  laternllv: 
ustually  with  lun(;i;r  niitks  tliuii  niosl  Snipi',  with  mudiTali'ly  loii^,  stronj?,  iiiiil  stout 
billH,  ulrto  imu'li  Cdinprt'sst'd,  and  covered  at  tip  hy  a  horny  invcHtniciit ;  tin'  rcinaiiiiiii^ 
portion  nieinbranou.s,  witli  elouKatcd  nasal  furrow,  and  narrow,  more  or  less  perlor- 
ate,  nostrilw;  the  lores  are  fualliered  unilbrndy  as  in  the  LiinicnUe ;  the  rest  of  lliu 
piumat^e  without  the  spotting;  of  the  Snipes;  wiii;;s  rather  short,  more  roundeil  than 
pointed,  and  when  folded  do  not  reach  beyond  the  short,  8oft,  and  l'eel)lo  tail,  in 
fact,  seldom  to  its  base;  the  outer  two  or  three  primaries  j;enerally  abbreviated;  tlio 
toes  aro  very  lonj?,  cleft  to  the  base,  thin,  and  jjenerally  with  verj-  lon^  claws; 
the  same  is  the  case  with  the  hind  toe,  which  is  not  only  niueli  lonjjer  than  in  tl.e 
Liinkulai,  but  is  (generally  inserted  more  nearly  un  the  same  level  with  the  anterior 
ones,  touching  the  ground  for  most  of  its  extent. 

The  species  pick  up  their  food  on  the  surfuco,  ond  do  not  probo  the  soft  mud  in 
search  of  it. 

The  North-American  species  of  this  tribe  aro  few  in  number,  though  very  aljun- 
dant  in  individuals.  Their  habit  of  close  concealment  among  tho  reeds  and  (;rasi 
of  marshy  places  rcinlers  them  very  ditlicult  of  detection,  except  when  their  abodes 
•re  more  or  less  submerged. 


Suh-Family  Rallin.«.  —  The  Rails. 
RALLUS,  LINN.KU8. 

Rallits,  LisN.KUs,  Syst.  Nat. 

Bill  longer  thnn  the  head,  rather  slender,  compressed;  upper  tnandildo  slightly 
cun-ed;  nostrils  in  a  long  groove,  and  with  a  large  membrane;  wings  short;  tertiary 
quills  long,  frequently  longer  than  the  primaries;  tail  very  short;  legs  modemte; 
tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  too,  and  covered  on  all  sides  with  transver.'.e  scales; 
toes  long  and  rather  slender;  inner  toe  rather  shorter  than  the  outer;  hind  toe  sb.d 
and  weak. 


1  See  Introduction. 


,00  Y. 

tlio  Nortli,  tlioy  ait' 
ml  iiicliiilt'tl,  like  tlf 
ulcr  til"!  gt;ii<;nil  niuiir 
jpicuros,  and  onhiuiri! 

TIh!)'    IVcClUtMlt    till' 

!  tliey  loctl  iimcli  \ipou 

rthwonus,  which  tlicy 

oarly  in  Iho  luoniing. 


K.' 

s,  much  compressed  laterally: 
(U'Wli'ly  loiiK.  stvmiK.  ""'l """" 
(irny  invcrttmitit;  tli"  rcmainim,' 
ml  narrow,  inoro  or  k.-^s  \Krhir- 
ill  the  LimkiiUf,  the  rest  of  lliu 
rather  short,  mnre  roiimlril  th;iii 
le  short,  soft,  uiid  t'eehle  tail,  in 
;iries  jjeiierally  abbreviated;  tlio 
eiierally  with  very  loiiK  daws 
uiily  much  loiiKir  than  in  tl.e 
lie  same  level  with  the  aiiteriur 

1  do  not  probe  the  suit  inud  in 

V  ill  number,  though  very  ainm- 

cut  among  "'O  f'^"'**  "'"'  ^^'^** 
cction,  except  when  their  abodes 


The  Rails. 


iresscd;  upper  mandible  slightly 
membrane;  winns  short;  tertiary 
tail  very  short;  legs  moderate; 
n  all  sides  with  transverse  scales ; 
er  than  the  outer;  hind  toe  sb,M 


i 


a« 


S 


t-f. 


■  •<   fj 


»^ 


"^  ^ 


HiQ 


THE   CLAPPER   RAIL. 


171 


RALLUS    ELEGANS.  — /Iu(/u6(m. 

Marsh  Hen. 

Rallus  (hgans,  Audubon.    Orii.  IJiog.,  IIL  (1837)  27. 
Jidllus  crtjnlans,  Wilson.    Am.  Oru.,  VII.  (lM3j. 

Desckution. 

Upper  parts  olivc-browi:,  with  longititlinal  stripes  of  brownish-black,  most 
miinordiis  on  the  back;  line  from  the  base  of  the  bill  over  the  eye  dull  orunpe-ycl- 
low;  space  before  and  behind  the  eye  browni.sli-tinereous;  throat  .ind  lnwtr  evelid 
white;  neck  before  and  breast  bright  ruf(j.>-ehe,--tiiut;  tiides  and  abdomen,  and  under 
tail  coverts,  with  traiL-iverse  bands  of  browni.sh-bluek  and  white,  the  dark  bands 
being  the  wider;  tibioe  dull  yellowi.sh-white,  with  spots  and  tranhvtrse  bars  of  u.->hv- 
lirowu;  upper  wing  coverts  reddish-chestnut;  under  wing  everts  black,  with  trans- 
verse lines  of  white.     Sexes  alike. 

Total  length  (from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail),  about  seventeen  inches;  wing,  six 
and  llfty  one-hundredths ;  tail,  three  inches. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  so  exceedingly  rare  in  Now  Eng- 
land, that  it  can  be  regarded  only  as  a  straggler  from  its 
southern  home.  It  has  all  the  habits  of  the  following 
species ;  and  its  eggs  exactly  resemble  those  of  the  Clapjjer 
Rail,  but  average  about  one-fifth  larger. 


EALLUS    CREPITANS.  —  Gmtlin. 

The  Clapper  Bail;  Mud-hen. 

Rallui  crepitans,  Gmelin.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1788)  713.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  Vll. 
(1813)  112.   Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IIL  (1835)  33;  V.  570.   Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  106. 

Description. 

Upper  parts  light  ashy-olive,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brownisli-black,  most 
numerous  on  the  back;  a  lino  of  dull  yellowish-whitu  from  the  base  of  the  bill  over 
the  eye;  space  before  and  behind  the  eye  ashy;  throat  and  under  eyelid  white; 
n«'ck  before  and  breast  pale  reddish-yellow,  or  tawny,  tinged  with  bluish-ashy  on 
the  breast:  sides,  abdomen,  under  taii  coverts,  and  tibiie,  with  ttansverse  bands  of 
brownish-black  and  wliite,  the  former  being  the  wider;  upper  wing  coverts  brown- 
i.sh-olive;  under  wing  coverts  black,  with  transverse  lines  of  white;  iris  pale-yellow. 

Total  length  (to  end  of  tail),  about  fourteen  inches;  wing,  live  and  a  half;  tail, 
two  and  a  half  inches. 

This  bird,  so  well  known  in  the  Middle  and  Soutiiern 
States,  is  rarely  found  in  New  England  as  a  summer  visi- 
tor. It  has  been  known  to  breed  in  the  most  southern 
localities  in  these  States ;  but  the  instances  are  few,  and  it 
can  be  called  only  an  accidental  species  in  New  England. 


472 


OUNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


i.i: 


It  begins  to  build  about  tlie  lOtli  of  May.  The  nest  is 
placed  on  tlie  ground  in  a  marsh,  sometimes  in  a  tussock  ol' 
grass  or  on  a  pile  of  seaweed :  it  is  constructed  of  a  largt; 
mass  of  dried  grasses  and  weeds,  and  is  but  little  hollowed. 
The  eggs  are  from  five  to  seven  or  eiglit  in  number.  Theii- 
form  is  usually  ovoidul,  and  their  primary  color  dull  creamy- 
drab  or  dirty-buir.  This  is  marked  more  or  less  thickly  with 
sjiots  and  blotches  of  different  shades  of  brown  and  obscure 
spots  of  lilac.  The  nearest  in  resemblance  to  these  eggs 
are  those  of  the  Woodcock  ;  but,  when  a  number  of  each  are 
placed  side  by  side,  the  eggs  of  the  latter  may  be  readily 
identified  by  their  generally  more  pyriforra  shape.  The 
dimensions  of  the  eggs  of  the  Clapper  Rail  vary  from 
1.82  by  1.25  inch  to  1.63  by  1.14  inch.  The  greater 
number  of  sjjots  are  more  of  a  purplish  tint ;  and  they 
are  generally  rather  sparingly  distributed  over  the  entire 

The  habits  of  this  species  are  similar  to  those  of  the  fol- 
lowing ;  but  the  Clapper  Rail  seems  to  prefer  for  it'  home 
the  marshes  in  the  neighborhood  of  salt  water. 


EALLUS    VIEGINIANUS.  — imntEMS. 

The  Virginia  Bail. 

Kallus  Mryinianm,  Linnaeus.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1766)  263.  Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VIL 
(181!5)  109.  NuU.  Man.,  IL  (1834)'205.  Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IIL  (1835)  4I5  V.  673. 
76.,  liiids  Am.,  V.  (1842)  174. 

Description. 

Slucli  fiiialler  tlinn  cither  of  the  preceding,  but  resembling  tliem  in  form,  oinl 
resembling  also  11.  nhtjints  in  colors;  upper  parts  olive-brown,  with  longitudinal 
.stripes  of  browni.'ih-blaek;  line  from  base  of  bill  over  the  eye  reddish-white;  throat 
white;  neck  before  and  brea.^t  bright-rufous;  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  with 
transverse  bands  of  black  aud  white,  thetbriner  being  the  wider;  upper  wing  covert* 
bright  rutbiis-cliestnut;  under  wing  coverts  black,  with  transverse  lines  of  white, 
iris  briglit-red. 

Total  length  (from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail),  about  seven  and  a  half  inches;  winR 
lour;  tail,  cue  and  a  half  incites. 


This  handsome  species   is   pretty   gcnorally  distributed 
tl  roughout  Now  England  as  a  summer  resident.     Unliki 


THI':    VIRGINIA    liAlL. 


47:5 


esembling  tliem  in  form,  and 
live-brown,  with  longitudinal 
the  eye  reddish-white ;  throat 
and  under  tail  coverts  with 
the  wider;  upper  wins  coveru 
ith  transverse  lines  of  white; 

icven  and  a  half  inches;  wins 


the  jirucediujr,  it  locates  itself  in  the  fresli-water  mead- 
ows, where,  iu  a  tussock  ui"  grass  or  in  a  jjile  of  ilrif;- 
weed,  it  forms  its  nest.  This  is  nothing  but  a  pile  of 
weeds  or  grass,  which  it  arranges  in  a  compact  manner, 
aid  hollows  to  the  depth  of  perhaps  an  inch  or  an  inch  and 
a  hair. 

The  eggs  are  from  six  to  ten  in  munber,  usnally  about 
seven.  They  are  ovoidal  in  form,  and  generally  seem  to  be 
like  a  miniature  of  those  of  the  Chipper  Rail:  some  speci- 
mens, collected  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  are  of  a  deep-buff  color  ; 
but  none  approach  the  color  of  the  Carolina  Kail  suflicieiitly 
to  be  mistaken  for  them.  They  are  spotted  with  small 
marks  of  reddish  and  brown,  and  with  a  few  obscure  spots 
of  lilac.  They  vary  iu  their  dimensions  from  1.30  by  .96  to 
1.2.3  by  .90  inch. 

This  species  is  undoubtedly  more  abundant  in  New 
England,  particularly  in  its  southern  portions,  than  most  per- 
sons generally  believe.  It  is  of  very  retiring  habits  ;  and  as 
it  selects  the  almost  inaccessible  meado'.vs  and  boggy  swamps 
for  its  sanmicr  home,  and,  when  approached,  quickly  retreats 
into  the  farthest  recesses,  I  am  not  sui prised  that  it  is  in 
most  cases  overlooked.  I  have  found  it  breeding  in  many 
localities  in  Massachusetts,  and  have  no  hesitation  in  call- 
ing it  one  of  the  commonest  of  our  Grallatores.  It  feeds 
only  during  the  twilight  and  in  early  dawn,  and  remains 
concealed  in  the  grass  during  the  greater  part  of  the  day 
Its  food  consists  of  various  insects  and  worms,  such  as  are 
aljundant  in  the  localities  which  it  frequents.  It  leaves  New 
England  for  the  South  by  the  10th  of  September. 

PORZANA,  ViEiixoT. 

Porzana,  Vieillot,  Anal.,  p.  61  (1816),  61.     (T\pe  Rnllus jiorzana,  L.) 
Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  compressed,  straight;  nostrils  in  a  wide  groove,  with 
a  large  membrane;  wings  moderate;  primaries  longer  than  tertiarie';  tail  short; 
tarsus  about  the  length  of  the  middle  toe;  toes  long;  inner  toe  slightly  shorter  thao 
thfc  outer;  general  form  compressed  and  slender;  legs  rather  robust. 


474 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


.^3 


t:c 


ft- 


.~,> 


»)C 


PORZANA  CAEOLINA, 

The  Carolina  Bail;   Ortolan. 

liallus  {Crez)  Carolinus,  Bonaparte.  Obs.  Wils.  (1825),  No.  230.  Nutt.  Man., 
IT   (1834)208. 

OtiijiiumeLra  Carolina,  Audubon.    Birds  Am.,  V.  (1842)  145. 

DESCKU'TION. 

Space  around  ilie  base  of  the  bill,  extending  downwards  on  the  neck  before  and 
aver  the  top  of  the  head,  black. 

Male. —  Upper  parts  greenish-brown,  with  loiigitudinal  bands  of  black,  iind 
many  feathers  havin;;  narrow  stripes  of  white  on  tlieir  edges;  behind  the  eye,  sides 
of  the  neck,  and  tlie  breast,  tine  bluish-asliy,  wi.h  circular  spots  and  transverse 
bands  of  white  on  the  breast;  middle  of  the  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  white; 
sides  and  flanks  with  transverse  bands  of  brownish-black  and  white;  bill  greenish- 
yellow;  legs  dark-green. 

Ftmale.  —  Similar,  but  duller  in  colors. 

Youni).  —  Without  black  at  the  baie  of  the  bill  or  on  i\.p.  neck;  throat  dull-white; 
breast  dull  yellowi.-h-ashy ;  upper  parts  tinged  with  dii!i-\\!'low;  iris  chestnut. 

Total  length,  about  eight  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  if  ur  and  a  quarter;  tail,  two 
inches. 

This  species,  like  the  Virginia  Rr.il,  is  probably  more 
abundant  iu  our  fresh-water  meadows?  than  is  generally  sup- 
posed. It  arrives  m  April,  about  the  lOth  ;  and,  separating 
into  pairs,  takes  up  its  residence  ii.  the  inland  marshes, 
where  it  breeds,  and  remains  until  its  departure  for  the 
South,  about  the  middle  of  October.  Early  in  May  the  sea- 
son of  inr"'"".t.iou  commences.  The  nest  is  constructed  of 
pieces  o^  -i  ;.»'  and  weed,  arranged  in  a  large  pile,  and  hol- 
lowed to  tlio  depth  of  an  inch  or  more :  it  is  usually  placed 
iu  a  tussock  of  grass,  or  beneath  a  piece  of  turf.  A  speci- 
men which  I  found  in  Dedham  meadows  w^as  built  beneath 
some  thick  cranberry-vines,  and  I  have  known  of  others 
being  placed  iu  small  brier  patches ;  but  generally  the 
fabric  is  built  in  an  open  meadow,  usually  on  an  elevated 
tussock  in  a  boggy  tract  of  ground.  The  eggs  vary  from 
five  to  eight  or  ten  in  number :  their  form  is  almost  always 
an  exact  ovoidal.  Their  color  is  a  yellow-drab,  with  a  faint- 
olivaceous  thit,  different  from  the  color  of  any  of  our  other 
Rail's  eggs.  They  vary  iu  dimensions  from  1.35  by  1  inch 
(Quincy,  Mass.)  to  1.15  by  .85  inch  (Albion,  Wis.).     The 


m 


:  "-■^*«5». 


THE   YELLOW   RAIL. 


475 


t*.- 


■da  on  the  neck  before  and 


average  size  is  about  1.2G  by  1.02  (Cambridge  and  Nccd- 
liam,  Mass.). 

After  leaving  Now  England  and  other  northern  breeding- 
places,  this  species  congregates  in  great  numbers  on  the 
shores  of  some  of  the  southern  streams  and  bays,  wiujre 
they  furnish  much  sport  to  the  gunners  of  those  luealilics. 

POEZANA   NOVEBOSACENSIS. 

The  Yellow  Bail. 

Ortyr/ometra  Noveborncensis,  Audubon.    Birds  .\m.,  V.  (1842)  1S2. 
Rallus  N "'eboracensis  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (183S)  .'."il. 

Deschu'tion. 

Entire  upper  parts  ochre-yellow,  witli  longitudinal  wide  stripes  of  brownish-black 
and  transverse  narrow  strii)es  of  wliite;  neck  and  broast  reddish  ochre-yellow; 
many  featlicrs  tipped  with  brown;  middle  of  abdun\en  white;  llanlis  and  vcMitnil 
region  with  wide  transverse  bands  of  dark  roddisli-bmwn  and  narrow  bands  of 
white;  under  tail  coverts  rufous,  willi  small  .^pots  of  white;  undir  -ving  coverts 
white;   iris  liazel. 

Total  length  (from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail),  about  six  inches;  wing,  three  and  a 
quarter;  tail,  one  and  three-quarters  inches. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  an  exceedingly  rare  spring  and 
autumn  visitor  in  New  England.  I  have,  in  a  number  of 
years'  shooting,  been  able  to  procure  l)ut  two ;  and  have 
not  heai'd  of  more  than  two  or  three  more  being  taken  liere. 
It  has  all  the  characteristics  of  the  other  species,  but  prefers 
the  fresh-water  meadows  to  the  salt  marshes.^  Dr.  Richard- 
son, in  his  "  Northern  Zoology,"  says,  "  This  elegant  bird 
is  an  inhabitant  of  the  marslies  on  the  coast  of  Hudson's 
Bay,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Severn  River,  froni  the  middle 
of  May  to  the  end  of  Septemljcr.  It  never  (lies  above 
sixty  yards  at  a  time,  but  runs  with  great  rapidity  among 
the  long  grass  near  the  shores.  In  the  morning  and  evening, 
it  utters  a  note  which  resembles  tlie  striking  of  a  flint  and 
steel :  at  other  times,  it  makes  a  shrieking  noise.  It  builds 
no  nest,  but  lays  from  ten  to  sixteen  white  eggs  among  the 
grass." 

1  The  specimens  that  i  procured  were  found  in  fresh-water  meadows  early  io 
3epte;nlier. 


470 


OUNITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


FULICA,  LiNNHJUS. 

Fulica,  L1NN/KU8,  Sygt.  Nat.  (1735).  (Type  Fulira  ntra,  L.) 
Hill  Rhorter  than  the  head,  strai^'ht,  Mroni;,  compressed,  and  advancing  into  tha 
feathers  of  the  forehead,  where  il  frequently  forma  a  wide  and  somewhat  projecting 
frontal  plate;  nostrils  in  a  groove,  with  a  large  membrane  near  the  middle  of  the 
bill;  wings  rather  short,  second  and  third  quills  usually  longest;  tail  very  short; 
tarsus  robust,  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  with  very  distinct  trauss'crse  scales;  toes 
long,  each  toe  having  semicircular  lobes,  larger  on  the  inner  side  of  the  toe;  bind 
toe  rather  long,  lubed. 


■^*  ^i 


k: 


FULICA   AMERICANA.  —  GvuUn. 

The  Coot;  Poule  d'eau;  Mud-hen. 

Fulica  Americana,  Umelin.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788?  704.     Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III. 
(1835)  291;   V.  568.     74.,  Uinls  Am.,  VI.  (1842)  138. 
Fulica  atia,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  IX.  (1825)  61. 

Descuiptiojj. 

Head  and  neck  glossy-black,  with  u  tinge  of  ashy;  under  tail  coverts  white; 
entire  other  plumage  diivk  bluish-cinereous  or  slate-color,  with  a  tinge  of  olive  on 
the  back  and  darker  on  the  rump;  edge  of  wing  at  shoulder  and  edge  of  first  pri- 
inary  white;  secondary  quills  tipped  with  white;  rump  frequently  tinged  with 
brownish;  '/ill  very  ( ''.le-yellow  or  nearly  white,  with  a  transverse  band  of  brown- 
ish-black near  the  end;  tip  white;  legs  dull  grayish-green.  Female  similar,  but 
with  the  tints  lighter.  Young  like  the  adult,  but  with  the  under  parts  lighter; 
abdomen  frequently  ashy-white;  back  and  rump  dark  olive-brown;  head  and  neck 
lighter;  iris  reddish-hazel. 

Total  length,  about  fourteen  inches;  wing,  seven;  tail,  two  inches. 

This  species  probably  breeds  in  all  the  New-Eiigland 
States,  but  not  abundantly.  It  prefers  the  neighborhood  of 
some  small  muddy  pond  for  its  habitation ;  and  its  nest  is 
usually  built  in  an  almost  inaccessible  bog.  Of  the  charac- 
ter of  the  iiost,  I  am  ignorant,  but  judge  that  it  resembles 
that  of  the  other  members  of  tliis  family. 

The  eggs  are  from  eight  to  twelve  in  number.  Their 
form  is  an  elongated  ovoid.  Their  color  is  a  pale  yellowish- 
buff,  or  dirty-cream  tint;  and  they  are  marked  with  fine  dots 
and  spots  of  dark-umber  and  obscure  tine  dots  of  lilac. 
In  all  the  specimens  that  I  have  examined,  these  dots  are 
pretty  thickly  distributed  or  sprinkled,  but  are  in  no  case 
confluent  into  blotches.  Their  dimensions  vary  from  2.10 
by  1.85  to  2  by  1.28  inch. 


NOTES. 


477 


,h.) 

and  ailvaiicing  into  tha 
ud  somewliat  projecting 
e  near  the  middle  of  the 
longest;  tuil  very  short; 
ct  trausverso  scales;  toes 
ler  Bide  of  the  toe;  hind 


14.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  HI. 


under  tail  coverts  white; 
r,  with  a  tinge  of  olive  on 
Ider  and  edge  of  first  pri-  ' 
np  fretiuently  tinged  with 

transverse  band  of  brown- 
;reen.  Female  siniilar,  but 
i  the  nnder  parts  lighter; 
ive-browu;  head  and  neck 

1,  two  inches. 

the  New-England 
he  neighborhood  of 
on ;  and  its  nest  is 
og.  Of  the  charac- 
re  that  it  resembles 

lily- 

ill  number.  Their 
.  is  a  pale  yellowish- 
larked  with  fine  dots 

tine  dots  of  lilac, 
lined,  these  dots  are 

but  are  in  no  case 
ions  vary  from  2.10 


This  species  is  more  abundant  in  the  early  spring  and 
autumn  than  in  the  rest  of  tlio  season ;  and  I  infer  from 
this,  tliat  it  breeds  principally  in  the  northern  cnuiitri(>s. 

Wilson  describes  its  general  habits  in  the  following  lan- 
guage :  — 

"  This  species  makes  its  appearance  in  Pennsylvania  ahmit  *.he 
first  of  October.  Aiaong  the  mnrlciy  flats  and  islands  of  the  river 
Delaware,  which  are  periodically  overflowed,  and  which  are  over- 
grown with  the  reed,  or  wild  oats  and  rushes,  the  Coota  are  found. 
They  are  not  numerous,  and  are  seldom  seen,  except  their  places 
of  resort  be  covered  with  water :  in  that  case,  they  are  generally 
found  sitting  on  the  fallen  reed,  waiting  for  the  ebb  of  the  tide, 
which  will  enable  them  to  feed.  Their  food  consists  of  various 
aquatic  plants,  seeds,  insects,  and,  it  is  said,  small  fish.  The  Coot 
has  an  aversion  to  take  wing,  and  can  seldom  be  sprung  in  its 
retreat  at  low  water :  for,  although  it  walks  rather  awkwardly,  yet 
it  contrives  to  skulk  through  the  grass  and  reeds  with  great  speed  ; 
the  compressed  form  of  its  body,  like  that  of  the  Rail  genus,  being 
well  adapted  to  the  purpose.  It  swims  remarkably  well ;  and, 
when  wounded,  will  dive  like  a  duck.  When  closely  pursued  in 
the  water,  it  generally  takes  to  the  shore,  rising  with  apparent- 
reluctance,  like  a  wounded  duck,  and  fluttering  along  the  surface, 
with  its  feet  pattering  on  the  water.  It  is  known  in  Pennsylvania 
by  the  name  of  the  Mud-hen." 


NOTE  S. 

I  continue  Mr.  Couper's  valuable  notes,  made  at  Quebec, 
Lower  Canada :  — 

ARDEA  E[£BOI)IAS.  — The  adult  is  never  seen  in  this  lati.uri".  However, 
in  the  fall,  tlie  young  pass  this  way  to  the  Atlantic  States.  Tliey  breed  near 
Rice  Lake,  in  Upper  Canada. 

BOTADRUS  LENTIGINOSUS.  —  The  Bittern  breeds  here,  and  appears  to 
be  common.  It  prefers  savannas  to  lakes ;  and,  as  plenty  of  food  is  found  on 
the  latter,  probably  this  species  may  visit  higher  latitudes. 

NTCTIABDEA  GARDENI.  —  Common.  Breeds  on  the  island  of  Orleans, 
eut  of  Quebec,  and  in  the  woods  adjoining  the  St.  Iiawrence,    This  bi.  i 


478 


OUNITIIOLOOY   AND   OOLOC.Y. 


suits  ita  own  convenience  in  building  in  tliis  nclKlilmrliood  ;  for  tlie  niiijorit? 
of  nesta  on  tlie  latter  island  are  tiie  architecture  of  our  Common  Crow. 

CHARADRIDS  VIEGINICUS.  —  Common  during  the  fall.  Breeds  furtlier 
north.  This  species  camo  on  board  a  steamsliip,  on  tlie  Atlantic,  six  hun- 
dred miles  out  from  Europe. 

aiGIALITIS  SEMIPALMATDS.  —  Uncommon.  Occurs  in  the  spring,  on  its 
way  north  to  breed. 

SQDATAEOLA  HELVETICA.  —  Uncommon.    Occurs  in  spring  only. 

STEEPSIIiAS  INTEEPEES.  —  Uncommon.     Only  in  spring. 

PHALAEOPDS  HTPEEBOEEUS.  —  Occasional.     Common  in  Labrador. 

PHILOHELA  MINOE.  —  Not  common.    A  few  breed. 

OALLINAGO  WILSONII.  — Abundant  in  the  spring  and  fall.  None  breed 
In  this  district :  they  go  further  north. 

MACRORHAMPHUS  GEISEUS.  —  Occasional.    None  breed. 

TEINGA  CANDTUS.  —  Occasional.    None  breed. 

T.  MAEITIMA.  —  Accidental  at  Quebec. 

T.  MACULATA.  —  Common.    None  breed. 

T.  WILSONII.  —  Occurs  in  spring.    None  breed. 

CAIilDRIS  ABENAEIA.  —  Occurs  in  spring.     Goes  far  north  to  breed. 

EEEDNETES  PETEIFICATDS.  —  Occurs  in  spring  only.    None  breed. 

GAMBETTA  MELANOLEUCA.  —  Occurs  in  immature  plumage  in  the  fall. 

GAMBETTA  FLAVIPES.  —  Occurs  in  the  fall. 

BHYaOOPHILUS  SOLITAEIUS.  —  Uncommon.  Only  noticed  in  the  spring, 
when  on  their  way  north  to  breed. 

TRINGOIDES  MAOULAEIDS.  —  Common.    Breeds. 

ACTITURUS  BAETEAMIUS.  —  Rare.     Occurs  in  the  spring. 

LIMOSA  HUDSONICA.  — Occurs  in  spring  and  fall. 

NOMIKUS  HUDSONICUS.  —  Occurs  in  the  fall. 

N.  BOREALIS.  —  Visits  Quebec  in  the  fall. 

RALLU3  VIRGINIANUS.  —  Uncommon. 

PORZANA  CAROLINA.— Uncommon. 

P.  NOVEBORACENSIS.  —  This  little  Rail  is  found  here  in  the  fall,  at 
wliich  season  it  is  found  in  Snipe-grounds.  There  is  no  doubt  that  it  breeds 
ftirther  north  than  Quebec. 

FULICA  AMERICANA.— Uncommon. 


NATATORES. 


■17  !• 


D(l;  for  tlie  mnjcritj 
Jommon  Crow. 

fall.    Breeds  further 
the  Atlantic,  8ix  hun- 

rs  in  the  spring,  on  it« 

in  spring  only. 

spring. 

imon  in  Labrador. 

1. 

and  fall.    None  breed 

8  breed. 


far  north  to  breed, 
only.  None  breed, 
re  plumage  in  the  fall. 

fily  noticed  in  the  spring, 

3. 

bie  spring. 
1. 


ORDER  VI.  — NATATORE?.      Swtm.mers. 

Toes  connected  by  memhranc  to  the  daws;  tli(>  feet  fitted  for 
Bwimming  ;  lower  part  of  the  tibia  usually  foatluTod  to  near  tlie 
joint,  which  is  bare  ;  hind  toe,  however,  usually  elevated,  and  rather 
small,  except  in  PeUcanidcB ;  fitted  for  an  aquatic  life,  swimming 
and  diving  freely;  rump  with  well-develii|i('d  oil  glands. 

The  order  Natatores,  as  characterized  al)ovf',  embraces  a  large 
number  of  species  of  very  varied  forms,  all  more  or  less  aquatic  in 
their  habits.  A  character  common  to  nil  consists  in  the  presence 
of  a  membrane  between  the  toes,  usually  extending  to  the  claws. 
This  membrane,  when  found  in  the  Grallatores,  is  confined  more 
or  less  to  the  basal  joint,  unless  Phcenicoptencs  be  an  exception. 
This  genus  has  been  variously  placed  in  both  orders,  and  it  is  still 
a  question  where  it  really  belongs.  The  internal  anatomy  resem- 
bles that  of  the  Natatores,  as  well  as  the  lamellated  bill  and  fully 
webbed  toes  ;  the  external  form  however,  as  well  as  habits,  bring 
it  nearer  the  Grallatores. 

The  order  Natatores  of  most  authors  has  been  divided  by  Bona- 
parte into  two,  —  the  Gavice  and  the  Anseres :  the  former  em- 
liracing  species  which  rear  their  young  in  nests,  and  belong  to  the 
sub-class  Altrices ;  while  the  latter  are  Prcecoces,  the  young  pro- 
curing food  for  themselves  almost  from  birth. 

GavijE.  —  Bill  without  lamellte,  and  more  or  less  entire ;  feet 
with  the  toes  all  connected  by  one  continuous  membrane ;  or  the 
hind  toe  free,  with  the  anterior  continuously  webbed. 

Anseres.  —  Bill  with  transverse  lamellae  along  the  edges ;  hind 
toe  free. 


lund  here  in  the  fall,  at 
lis  no  doubt  that  it  breeds 


480 


OBNITIIOLOr.Y    AND   OOLOdY. 


SUB-OTIDRR  ANSERKS. 


Family  ANATIDiE. 


•^   r: 


,  ,..1 


!3 


"1  »^n 


-:3! 


The  two  jaws  with  trnnsvcrfo  lamcllip,  altomatiiif,'  ami  fittinp;  In  oach  othrr, 
upper  mamliblc  cniliiif;  in  an  obtuse  rounded  niiil;  a  fjroove  runninj;  along  hotli 
jaws  to  the  nail;  the  feathers  of  the  forehead  extend  forward  on  tlio  culmen  in  a 
rounded  or  acute  (iiitliiio;  those  on  the  side  of  lower  jaw  and  on  the  ihin  extend 
(brward  in  a  siiiiilm  manner;  coniini-ure  st'night;  legs  short. 


Sub-Family   Cygnin.k.  —  The  Swans. 
CYONUS,  LisN.«rs. 

CygnuB,  LisN.Efs,  Syst.  Nat.  (1835).    (Type  Anm  olnr,  Gm.)  Gray. 

Neck  very  long;  bill  longer  than  the  liead  (commissure  longer  than  the  tarsus), 
the  basal  portion  covered  by  a  soft  skin  extending  to  the  anterior  half  of  the 
eye;  the  |>lane  of  the  upper  outline  from  eye  to  eye  horizontal;  the  lateral  outline 
extending  nearly  straight  to  the  commi?'>urc,  or  even  sometimes  widening  slightly; 
not  half  the  width  of  the  bill  at  tip;  nostrils  situated  in  the  inidille  portion  of 
the  bill;  lower  portion  of  tibia  bare;  the  tarsus  much  shorter  than  tlie  toot,  much 
compressed,  covered  with  hexagonal  scales,  which  become  smaller  on  the  sides  ami 
behind;  hind  toe  small,  much  elevated;  the  lobe  narrow;  tail  of  twenty  or  more 
feathers,  rounded  or  wcdge-.shaped ;  sexes  similarly  colored. 


CYONUS  AMERICANHS.  —Sharplem. 

The  American  Swan. 

CUffnua  Americnnvs,  Sharplesa.    Doughty's  Cob.  N.  11.,  I.  (1830)  185.    Aud.  Om. 
Blog.,  V.  (1839)  133.     Jh.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  226. 
Cygnut  fervs,  Nutfall.    Jlan.,  II.  (1834)  368. 

Description. 

Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  broad,  high  at  the  base;  the  feathers  ending  on  the  fore- 
head in  a  semicircular  outline;  nostrils  far  forward,  the  anterior  extremity  consider- 
ably more  forward  than  half  the  commissure;  tail  of  twenty  feathers. 

Adult  pure-white;  bill  and  legs  black;  the  former  with  an  (  mge  or  yellowish 
spot  in  front  of  the  eye ;  less  mature  specimens  with  the  head  above  tinged  with 
reddish-brown ;  iris  brown. 

Length,  fifty-five  inches;  wing,  twenty-two;  tarsus,  four  and  twenty-five  one- 
bundredths;  bill,  above,  fouv  and  twenty  one-hundredfhs  inches. 

flab — Continent  of  North  .America. 


THK    AMEIUCAN    SWAN. 


4n| 


11.,  I.  (1830)  185.    Aud.  Om. 


The  Common  Ainoricaii  Swmi  h  o.|iially  ahiiiid.iiii  ,,,1  liuil,  ,i,|e,  „f  ||„.  .■..miiunt, 
i.«  will  a«  ihr-iiiKliout  tho  interior:  lli.'  younj;  liirU  in  l.rown  inst-mJ  ..f  wliltr;  ||i«' 
«aiilt  si'lddiii,  il  ever,  i-  without  ihu  ycUow  ur  urm^v  Kpace  ul  Uiu  ha-i'  ul'  the  bill, 
vsliit'h  id  ulhvrwJHo  bluok. 

rpiIlS  hciuitiCiil  bird  is  so  oxtremoly  rare  in  Now  Knuhiml 
X.    that  it  cannot  pruiMTly  bo  cunsiderod  as  btdongin^'  to 
oiir  I'auiia.     Within  a  Ibw  years,  pijrliajis  throu  or  I'unr  Hpeci- 
nicn.s     havu     buoii 
talvoii  in  the  waters  4" 

oi'Lal<o  Chaniplain ; 

and  I  believe  a  small  f 

Hock  is  recorded  to 
iiavo  been  seen  in 
Lake  Mcmphroina- 
giig.  Those  are 
llio  only  iiistanc(!s 
known  to  nio  of  its 
occurrenco  in  these 
States.  It  retires  to  the  most  northern  countries  to  pass 
the  season  of  reproduction.  It  nests  on  tho  ground,  on 
tlio  islands  and  plains  in  tho  Hudson's  Hay  country.  Thx 
Mcst  is  constructed  of  a  snudl  cullecliou  of  weeds  and 
dried  grasses,  loosely  adjusted  by  tho  female.  Tlie  eggs 
are  from  six  to  eight  or  tea  in  number.  They  are  broadly 
ovoidal  in  shape,  and  of  a  pale  olivaceous-green  in  color. 
Tiiey  vary  in  dimensions  from  4.05  by  3  inches  to  8.1)8  liy 
2.85  inch. 


ic  feafhcrs  ending  on  the  fore- 
anterior  extremity  consiJer- 

wenty  feathers. 

with  an  .  inge  or  yellowish 
the  head  above  tinged  with 

four  and  twenty-five  one- 
hs  inches. 


Sub-Family  Anserin^e. —  The  Geese. 

ANSKR,  l.iNN.KUs. 

Bill  as  lonpj  as  the  head,  mostly  red  or  orange-colored;  tlio  lamcllic  of  upper 
iiiaihllble  pnijeet  below  the  edge  as  conical  points;  nostrils  opening  behind  thi' 
middle  of  the  commissure,  the  anterior  edge  only  reachiQi;  to  this  point;  tip  of  bind 
toe  teaching  to  the  ground. 

81 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


<^4i. 


1.0 


I.I 


110 


Ml 


2.8 


1^ 
■^  1^    1 2.2 


I  1^    12.0 


1.8 


1.25      u    III  1.6 

< 

6" 

► 

# 


^JV# 


7 


Photographic 

Sciences 

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482 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


■-1 


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ARSES  HYPEBBOBEDS.— />aZ{n«. 

The  Snow  Goose. 

Anter  hyperboreus,  Pallas.     Spio.  Zoo).,   VI.  (1767)  25.     Nutt.  Man.,  XL  844. 
\ud.  Orn.  Hiog.,  IV.  (1838)  562.     Jb.,  HiiiU  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  212. 
Anas  hjperborea.    Gm.,  I.  504.     Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (1814)  76. 

Deschiitioji. 

Adult. —  Kill  and  legs  red;  color  pure-white;  primary  quills  black  towards  tlie 
end.  silvery-bluish  uniy  towards  tliebase,  where  the  shafts  are  white;  the  siiurioiis 
quills  are  also  bluish ;  in.sidu  of  wings,  except  primary  quills,  white ;  immature  birds 
have  the  head  washed  with  rusty. 

Yvuny.  —  Head  and  upi)ur  part  of  neck  white;  lower  part  of  neck  to  the  wicgs 
dark-brown,  passing  on  the  sides  of  body  into  a  more  ashy  shade;  rest  of  under 
parts,  concealed  portions  of  the  back,  rump,  and  upper  coverts,  white;  the  entire 
scapular  and  scapular  region  is  ashy-brown,  each  feather  with  faint  reddish-brown 
margin ;  the  upper  surface  of  the  wing  is  of  a  clear  silvery-a.sh,  but  passing  iuto  dark- 
brown  on  the  ends  of  the  quills;  the  coverts,  secondaries,  tertials,  and  scapulars, 
edged  with  white;  iris  light-brown. 

Length,  about  thirty  inches;  wing,  sixteen  and  forty  one-hi'ndredths;  tarsus, 
three  and  twelve  one-hundrudths;  commissure,  two  and  ten  onc-buadredths  inches. 

This  is  another  rare  species  on  our  New-England  sea 
coast.  As  a  general  thing,  it  is  only  seen  during  the  winter ; 
but  we  have,  in  the  Massachusetts  State  Cabinet,  a  fine  speci- 
men that  was  taken  in  Boston  Harbor,  in  July,  1863.  It  is 
strictly  a  northern  species,  and  hardly  belongs  to  our  fauna. 

Dr.  Richardson,  in  describing  its  breeding  habits,  says, 
"  It  breeds  in  the  barren  grounds  of  Arctic  America,  in 
great  numbers.  The  eggs,  of  a  yellowish-white  color  and 
regularly  ovate  form,  are  a  little  larger  than  those  of  the 
Eider  Duck;  their  length  being  three  inches,  and  their 
grentest  breadth  two.  The  young  fly  in  August ;  and,  by 
the  middle  of  September,  all  have  departed  to  the  south- 
ward. The  Snow  Goose  feeds  on  rushes,  insects,  and  in 
autumn  on  berries,  particularly  those  of  the  Empetrvm 
nigrum.^' 

BERNICLA,  Stefhens. 

Bernida,  Stei'HEHB,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XII.  (1824)  45.  (Type  Anat  btr- 
mcla,  L.) 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head  or  shorter;  the  commissure  nearly  straiglit;  the  tectb 
of  upper  mandible  concealed,  except  perhaps  at  the  base ;  bill  and  legs  black. 


m 


THE  CANADA   GOOSE. 


483 


(1824)  45.     (Type   Am$  hir- 

iissure  nearly  straight;  the  teolh 
(base;  bill  and  legs  black. 


The  American  geese,  with  black  bill  and  legs,  exhibit  very  great  varjatiorj  In 
?ize;  so  much  so,  indeed,  as  to  render  it  very  dillicult  to  distinguish  them  by  this 
.■haracter  alone :  the  variation  in  tlie  shade  of  plumage  in  tl  same  species  is  liko- 
wisu  considerable. 

BEBNICLA  CANADENSIS.  -  Buit. 
The  Canada  Goose. 


Anai  Canadensis,  Linnosus. 
(1814)  62. 

Amer   Canadensis,  Nuttall.     Man.,  II.  84b< 
V.  607.     Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  178. 

Beitiicla  Canadensis,  Boie.    Isis  (1826)  921. 


Syat.  Nat.,  I.  (1706)  198.     Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VIII. 
Aud.  Cm.  Biog.,  III.  (Ib35)  li 


Deschiption. 

Tail  of  eighteen  feathers;  head,  neck,  bill,  and  feet,  deep-blucK;  a  large  trian- 
gular (jatch  of  white  on  the  cheeks  behind  the  eye;  the  two  of  opposite  sides 
broadly  confluent  beneath,  but  not  extending  to  the  rami  of  lower  jaw;  a  few 
whitish  feathers  on  lower  eyelid;  upper  parts  brown,  edged  with  paler;  under 
parts  light,  with  a  tinge  of  purple-gray,  sometimes  a  shade  of  smoky-brown;  the 
edges  of  the  feathers  paler;  the  color  of  the  body  of  the  feathers,  though  similar, 
becoming  deeper  on  the  sides,  tibia,  axillars,  and  inside  of  wings;  the  gr/iy  of  the 
belly  passes  gradually  into  white  on  the  anal  region  and  under  coverts:  i'u>  upiier 
tail  coverts  are  pure-white ;  the  primary  quills  and  rump  are  very  dark  blackish- 
brown;  the  tail  feathers  are  black;  iris  chestnut-brown. 

Length,  thirty-five  inches;  wing,  eighteen;  tarsus,  three  and  ten  one-hundredths; 
eummissure,  two  and  ten  one-hundredths  inches. 

This  well-knowix  bird  passes  through  or  over  New  Eng- 
land in  the  spring  and  autumn  migrations,  appearing  in  tlie 
former  about  the  first  week  in  April,  and  passing  in  flocks 
until  the  10th  of  that  month.  In  the  autumn,  it  returns  as 
early  as  the  last  week  in  September ;  and  from  then  until 
tlie  first  of  December,  and  even  later,  it  passes  in  flocks  in 
its  southern  migrations.  The  Wild  Goose,  as  the  rule, 
breeds  in  the  most  northern  portions  of  the  continent :  it 
sometimes  passes  the  season  of  incubation  in  the  limits  of 
the  United  States ;  but  the  occurrences  are  very  few  of  its 
having  been  found  to  remain  in  New  England.  I  under- 
stand that  it  has  bred  on  Martha's  Vineyard,  south  of 
Massachusetts,  several  times ;  and  I  have  been  told  of  other 
instances,  but  do  not  consider  them  to  be  well  authenti- 
cated. The  nest  is  located  in  some  retired  place  not  far 
iVoin  the  water,  generally  among  the  thickest  grass,  and  not 


484 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOUY, 


,,,.1 

-^3 


"'.-I 


uiifrequently  under  a  bush.  It  is  carelessly  formed  of  dry 
plants  of  various  kinds,  and  is  of  a  large  size,  flat,  and 
raised  to  the  height  of  several  inches.    The  eggs  are  usually 


-^^v^S^^^^ 


about  six  in  number :  they  average  three  and  a  half  inches 
by  two  and  a  half,  are  thickTshelled,  rather  smooth,  and  of 
a  very  dull  yellowish-green  color.  The  period  of  incuba- 
tion is  twenty-eight  days.     "Wilson  says  of  this  bird :  — 

"  Their  first  arrival  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey  is  early  in  Octo- 
ber; and  their  first  numerous  appearance  is  the  sure  prognostic 
of  severe  weather.  Those  which  continue  all  winter  frequent  the 
sliallow  bays  and  marsh  islands :  their  principal  food  being  the  broad, 
tender,  green  leaves  of  a  marine  plant  which  grows  on  stones  and 
shells,  and  is  usually  called  sea-cabbage  ;  and  also  the  roots  of  the 
sedge,  wliich  they  are  frequently  observed  in  the  act  of  tearing  up. 
Every  few  days,  they  make  an  excursion  to  the  inlets  en  the  beach 
for  gravel.  They  cross,  indiscriminately,  over  land  or  water,  gen 
erally  taking  the  nearest  course  to  their  object ;  differing,  in  this 
respect,  from  the  Brant,  which  will  often  go  a  great  way  round  by 
water,  rather  than  cross  over  the  land.  They  swim  well ;  and,  if 
wing-broken,  dive,  and  go  a  long  way  under  water,  caus  ng  the 


THE   BUANT. 


48.J 


sportsman  a  great  deal  of  fatigue  before  lie  can  kill  thoni.  Kxrrpt 
in  very  calm  weather,  they  rarely  sleep  on  the  watfr,  but  roost  all 
night  in  the  marshes.  When  the  shallow  bays  are  frozen,  they 
seek  the  mouths  of  inlets  near  the  sea.  occasionally  visiting  the 
air-holes  in  the  ice ;  but  these  bays  are  seldom  so  completely  frozen 
as  to  prevent  them  from  feeding  on  the  bars. 

"  The  flight  of  the  Wild  Geese  is  heavy  and  laborious,  generally 
in  a  straight  line,  or  in  two  lines,  approximating  to  a  point  tinis,  >  ; 
in  both  cases,  the  van  is  led  by  an  old  gander,  who,  every  now  and 
then,  pipes  his  well-known  honk,  as  if  to  ask  how  they  come  on ; 
and  the  honk  of  '  All's  well  *  is  generally  returned  by  some  of  the 
party.  Their  course  is  in  a  straight  line,  with  the  exception  of 
the  undulations  of  their  flight.  When  bewildered  in  foggy  weather, 
they  appear  sometimes  to  be  in  great  distress,  flying  about  in  an 
irregular  manner,  and  for  a  considerable  time  over  the  same  quar- 
ter, making  a  great  clamor.  On  these  occasions,  should  they 
approach  the  earth,  and  alight,  —  which^  they  sometimes  do,  to  rest 
aiid  recollect  themselves, -^  the  only  hospitality  they  meet  with  is 
death  and  destruction  from  a  whole  neighborhood  already  in  arms 
for  their  vuin." 

BEBNICLA  BSENTA.  —  Stephens. 
The  Brant. 

Anas  bemicln,  I.innitus.  Syst.  Nnt.,  I.  (1760)  198.  Wilg.  Am.  Orn.,  Vllt. 
(1814)  131. 

Anser  JermWn,  N.ittall.  Man.,  II.  359.  And.  Orn.  Biop.,  V.  (1831)  24,  Oio. 
lb.,  Uirds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  203. 

Bernicla  brenta,  Stephens.    Shaw's  Zool,  XII.  (1824)  46. 

Descriptio.n. 

Bill  and  feet,  head,  neck,  ^"A  body  anterior  to  the  wings,  primary  quills,  and 
tail,  black ;  the  secondary  quills  nearly  black ;  on  each  side  of  the  middle  of  the 
neck  is  a  small  white  crescent,  streaked  with  black;  the  lower  eyelids  with  a  very 
faint  trace  of  white  feathers;  the  black  of  the  jugidum  is  abruptly  defined  aj^ninst 
the  bluish  silvery-gray  of  the  remaining  under  parts,  the  feathers  of  which  have  the 
b.isal  portions  bluish-gray:  the  axillars  and  insidcs  of  the  wings  showing  a  darker 
tint  of  the  same;  the  gray  of  the  belly  passes  gradually  into  white  behind,  the  tail 
being  encircled  all  round  and  concealed  by  this  color;  the  back  and  wing  coverts 
are  grayish-blue,  with  slightly  paler  edges;  the  rump  is  of  a  similar,  but  darker  and 
more  uniform  blue ;  the  secondaries  have  some  concealed  whitish  nn  the  inner  webi 
towards  the  base;  iris  dark-hazel. 

Length,  twenty-three  and  fifty  one-hundrcdths  inches;  wing,  twelve  and  seventy- 
five  onc-hundredths;  tarsus,  two  and  twenty-six  one  hundredths ;  commissure,  ooe 
tnd  forty  one-hundredths  inches. 


486 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND    OOLOOY. 


The  Braut  is  found  on  our  coast  pretty  abundantly  at 
the  same  seasons  as  the  Canada  Goose^  which  it  resem- 
bles very  much  in  its  general  habits. 

Having  had  but  few  opportunities  of  observing  this 
species  in  its  wild  state,  I  give  the  description,  by  Wilson,  ol" 
its  general  habits  :  "  The  Brant  is  expected  at  Egg  Harbor, 
on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  about  the  first  of  October, 
and  has  been  sometimes  seen  as  early  as  the  20th  of  Sep- 
tember. The  first  flocks  generally  remain  in  the  bay  a  few 
days,  and  then  pass  on  to  the  South.  On  recommencing 
their  journey,  they  collect  in  one  large  body,  and,  making 
an  extensive  spiral  course,  some  miles  in  diameter,  rise  to  a 
great  height  in  the  air,  and  then  steer  for  the  sea,  over 
which  they  uniformly  travel,  often  making  wide  circuits  to 
avoid  passing  over  a  projecting  point  of  land.  In  those 
aerial  routes,  they  have  •  been  met  with,  many  leagues  from 
shore,  travelling  the  whole  night.  Their  line  of  march  very 
mxich  resembles  that  of  the  Canada  Goose,  with  this  excep- 
tion, that  frequently  three  or  four  are  crowded  together  in 
the  front,  as  if  striving  for  precedency.  Flocks  continue  to 
arrive  from  the  North ;  and  many  remain  in  the  bay  till 
December,  or  until  the  weather  becomes  very  severe,  when 
these  also  move  off  southwardly.  During  their  stay,  they 
feed  on  the  bars  at  low  water,  seldom  or  never  in  the 
marshes ;  their  principal  food  being  a  remarkably  long  and 
broad-leaved  marine  plant,  of  a  bright-green  color,  which 
adheres  to  stones,  and  is  called  by  the  country  people,  sea- 
cabbage:  the  leaves  of  this  are  sometimes  eight  or  ten 
inches  broad,  by  two  or  three  feet  in  length.  They  also  eat 
smoil  shell-fish.  They  never  dive,  but  wade  about,  feeding 
at  low  water.  During  the  time  of  high  water,  they  float  in 
the  bay  in  long  lines,  particularly  in  calm  weather!  Their 
voice  is  hoarse  and  honking,  and,  when  some  hundrods  are 
screaming  together,  reminds  one  of  a  pack  of  hounds  in 
full  cry.  They  often  quarrel  among  themselves,  and  with 
the  Ducks,   driving  the  latter   off"   their   feeding-ground. 


THE   MALLARD. 


487 


Though  it  never  dives  in  search  of  food,  yet,  when  wiiij-. 
broken,  the  Brunt  will  go  one  Imndred  yards  at  a  stretch 
under  water,  and  is  considered,  in  sueli  circumstances,  one 
of  the  most  difficult  birds  to  kill.  About  the  loth  or  20th 
of  May,  they  re-appear  on  their  way  north,  but  seldom  stop 
long,  unless  driven  in  by  tempestuous  weather." 

This  bird  nests  in  the  most  northern  poitions  of  the  con- 
tinent. The  nest  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Canada  Goose. 
The  eggs  arc  from  five  to  eight  in  number :  they  are  ovate 
in  form,  sometimes  nearly  oval ;  and  of  a  yellowish-whito 
color,  sometimes  darkened  into  a  creaniy-ltulT.  Their  di- 
mensions vary  from  2.90  by  1.92  to  2.78  by  1.84  inch. 
They  are  very  smooth  to  the  touch,  and  the  shell  is  thin 
and  brittle. 


Sub-Family  Anatin^. —  The  River  Ducks. 

The  Analince,  or  River  Ducks,  are  easily  known  by  their  having  the  tarsi  trans- 
versely scutcliate  anteriorly,  and  the  membrane  or  lobe  of  tiie  'lind  toe  narrow  and 
much  restricted.  The  legs  are  longej-  than  in  FuliguHna,  but  sliorter  than  in  tlie 
pccsc. 

All  the  North-American  River  Ducks  agKe  in  having  the  crissum  l)lack.  In  all, 
excepting  Querquedula,  there  is  a  tendency  to  waved  lines  on  tlie  feathers  of  th« 
flanks,  most  conspicuous  in  the  Mallard,  Gadwall,  and  Green-winged  Teal. 


ANAS,  LiNNiKus. 

Ams,  Lixs.EUS,  Syst.  Nat.  (1735).  (Type  Anas  bosclini,  L.,  Gray.) 
Bill  longer  than  the  head  or  the  foot,  broad,  depressed;  the  edges  parallel  to  neai 
the  end,  which  is  somewhat  acute;  nail  less  thun  one-third  the  width  of  the  bill; 
nostrils  reaching  to  end  of  the  basal  two-fifths  of  the  commissure;  feathers  of  fore- 
head, chin,  and  cheeks,  reaching  about  the  same  point;  upper  angle  of  bill  about  in 
line  with  the  lower;  tail  pointed,  about  two-flfths  the  wing. 


ANAS  BOSCHAS.  — Z.inn(nw. 

The  Kallard;  Green-head. 

Anas  boschas,  Linnceus.    Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1766^  205.    Wils.   Am.   Orn.,  VIII 
.1814)  112.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IIL  (1835)  164.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  aSft 


488 


OP.NITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


■]  r 


"^  ^ 


s 


r)F.SniIPTIO!«. 

AfnIe.  —  UeaA  nnd  neck  bright  j{rii:>R-groon,  with  violet  gloss,  the  top  of  the  head 
duller;  a  white  rin;;  rMiinil  the  middle  of  the  neck,  below  which  and  on  the 
rorepnrt  and  sides  of  llio  broust  the  color  is  dark  brownish-chestnut;  under  parts 
and  sides,  with  the  scnpiilnrs,  pnle-gray,  very  linely  undulntcd  with  dusky;  the 
outer  scapulars  with  a  brownish  ti'ige;  forepart  of  buck  roddish-brown;  posterior 
more  olivaceous;  crissum  nnd  upper  tiiil  coverts  black,  the  latter  with  a  blue  ploss: 
tail  extornully  whitj;  wing  coverts  brownish-gray,  the  greater  covcrtn  tipped  first 
with  white,  and  then  more  narrowly  with  black ;  speculum  purplish-violet,  ternii- 
Dated  with  black;  a  recurved  tuft  of  feathers  on  the  rump;   iris  dark -brown. 

Fennle.  —  With  the  wing  exactly  as  on  the  male;  the  under  part*  plain  whitish- 
OcIirt!y,  each  feather  obscurely  blotched  with  dusky;  head  and  neck  Birailar,  spotted 
and  streaked  with  dusky;  the  chin  and  throat  above  unspotted;  upper  parts  dark- 
brown,  the  leathers  broadly  edged  and  banded  with  reddish-brown,  parallel  with  the 
circumference. 

Length  of  male,  twenty-three  inches;  wing,  eleven ;  tarsus,  one  and  seventy  one- 
hundredths;  commissure  of  bill,  two  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches. 

The  Mallard  is  found  in  New  England  only  as  a  wan- 
derer, and  then  only  in  the  western  sections  in  the  spring 
and  autnmn  seasons ;  a  few  are  seen  in  the  waters  of  Lake 

Chainplain,  and  oc- 
».    ^  J3-  ^^  casionally    a    small 

flock  is  found  in  the 
Connecticut  River. 
This  is  the  original 
of  the  Common  Do- 
mestic Mallard ;  and 
its  habits  are  so  well 
known  that  I  will 
give  no  description 
here. 
This  bird  breeds  in  all  sections  of  the  United  States, 
more  abxindantly,  of  course,  in  the  northern  than  in  the 
southern ;  and  less  often  in  the  eastern  than  in  the  inte- 
rior and  western.  In  most  of  the  Western  States,  it  is 
one  of  the  most  abundant  of  water-fowls ;  and  it  breeds  in 
,ill  the  meadows  and  by  the  ponds  and  streams  throughout 
those  sections.  The  nest  is  built  in  a  tussock  of  high  grass, 
or  in  a  thick  clump  of  weeds.  It  is  composed  of  pieces  of 
j?rass  and  weeds,  and  is  lined  to  the  depth  of  half  an  inch 


OOT. 


iolet  gloss,  the  top  of  the  heail 
k,  below  which  and  on  the 
jwnisli-chestnut;  under  part.^ 
-  iin(liilnte<l  with  duoky;  the 
lUck  ruddisli-brown;  posterior 
;,  the  latter  with  a  blue  rIoss: 
ho  greater  covertn  tippeil  first 
cculum  purplish-violet,  termi- 
s  rump;  iris  dark-brown. 
1  the  under  parts  plain  whitish- 
head  and  ncuk  similar,  spotted 
unspotted;  upper  parts  dnrk- 
•eddish-brown,  pavullel  with  the 

n ;  tarsus,  one  and  seventy  one- 
indredths  inches. 

gland  only  as  a  wan- 
sections  in  the  spring 
in  tlie  waters  of  Lake 
Chain  plain,  and  oc- 
casionally   a    small 
flock  is  found  in  the 
Connecticut    River. 
This  is  the  original 
of  the  Common  Do- 
mestic Mallard ;  and 
its  habits  are  so  well 
known    that  I   will 
give   no  description 
here, 
of  the  United  States, 
northern  than  in  the 
istern  than  in  the  inte- 
Wcstern  States,  it  is 
■fowls ;  and  it  breeds  in 
..nd  streams  throughout 
a  tussock  of  high  grass, 
s  composed  of  pieces  of 
depth  of  half  an  inch 


THE    DUSKY   DUCK. 


489 


with  down  and  other  soft  material.  The  ocr^s  are  from  ton 
to  fourteen  in  number :  tliey  arc  usually  ovoidal  in  .shape, 
and  vary  in  color  from  dirty  yellowish-whito  to  an  ohsciuo 
olivaceous-green.  Tlieir  dimensions  vary  from  2. 12  l>y  l.To 
(Albion,  Wis.)  to  2.26  by  1.68  (Nova  Scotia). 

ANAS  OBSCUSA.  -  GmeUn. 
The  Dusky  Duck ;  Black  Duck. 

Anal  obscfirn,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  541.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VIII.  (1814» 
141.    Aud.  Om.  Itiog.,  IV.  (1838)  15.     Ik,  llirds  Am.,  VI.  (KM3)  244. 
Anas  {boschas)  obscura,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  302. 

DEsciiimos. 

Bill  greenish;  feet  red;  body  generally  blackish-brown ;  the  feathers  ot)«un'ly 
margined  with  reddish-brown;  those  anteriorly  with  a  concealiHl  V-slmpcd  mark, 
more  or  less  visible  on  the  sides  of  the  breast;  head  and  neck  browiiisli-yeliow, 
spotted  with  black ;  the  top  of  head  and  nape  diirk-brown,  with  a  green  gloss  on  the 
sides  behind;  wings  dnll-bluckish,  with  a  dull-greonish  glo.sa;  speculum  violet,  ter- 
minated with  black;  inner  tcrtials  hoarj'  gray  towards  tip;  axillars  and  inside  of 
wing  white;  tail  of  eighteen  feathers;  iris  dark-brown. 

Female  similar,  but  rather  duller;  the  light  edges  to  the  under  feathers  more  con- 
spicuous; the  sides  of  head  without  the  greenish-gloss;  the  speculum  bluish,  with 
less  violet. 

Length  of  male,  twenty-two  inches;  wing  nearly  twelve;  tarsus,  one  and  eighty 
nne-hundredths;  commissure,  two  and  fifty-six  one-hundredths  inches. 

Hah. — Atlantic  region  of  North  America;  not  yet  detected  on  the  Pacific,  nor 
in  Europe. 

This  is  the  most  plainly  marked,  as  well  as  perhaps  the  largest,  of  our  river 
ducks,  and  excelled  by  none  in  the  excellence  of  its  flesh. 

This  species,  generally  but  improperly  known  as  the 
Black  Duck,  is  the  most  abundant  of  all  our  fresh-water 
ducks.  It  breeds  in  all  the  New-England  States,  but  is 
found  in  the  greatest  abundance  in  the  more  northern  por- 
tions of  them.  The  country  around  Lake  Umbagog,  Mo., 
seems  to  be  a  favorite  breeding-ground  with  this  species; 
almost  every  patch  of  meadow  having  one  or  inore  of  its 
nests. 

The  nest  is  built  about  the  last  week  in  April  or  the  first 
in  May.  It  is  placed  in  a  secluded  locality  in  a  tussock  of 
grass,  or  beneath  a  thicket  of  briers  or  weeds ;  usually  in  a 


490 


nilMTIIOLOOY    ^ND   OOLOGY. 


,-1 


^^ 


3 


•■If: 


5 


mcnflow,  near  a  pond  or  strnain,  Imt  sometimos  in  a  swamp 
in  wliicli  a  Huiall  brooit  is  tlio  only  water  for  niilos  aronnd, 
Tliis  Hpccics  sometimes  follows  tlioso  small  brooks  up  to 
their  sources ;  and  1  once  found  one  with  a  nest  on  a  low 
stump  that  overhung  a  small  spring  ou  the  side  of  a  hill,  u 
mile  from  any  other  water.  The  nest  of  this  species  is  con- 
structed of  pieces  of  grass  and  weeds,  which  aro  neatly 
arranged  into  a  structure  eighteen  inches  in  diameter  on 
the  outside,  and  three  or  four  in  depth.  This  is  hollowed 
fbr  perhaps  an  inch  and  a  half  or  two  inches,  and  lined 
with  the  down  and  feathers  from  the  breast  of  the  parent- 
l)ird.  Tiie  oggs  arc  from  seven  to  ton  in  number:  their 
form  is  usually  ovoidal ;  and  their  color  varies  from  an 
olivaceous-yellow  to  a  dirty  yellowish-white.  If  a  dozen  of 
these,  and  an  equal  numl)or  of  the  eggs  of  the  Mallard, 
are  placed  side  by  side,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  identify 
them,  so  closely  do  they  resemble  each  other.  The  eggs 
of  the  present  species. vary  from  2.50  by  1.72  inch  (Lake 
Umbagog)  to  2.26  by  1.65  (Weston,  Mass.).  They  aver- 
age about  2.34  by  1.74  (Nova  Scotia).  Early  in  Septem- 
ber, the  Dusky  Duck  gathers  in  flocks  of  fifteen  or 
twenty.  It  is  now  so  difficult  of  approach,  that  the  experi- 
enced guiuier  seldom  attempts  to  secure  it  by  stalking  it. 
The  method  by  which  the  greater  number  are  killed  is  as 
follows :  The  sportsman,  knowing  the  localities  most  fre- 
quented by  these  flocks,  —  generally  meadows  in  which 
streams  of  water  or  small  ponds  are  abundant,  —  builds  a 
bower  near  the  water,  about  six  feet  square,  and  five  or  six 
high,  of  the  limbs  of  pines  and  other  danse  foliaged  trees, 
in  which  ho  secretes  himself  at  daybreak,  armed  with  one  or 
two  heavy  double-barrelled  guns,  and  provided  with  three 
or  four  tamo  ducks.  One  of  these  ducks  he  anchors  or 
moors  out  in  the  water,  half  a  gunshot  from  the  bower. 
The  duck,  soon  becoming  lonesome,  begins  to  call,  when,  if 
there  are  any  wild  ducks  in  the  neighborhood,  they  answer 
the  call  in  an  almost  exactly  similar  note,  and  soon  fly  to 


DAFILA. 


491 


moot  tlio  callor.  Tli(>  sportsinaii,  watfliiii^'  tlic  Il|l|l^<)in•llill^ 
lluck,  holds  one  of  tliu  otln-r  tamo  diu-ks  ready  (o  ilndw; 
and,  as  soon  na  tlio  wilil  ones  approac-li  near  (.'nnu;,di  to  .m-o 
I  he  others,  ho  throws  towards  tlio  anehored  duck  tho  ono 
held  in  Ins  hand,  wliieli  is  secured  from  liyinir  olT,  hy  » 
strong  lino  fastenel  to  its  legs.  The  hird  moored  in  tlio 
water,  seeing  her  mate  Hying  towards  Irm-,  inunt'diatidy 
redoubles  her  cries,  when  the  Dusky  Dueks,  after  Hying  l>aek 
and  forth,  alight  bcsido  her.  As  soon  as  they  aligiit,  they 
gather  together  iu  u  flock  away  from  the  decoy;  and  it  ia 
then  that  tho  sportsman  jjours  iv  his  lirst  shot:  he  fires 
when  tho  birds  aro  rising  from  tlic  water,  and  is  often 
enabled  to  got  four  shots  at  tho  flock  before  it  gets  out  of 
gunshot.  Tho  excitement  attending  this  shooting  is  better 
appreciated  when  kuowu.  I  have  passed  many  days  in 
bowors  of  this  description,  and  have  liad  my  share  of  tho 
excitement.  It  is  only  early  in  the  morning  and  late  iu 
the  afternoon  that  those  birds  can  be  shot  in  this  manner; 
and,  if  they  aro  much  hunted,  they  will  hardly  approacii  ono 
of  these  bowors  without  great  caution.  This  duck  remains 
with  us  through  nearly  the  whole  year,  and  moves  south- 
ward only  in  very  severe  winters.  When  the  fresh  ponds 
are  not  frozen,  it  prefers  them  to  tho  salt  water ;  but  iu 
winter  it  is  most  abundant  in  our  bays  and  small  creeks, 
where  it  feeds  on  small  shell-fish  and  other  marine  animals. 
In  autumn  it  is  one  of  the  best  flavored  of  our  water- 
fowl, but  in  winter  is  not  so  good,  having  much  of  the 
fishy  taste  of  tho  sea-ducks. 


DAFILA,  LEAcn. 


Dafh,  "Lbach,"  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XH.  (1824)  226.  {Tyj^  Anai 
aeutn.) 

Bill  long,  narrow;  considerably  longer  than  the  foot;  nearly  linear,  but  widen- 
ing a  little  to  the  end,  which  is  truncate,  rounded;  nnil  small;  nostrils  small,  in  the 
basal  third  of  bill;  tail  pointed;  tbo  two  middle  feathers  lengtt  cncd,  so  as  nearly  tg 
equal  tbe  wings. 


49; 


OBNITHOLOOT    AND   OOLUOT. 


ui 

— .  .1 

5 


DAFILA    ACUTA  -Jmynt. 

Tbe  Pintail ;  SpriKtatt. 

Atuu  acvM,  I.innirtm.    Sy«t.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  202.     Wild.  Am.  Om.,  V/II.  (1814) 
And.  Om.  Ui.«.,  III.  {imr,)2\i\  V.  916.     /!>.,  lliriU  Am  ,  VI.  (INS)  2<1-J. 
Dnjiln  ncvl'i,  llminpartr.     I.ist  (XKiH). 
Anal  {buifli<i$)  iK-uta,  Nuttnll.     Man.,  IT.  ( 1834)  n86. 

DKRrRIITIlIN, 

Tail  of  nixtcen  fi'Othcrs;  ))ill  hlnilc  abovo  and  laterally  nt  lli«  base;  tlio  nidpi 
and  bentndi  blue;  head  and  iippir  part  of  neck  uniform  diirk-brown,  ({losjiud  with 
ffTi'vn  ami  purple  bi'liiiid;  iiiliM-ior  part  of  iii'tk,  bri'ast,  and  uiidrr  parti  while;  lli« 
white  of  nock  paii-x's  up  to  the  nape,  gcpiinitini^  the  brown,  and  it.-elf  Is  diviilcd 
d(irr<nlly  by  lilauk,  which,  below,  pawes  into  the  gray  of  the  baek ;  llie  back  anteriorly 
an<l  the  cidcn  are  finely  liiii'd  transversely  with  black  and  white;  the  winps  are  |)laiii 
and  bluli«h-j;ray;  Ihi;  greater  coverta  with  a  terminal  bar  of  pur]di»li-hun°,  liidow 
which  is  o  greeniflh-purplu  speculum,  mar^nncd  beliind  by  lilnck,  and  tipped  with 
white;  longest  tcrtials  striped  with  silvery  and  greenish-black;  scapiil-irn  black, 
edged  with  silvery;  crissum  and  elongated  tail  feathers  black;  the  former  edged 
with  white. 

Female  with  otdy  a  trace  of  the  markings  of  the  wing;  the  grceu  of  thospecn- 
lum  brownish,  with  a  few  green  spots;  the  feathers  of  the  back  are  brown,  with  a 
broad  U  or  V-shaped  brownish-yellow  bar  on  each  feather  anteriorly;  sometimes 
those  bars  appear  in  the  shape  of  broad  transvei-se  line. 

Length,  thirty  inches;  wing,  eleven;  tail,  eight  and  sixty  one-hundredths;  tarsus, 
one  and  seventy-tive  one-hundredtlis;  commissure,  two  and  thirty-six  one  hun- 
dredths inclics. 

Hub.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  and  Europe. 

This  beautiful  bii-d  is  pretty  coramon  on  our  sliorcs ;  and 
it  is  mnch  pursued,  both  for  the  beauty  of  its  plumage 
and  for  the  excellence  of  its  flesh.  It  breeds  in  the  most 
northern  portions  of  the  continent,  where,  Nuttall  says,  "  it 
lays  eight  or  nine  eggs  of  a  greenish-blue  color."  It  is  seen 
in  most  abundance  in  tlie  autumn  on  our  coast,  where  it 
appears  by  the  10th  of  September,  and  remains  until  the 
last  week  in  October.  Wilson  says  it  is  a  shy  and  cau- 
tious bird,  feeds  in  the  mud  flats,  and  shallow  fresh-water 
marshes ;  but  rarely  resides  on  the  seacoast.  It  seldom 
dives,  is  very  noisy,  and  has  a  kind  of  chattering  note. 
When  wounded,  they  will  sometimes  dive,  and,  coming  up, 
conceal  themselves  under  the  bow  of  the  boat,  moving  round 
ns  it  moves ;  are  vigilant  in  giving  the  alarm  on  the  approach 


M 

* 

1 

OOT. 


THE   (illKKN-WlNUEO   TICAL. 


4:': 


WiU.  Am.Om,Vm.{m«) 
Am  ,  VI.  (1843)  2M. 


fl. 


tcrally  nt  ihn  l)H'«i  H'"  "''''"• 
■orm  (liirk-t>r(>Mm,  kIiissccI  with 
St,  anil  uii'lir  iKirt.<  whit.^i  tlm 
ho  brown,  ami  itself  in  ilivid.d 
jf  Iho  back !  ll'c  bnik  unlerlorly 
nnil  white;  the  wiiiK«  nre  iilaiii 
niil  hnr  of  piinilish-bu(V,  hi'h.w 
hind  by  hhtek,  and  tipiifil  willi 
•ocnish-blnck ;  scnpuWrH  bhick. 
itliers  black-,  the  tbriniT  oiIkhI 

wImr;  the  RTec"  of  tho>pccn- 

of  the  buck  arc  brown,  with  a 

li  feather  anteriorly;  sometimes 

le  linc». 

nd  sixty  one-lnindrcdtha ;  tarsus, 

B,  two  and  thirty-six  one  hun- 


011  on  our  shores ;  and 
beauty  of  its  plumage 
It  breeds  in  the  most 
s-here,  Nuttall  says,  "  it 
■blue  color."    It  is  seen 
on  our  coast,  where  it 
and  remains  until  the 
s  it  is  a  shy  and  cau- 
ind  shallow  fresh-water 
seacoast.     It  seldom 
nd   of  chattering  note. 
3  dive,  and,  coming  up, 
the  boat,  moving  roiuid 
le  alarm  on  the  approach 


Df  ihn  guiiiKT,  who  often  cvirm's  thi'  watclifiilncss  nf  the 
Sprigtiiil.  Some  Ducks,  whi-ii  iiiou.sod,  di.speiso  in  dineruiit 
direetioiiM;  but  the  Spri^^tuils,  when  iilanned,  cluster  colt- 
I'lisedly  t<)j:(!th»'r  aH  they  nuiunt,  and  thereby  alVoiti  tbt;  sportn- 
iiian  a  fair  opportunity  uf  rakin^^  ihtMii  with  adv!intai::t;.  They 
^onerally  leave  tlie  Delawan;  aliout  the  miildlt!  nl' March,  on 
llie  way  to  their  nutivo  regions,  the  North,  whore  they  uio 
most  numerous. 

NKTTION',  Kai  p. 

A't(/iMi,  Kaui-,  Kntwick  (1820).    Gruy.    (Type  Amu  cnecn,  I..) 

Dill  unuhually  narrow,  lunger  tliua  tbu  foot;  the  iiiUe.-<  parallel;  ihu  upjier  lateral 

an^lo  nut  extending;  buck  mt  I'ar  an  the  luwer  eil^'c;  nuil  very  narrow,  linear,  and 

about  uue-Ulth  as  widu  aa  tlio  bill. 

NETTION    CABOLINENSIS.-/y.iii'ii. 
Tbo  Oreen-winged  Teal. 

Anat  CaralintniU,  Ginelin.  Syst.  Nut.,  I.  (1788)  !jn3.  Aud.  iiirds  Am.,  VI. 
(U43)  281. 

Aim  crecca,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (1S14)  101.  Aud.  Orn.  Uiog.,  III.  (Ib63) 
2iy;  V.  610. 

.4h(>ji  {kischat)  atcca,  Swainson.  F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (11^31)  400.  Nutt.  Man.,  11. 
(1834)400. 

Dksckutio.v. 

Head  and  neck  all  round  chestnut;  chin  black;  forehead  dusky;  rcjjioa  round 
the  eye,  continued  along  the  side  of  the  head  an  a  bmad  stripe,  rich-green,  pa«sinf; 
iuto  a  bluish-blnek  patch  acros.s  the  nape;  tinder  pnrls  white,  the  feathers  nf  the 
jugtilum  with  rounded  black  spot.s;  lower  portion  of  neck  all  round,  sides  of  breast 
and  body,  long  feathers  of  flanks  and  seapulars,  beautifully  and  finely  banded 
do.iely  with  black  and  grayish-white;  outer  webs  of  Miuie  scapulars,  and  of  outer 
secondaries  black,  the  latter  tipped  with  white;  speculum  broad  and  rich-green; 
wing  coverts  plain  j;rayish-brown,  the  greater  coverts  tipped  with  bulF;  a  white 
crescent  in  front  of  the  bend  of  the  wing;  crissum  black,  with  a  triangular  patch 
of  bulVy-white  on  each  side;  lower  portion  of  the  green  stripe  on  each  side  of  the 
head  blacki,«h,  with  a  dull  edge  of  whitish  below;   iris  brown. 

Males  vary  in  having  the  under  parts  sometimes  strongly  tinged  with  ferrugi- 
nous-brown. 

Female  with  the  wings  as  in  the  male;  the  under  parts  white,  with  hidden  spot! 
on  the  jugulum  and  lower  neck;  above  dark-brown,  the  feathers  edged  with  gray. 

Length,  fourteen  inches;  wing,  seven  and  tbrty  one-Iumdredtlis;  tarsus,  one  and 
fourteen  onc-hundredths;  commissure,  one  and  sixty-eight  one-hundredlhs  inches. 

Uab.  —  Whole  of  North  America;  accidental  in  Europe. 

This  beautiful  little  fowl  is  quite  abundant  in  the  spring 
ai      intumn  migrations  iu  New  England ;  arriving  in  tho 


494 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


former  about  tlio  lOth  of  May,  and  in  the  latter  about 
the  second  week  in  September,  and  remaining  xmtil  tlie 
middle  of  October.  Jt  frequents  fresh-water  ponds  and 
streams  in  small  flocks,  where  it  feeds  on  various  water 
insects,  their  larvae,  tlie  seeds  of  aquatic  plants,  and  the 
tadpoles  of  the  dilTerciit  frogs.  Its  flesh  is  well  flavored, 
and,  with  the  next  species,  is  one  of  the  most  popular  in  all 
our  markets.  I  have  often  seen  individuals  of  this  species 
associate  with  the  ducks  in  a  farmer's  yard  or  duck-pond, 
and  have  known  them  to  come  to  the  barn-yard  with  the 
tamv-  fowls,  and  eat  with  them  the  corn  thrown  out  for  their 
food.  Til  the  water,  it  is  a  graceful  bird,  moving  about 
with  great  activity.  Its  flight  is  rapid ;  and  accompanied 
with  a  whistling  murmur  different  from  that  of  most  of  our 
other  ducks. 

Tills  bird  probably  breeds  in  the  secluded  lake  districts 
of  the  northern  portions  of  New  England,  as  it  is  found  in 
considerable  abundance  in  localities  in  Nova  Scotia  and 
Canada  in  the  same  latitude.  It  nests  early  in  June,  some- 
times by  the  20tli  of  May. 

The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  in  a  thick  patch  or 
tussock  of  grass,  usually  in  meadows  within  a  few  feet  of  a 
small  pond  or  stream.  It  is  constructed  of,  first,  a  thick 
layer  of  soft  pieces  of  grass  tnd  weeds,  on  which  is  placed  a 
thin  covering  of  the  down  and  feathers  '  om  the  breast  of 
the  bird.  The  eggs  are  from  five  to  eight  in  number:  they 
are  usually  ovoidal  in  form,  sometimes  nearly  oval,  and  vary 
in  dimensions  from  1.90  by  1.32  inch  (Nova  Scotia)  to  1.73 
by  1.22  inch.  Their  color  is  a  dirty-white,  with  a  slight 
greenish  tint. 

QUERQUEDULA,  Stephens. 

Qtierrpiedula,  Stephens,  Slin.v's  Gen.  Zool.,  XII.  (1824).  (Type  Anat  qutrqiie- 
iMi,  L.) 

Dill  narrow,  lengthened,  a  little  longer  than  the  foot,  widening  a  little  to  the 
en.i,  which  is  olnusely  rounded;  the  tail  occupying  about  one-third  the  width, 
the  l.imclliB  visible  in  the  lateral  profile;  the  upper  lateral  angle  at  the  base  of 
bill  extending  rather  further  I),.ck  than  the  lower  edge. 


,OGY. 


THE   BLUE-WINGED   TEAL. 


49;-) 


in   the  latter  about 
remaining  xmtil   the 
;sh-\vater   ponds   and 
3ds  on  various  water 
latic  plants,  and  the 
flesh  is  well  flavored, 
he  xnost  popular  in  all 
iduals  of  this  species 
s  yard  or  duck-pond, 
he  barn-yard  with  the 
■n  thrown  out  for  their 
il  bird,  moving  about 
lid;  and  accompanied 
)m  that  of  most  of  our 

secluded  lake  districts 
;land,  as  it  is  found  in 
3  in  Nova  Scotia  and 
ts  early  in  June,  some- 

d,  in  a  thick  patch  or 
3  within  a  few  feet  of  a 
■ucted  of,  first,  a  thick 
Is,  on  which  is  placed  a 
crs  '  om  the  breast  of 
eight  in  number:  thoy 
IS  nearly  oval,  and  vary 
(Nova  Scotia)  to  1.70 
ty-whitc,  with  a  slight 

'HENS. 

I.  (1824).    (Type  Anas  querifte- 

le  foot,  widening  a  littlo  to  the 
ing  about  one-third  the  widtli 
)er  lateral  angle  at  the  base  »i 
edge. 


QDEEQDEDULA  DISCOES.  —  Slephtm. 
The  Blue-winged  Teal. 

Anat  ducors,  Wilson.  Am.  Oin.,  VIII.  (1814)  74.  Aud.  Orn.  Blog.,  IV.  (183«; 
Ml.     ;i.,  Birds  ^^m.,VL  (1843)  287. 

Querqueduld  iliscnrs,  Stephens.     Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XIF.  (1824)  14!!. 

Anas  (Buschasj  iliscura,  Swainson.  F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (li^31)  44t.  Nutt.  Man.,  11. 
(1834)  397. 

DKSCItllTlDN. 

Mdle.  —  Head  and  neck  above  plumbeous-gray ;  top  of  head  blaek ;  u  while  cres- 
cent in  front  of  the  eye;  under  parts  fruni  middle  of  the  neck  purplish-gray, 
each  feather  with  spots  of  black,  which  become  nuire  obsolete  beliind;  forepart  of 
back  with  the  feathers  brown,  with  two  undulating  narrow  bands  of  purpli.-h-gray; 
leathers  on  the  flanks  banded  with  dark-brown  and  pur(,lish-gray;  back  ln.hiii(l  and 
tail  greenish-brown;  crissum  black;  wing  coverts  and  some  of  the  outer  webs  of 
.scapulars  blue;  other  scapulars  velvet -black  or  green,  streaked  with  pale  reddish- 
hutf;  speculum  glossy-green;  the  outer  greater  wing  coverts  white,  as  are  the  axil- 
lars,  the  middle  of  under  surface  of  the  wing,  aud  .i  patch  on  each  side  of  the  bfi.sc 
of  the  tail;  bill  black;  feet  flesh-colored;   iris  dark-hazel. 

Female.  —  With  the  top  of  liead  brown,  and  the  wing  coverts  blue  and  white,  as 
in  the  male;  base  of  bill,  except  above,  chin,  and  upper  part  of  the  liiroat,  dirty 
ycUowish-whito;  back  brown,  the  feathers  margined  witli  paler;  under  parts  whit- 
isli,  with  rounded  obscure  brown  spots;  the  jugiiluni  darker. 

Length  of  male,  sixteen  inches;  wing,  .seven  and  ten  onc-lnmdredths;  tarsus, 
one  and  twenty  one-hundredths;  commissure,  one  and  eighty-live  one-hundredths 
inches. 

Hab.  —  Eastern  North  America  to  Rocky  Mountains.  Xot  yet  found  on  the 
I'aciflc  coast  nor  in  Europe. 

This  species  is  more  often  found  in  small  crocks  near  the 
seashore  than  the  Green-winged  Teal ;  but  it  prefers  the 
small  fresh-water  ponds  and  streams  to  the  salt  water,  and 
is  most  abundant  in  mill-ponds,  where  the  water  varies  in 
depth  in  different  days  ;  there  it  searches  in  the  little  nooks 
and  pools,  among  the  half-submerged  rocks  aud  bushes,  for 
its  favorite  food  of  aquatic  insects  and  the  seeds  of  aquatic 
pltints.  It  arrives  from  the  South  in  spring,  by  the  latter 
part  of  April,  .sometimes  earlier,  and  remains  lingering  in 
its  favorite  haunts  until  the  first  week  in  May.  It  proceeds 
slowly  to  the  North,  where  it  breeds  ;  and  it  then  returns 
through  New  England,  by  the  middle  of  September,  to  the 
Southern  States,  where  it  passes  the  winter.  It  sometinuis 
breeds  in  New  England.     George  A.  Boardman,  Esq.,  has 


496 


ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


^9 


s 


found  it  with  young  at  Milltown,  Me. ;  and  Giiaud,  in  his 
"Birds  of  Long  Island,"  says  that  it  breeds  in  that  locality. 
The  greater  number,  however,  pass  to  the  more  northern 
countries,  v.iiere  they  begin  to  lay  early  in  June.  The 
nests  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Green-winged  Teal,  and 
arc  placed  in  similar  localities.  The  eggs  are  from  six  to 
ten  in  number.  They  vary  in  form  from  ovate  to  ovoidal, 
and  are  sometimes  nearly  oval  in  shape:  they  are  of  a  dirty 
yellowish-white  color,  paler  than  that  of  the  eggs  of  the 
Green-winged  Teal.  They  vary  in  dimensions  from  1.95 
by  1.35  inch  (Wisconsin)  to  1.74  by  1.30  inch  (Labrador). 
The  surface  of  both  these  eggs,  and  those  of  the  preceding 
species,  is  covered  with  stains  of  a  darl<jr  tint  than  the 
primary  color ;  probably  caused  by  the  feet  of  the  bird,  or 
by  the  decaying  vegetation  which  forms  the  nests  of  both 
species. 

SPATULA,  BoiE. 

Spniula,  BoiE,  Isis  (182"!,  564.    (Type  Anas  dypeata,  L.) 

Bill  much  longer  than  tho  head  and  spatulate,  widening  to  the  end,  wliere  it  l.i 
twice  as  broad  as  at  the  base;  nail  long  and  narrow;  lamella:  of  the  upper  mandible 
verj"  close,  delicate,  and  lengthened,  projecting  far  below  the  lower  edge;  tail  acute, 
Ic^s  than  half  tlie  wing. 

SPATULA  CLYPEATA Boie. 


The  Shoveller;   Spoonbill. 

Aims  clypeuta,  Linna;us.     Syst.  Nat,  L  (1766)  200.    Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (1814). 
Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  241.    lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  293. 
Spatula  dypeata,  Boie.     Isis  (1822),  564. 
Anas  (Spathulea)  dypeata,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  375. 

Desckiition. 

Head  and  neck  green;  forepart  and  sides  of  the  breast,  with  greater  portion  of 
Bc.ipulars,  and  the  sides  of  the  base  of  the  tail,  white;  rest  of  under  parts  dull  pur- 
plish-chestnut; crissum,  rump,  and  upper  tail  coverts  black,  the  latter  glos.ied  with 
green;  wing  coverts  blue,  the  posterior  row  brown  in  the  concealed  portion,  and 
tipped  with  white;  longest  tcv  ils  blue,  streaked  intenially  with  white;  others  vel- 
vet-green, streaked  centrally  v  .ili  white;  Kpeculuni  grass-green,  edged  very  nar- 
rowly behind  with  black,  and  then  witli  white. 

Female  with  the  win;;  similar,  but  with  the  blue  of  coverts  and  scapulars  less 


)GY. 


THE  GADWALL. 


4'.>7 


;  and  Giiaud,  iu  his 
■ecds  iu  tliat  locality. 
)  the  more  nortlicra 
jarly  in  June.  The 
■en-winged  Teal,  ami 

C"-"-s  are  from  six  to 
rom  ovate  to  ovoidal, 
,e :  they  are  of  a  dirty 
,t  of  the  eggs  of  the 
limensions  from  1.^*0 
1.30  inch  (Labrador), 
liose  of  the  preceding 

darl  r  tint  than  the 
he  feet  of  the  bird,  or 
rms  the  nests  of  both 


>eata,  L.) 

wideninR  to  the  end,  where  it  Is 
;  lamellaj  of  the  upper  mandible 
,elow  the  lower  edge;  tail  acute, 


.  Bok. 

bill. 

I    Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (1814)- 

ri.  (1843)  293. 

|834)  375. 

ibreast.with  greater  portion  of 
|e;  rest  of  under  pitrts  dull  piir- 
Its  black,  the  latter  glowed  witl. 
1  in  the  concealed  portion,  and 
Iteniallv  with  white;  others  vel- 
[u  gras"s-green,  edged  very  nar- 

Le  of  coverts  and  scapulars  less 


liatinct;   head  and  nock  browniih-yollnw,  ppdttod  with  du.sky;  the  belly  with  • 
lii'cided  chestnut  tinge;   iris  reddish-orange. 

Length,  twenty  inches;  wing,  nine  and  fifty  onc-hiuulrcdths;   tarsus,  one  anl 
thirty-eight  onc-hundrcdths  ;  commissure,  throe  and  two  one-hundredths  inches. 

The  Shoveller  i.s  a  rare  species  on  the  coast  of  New  Eng- 
land; but  two  or  three  arc  taken  in  a  season,  and  it  is 
rarely  that  one  is  found  here  in  the  mature  plumage.  It 
is  as  often  found  in  fre.sh-water  ponds  and  streams  as  in  the 
creeks  and  bays  near  the  shore.  It  breeds  in  the  most 
northern  portions  of  the  eastern  coast ;  but,  according  to 
Mr.  Audubon,  it  passes  the  season  of  incubation  "from 
Texas  westward  to  the  Columbia  River,  thence  to  the  fur 
countries."  Says  Nuttall,  "  Soon  after  March,  according 
to  Baillou,  they  disperse  through  the  fens  in  France  to 
breed,  and  select  the  same  places  witli  tlie  Summer  Teal ; 
choosing  with  them  large  tufts  of  rushes,  making  a  nest  of 
withered  grass  in  the  most  boggy  and  difficult  places 
of  access,  near  waters.  The  eggs  are  twelve  to  fourteen, 
of  a  very  pale  greenish-yellow :  the  female  sits  twenty- 
four  or  twenty-five  days." 

The  Spoonbill  feeds,  like  the  other  fresh-water  ducks,  on 
various  aquatic  insects  and  tadpoles ;  but,  luilike  the  Teals, 
eats  but  few  seeds  of  aquatic  plants.  A  specimen  that  I 
examined,  killed  iu  Plymouth  County,  Mass.,  had  its  stom- 
ach filled  with  small  pieces  of  some  aquatic  roots,  and  one 
or  two  tadpoles :  there  were  also  fragments  of  small  crusta- 
ceans, but  so  small  that  it  was  impossible  to  identify  them. 

OHAULELASMUS,  Ghav. 

Chaulelatmut,  (jr.  R.  Grat  (1838).     (Type  Anns  strepera,  L.) 
Bill  as  long  as  the  head;  the  lower  edge  about  as  long  as  the  outer  toe,  and 
longer  than  the  tarsus;  the  lamella:  distinctly  visible  below  the  edge  of  the  bill. 

CHAULELASMUS  STOZVEKUS.  -  Gray. 
The  Oadwall;  Gray  Duck. 
^110*  ttrepera,  Linnicns,  Wilson,  and  others. 

a2 


•"^.^i 


498 


OIIMTIIOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


.:r2 
peg 


s 


I)r,.s(i!ii'ric)x. 

Afdle.  —  Ilcnd  nnd  noik  brownish-white,  ciich  feather  ppntted  with  duskj*;  th« 
top  of  lieaj  tinged  with  reddish;  lower  part  of  neck,  with  forepart  of  breact  and 
hack,  blackish,  witii  concentric  narrow  bars  of  white,  giving  a  scaled  appearance  to 
the  feathers;  interscapular  region,  outermost  scapulars,  and  sides  of  the  body,  finely 
waved  transversely  with  black  and  white;  middle  wing  coverts  chestnut,  the 
greater  velvet-black,  succeeded  by  a  pure-white  spccidum,  bordered  externally  by 
h nary  gray,  succeeded  by  black;  crissuni  and  upper  tail  coverts  black;  longest  tcr- 
tials  hoiiry  plumbeous-gray;  innermost  scapulars  with  a  reddish  tinge;  inside  of 
wing  and  axillars  pure-white;  bill  black;   iris  hazel. 

Fem<i!e.  —  With  the  bill  dusky,  edged  with  reddish;  wing  somewhat  like  that  of 
the  male,  but  with  the  chestnut-red  more  restricted. 

Length,  twenty-two  inches;  wing,  ton  and  fifty  one-hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and 
si.xty-foiii-  one-hundredths;  commissure,  two  and  four  one-hundredths  inches. 

TIic  Gadwall  is  a  rare  autumnal  visitor  in  New  England, 
and  is  seldom  seen  in  the  spring  as  it  is  passing  to  its 
northern  breeding-places.  Audubon,  in  describing  its  habits, 
says, — 

"  This  species  dives  well  on  occasion,  especially  on  beino; 
wounded.  At  the  appearance  of  danger,  it  rises  on  wing 
—  whether  from  the  groxmd  or  from  the  water  —  at  a  single 
spring,  in  the  manner  of  the  Mallard ;  and,  like  it  also, 
ascends  almost  perpendicularly  for  several  yards,  after 
which  it  moves  off  in  a  direct  course  with  great  celerity.  I 
have  never  seen  it  dive  on  the  flash  of  the  gun  ;  but,  when 
approached,  it  alwr^'s  swims  to  the  opposite  part  of  tlie 
pond,  and,  when  the  danger  increases,  flies  off.  On  being 
wounded,  it  sometimes,  by  diving,  makes  its  escape  among 
the  grass,  where  it  squats,  and  remains  concealed.  It  walks 
with  ease,  and  prettily,  often  making  incursions  upon  the 
land,  when  the  ponds  are  not  surrounded  by  trees,  for 
the  piirpose  of  searching  for  food.  It  nibbles  the  tender 
shoots  and  blades  of  gra.sses  with  apparent  pleasure ;  and 
will  feed  on  beech-nuts,  acorns,  and  seeds  of  all  kinds  of 
gramineiB,  as  well  as  on  tadpoles,  small  fishes,  and  leeches. 
After  rain,  it  alights  in  cornfields,  like  the  Mallard,  and 
picks  up  the  scattered  grains  of  maize." 

Tlie  eggs  of  this  species  are  from,  eight  to  twelve  in  num- 
ber.   Their  color  is  a  pale-drab,  with  a  slight  olivaceous  t^'nt: 


LOGY. 


THK    AMKRICAN    WinOKON. 


4;»r, 


atlicr  Fpnttpil  with  dusky,  the 
k,  with  forepart  of  brcnrt  and 
,  (iiving  a  scaled  appearance  to 
rs,  and  sides  of  the  body,  finely 
le  wins  coverts  chestnut,  the 
cculum,  bordered  externally  by 
•  tail  coverts  black;  longest  ter- 
vith  a  reddish  tinge;  inside  of 

el. 

ish ;  wing  somewhat  like  that  of 

one-hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and 
,ur  one-hundredths  inches. 

■isitor  in  New  England, 

as  it  is  passing  to  its 

,  in  describing  its  habits, 

sion,  especially  on  behi'j; 
langcr,  it  rises  on  wing 
ithewater  — atasinglo 

lard ;    and,  like  it  also, 
jv    several    yards,  after 
le  with  great  celerity.    I 
of  the  gim  ;  but,  when 
lie  opposite  part  of  the 
,scs,  flies  off.     On  bemg 
iakes  its  escape  among 
iins  concealed.    It  walks 
ng  incursions  upon  the 
rrounded  by  trees,  for 
It  nibbles  the  tender 
apparent  pleasure ;  and 
id  seeds  of  all  kinds  of 
mall  fishes,  and  leeches. 
.  like  the  Mallard,  and 

ize." 

.  eight  to  twelve  in  num- 

(h  a  slight  olivaceous  t'nt: 


their  form  is  a  long  ovoid;   and  their  dimensions  average 
about  2.15  inch  in  length  by  l.-'iO  inch  in  breadth. 


MAKECA,  Stephens. 

^fnl•ec(t,  Stki-hens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XII.  (1S24)  130.  (Tvpe  Anns  Ptnt^ 
O-pe,  L.) 

IVll  shorter  than  the  head,  and  equal  to  the  inner  toe  claw;  tlie  sides  parallel  \u 
near  the  end,  which  is  rather  obtusely  pointed,  the  nail  occupying  tlie  tip,  and  about 
one-third  as  broad  as  the  bill;  bill  rather  high;  the  upper  lateral  aiijjle  at  the  base 
not  prominent,  nor  extending  as  far  buck  as  the  lower  edge;  tail  pointeil.  \w\.  half 
the  wings. 

The  North-American  and  European  species  of  Marecn  have  the  upper  parts 
finely  waved  transversely  with  black  and  gray  or  reddish-brown;  the  under  parts, 
with  the  usual  exceptions,  snowj'-white.  The  top  of  the  head  is  uniform  white  or 
cream-color;  the  neck  more  or  less  spotted;  the  middle  and  greater  coverts  are 
white,  the  latter  tipped  with  black,  the  speculum  is  green,  encircled  by  black;  the 
tertials  are  black  en  the  outer  web,  edged  with  hoarj'-white ;  tlie  entire  outer  web  of 
one  of  them  hoary. 

MARECA  AMEBICANA.  — Sfe/)Aen«. 
The  American  Widgeon;  Ualdpate. 

Anas  Americana,  Gmelin.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1788)  526.    Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VIII. 
;i8U)  86.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  337.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  269. 
Mareca  Americana,  Stephens.    Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XII.  (1824)  135. 
Anas(Botchas)  Americana,  Nuttall.     Man.,  II.  (1834)  389. 

Description. 

Male.  —  Tail  of  fourteen  feathers;  bill  blue,  the  extreme  base  and  tip  black, 
he.id  and  neck  pale-buflf,  or  faint  reddish-yellow,  each  leather  banded  narrowly  with 
bliickish,  so  as  to  give  the  appearance  of  spots;  the  top  of  the  head  from  the  bill  is 
pale  unspotted  creamy- white ;  the  sides  of  the  head  from  around  the  eye  to  the  nape, 
glossy-green,  the  feathers,  however,  with  hidde>i  spot."!,  as  described;  chin  uniform 
dusky;  forepart  of  breast  and  .sides  of  body  light-bro^vnish  or  chocolate-red,  eadi 
feather  with  obsolete  grayish  edge;  rest  of  under  parts  pure-white:  the  cri.ssum 
abruptly  black ;  the  back,  scapulars,  and  rump,  finely  waved  transversely  anteriorly 
witli  reddish  and  gray,  posteriorly  with  purer  gray,  on  a  brown  ground;  a  little  of 
'.he  same  waving  also  on  the  sides;  the  lesser  wing  coverts  are  plain  gray:  tlie  mid- 
dle and  greater  are  conspicuously  white,  the  latter  terminated  by  black,  succeeded 
by  a  speculum,  wbk'li  is  grass-green  at  the  base,  and  then  velvet-black;  the  tertials 
ire  black  on  the  outer  web,  bordered  narrowly  by  black,  the  outennost  one  hoary- 
^'ray,  externally  edged  with  black;  tlie  tail  is  hoarj'-browii ;  the  upper  coverts  are 
black  externally;  the  axillars  are  white;  iris  hazel. 

The  blackish  chin  appears  to  be  found  only  in  very  highly  pluinaged  birds.  The 
top  of  the  head  is  sometimes  pure-white. 

The  female  has  the  head  and  r.eck  somewhat  similar,  but  spotted  to  the  bill; 
wings  as  in  the  male;  the  black  of  tertials  replaced  by  brown;  the  gray  of  the  lessor 
coverts  extending  slightly  over  the  middle  ones ;  back  and  scapulars  with  ratnci 


500 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGV. 


ci; 


^  3 


^=1 
s 


broad  and  distant  trnnsverse  bars  of  rcddish-whitc,  oacb  feather  witb  two  or  fbrcc  in- 
terrupted nlnn^  the  :  liafts;  these  are  much  wider  and  tiioie  di-taiit  tlian  in  tlio  niali'. 

Length,  twenty-ono  and  peventy-five  one-liundredtlis  inches;  win}?,  eleven;  tar- 
BUfi,  one  and  forty-two  ono-liundreiltlis;  comnli^^^llre,  one  and  ei^jhtj*  one-liundrcdlli> 
inches. 

//(lb.  —  Continent  of  North  America.    Accidentol  in  Kurope. 

This  beaut i fill  l)ird  is  found  in  small  flocks  of  four  or  five 
individuals  in  the  spring  and  fall  niigralions,  and  is  morj 
often  found  in  the  frosh-water  ponds  and  streams  in  the 
interior  than  in  the  salt  wat(M"  on  the  coast. 

It  I  vccds  in  the  Hu  .^on's  Bay  Country,  early  in  June. 
The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  as  I  am  informed,  in  the 
marshes  and  sterile  plains  of  that  country,  and  resembles 
very  much  the  nest  of  the  common  Black  or  Dusky  Duck. 
The  eggs  are  from  eight  to  twelve  in  number.  They 
resemble  those  of  the  Blue-winged  Teal  iu  form  and  color, 
being  a  dirty  yellowish-white.  They  average  in  dimensions 
about  2.05  by  1.50  inch. 

The  food  of  this  bird  consists  principally  of  the  tender 
leaves  and  roots  of  aquatic  plants,  which  it  obtains,  when  in 
company  with  the  Canvas-back,  by  stealing  from  that  bird ; 
the  latter  diving,  and  bringing  it  up  from  the  bottom  of  the 
water,  and  the  Widgeon  seizing  it  when  he  appears  at 
the  surface. 

AIX,  BoiK. 

Aix,  BoiE,  Isia  (1828),  329.    (Type  Anas  galerictdata,  L.) 

Bill  very  high  at  the  base,  where  the  upper  lateral  angle  runs  bnck  much  behind 
the  lower  edge  of  the  bill ;  nostrils  very  large,  and  scarcely  enveloped  by  mem- 
oranc;  the  feathers  of  the  forehead  reaching  to  their  posterior  edge;  nail  very  large, 
and  much  hooked,  occupying  the  entire  tip  of  bill;  lamellce  depressed,  broad,  and 
distant;  bill,  from  feathers  of  forehead,  shorter  than  the  head,  and  equal  to  the  tai- 
sus;  head  crested;  claws  short,  much  curved,  and  very  sharp;  tail,  about  half  the 
wings,  vaulted,  tuneate,  but  truncate  at  the  tip;  the  coverts  nearly  as  long  aa 
the  feathers. 

AIX  SPONSA.  —  Bote. 

The  Summer  Duck ;  Wood  Duck. 

Anas  tponsa,  Linnteus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  207.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VIII.  (1?U' 
97.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  52;  V.  618.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  271. 
Aix  sponm^TSoK.    Isis  (1828),  329. 
Ami  (Boichas)  sponsa,  NutUtI      Man.,  II.  (1834)  394. 


LOOV. 


■li  fcnthor  with  two  or  tlircc  in- 

more  ili-^tnnt  thnn  in  tlic  mali'. 

lllis  iiicln's;  wing,  eleven;  tiir- 

one  and  ciglity  one-liunilredtlis 

in  Kurope. 

1  flocks  of  four  or  five 
^rations,  and  is  morj 
s  and  streams  in  the 
10  coast. 

ountry,  early  in  June. 
I  am  informed,  in  tlie 
jountry,  and  resembles 
Black  or  Dusky  Duck, 
e  in  number.  They 
cal  in  form  and  color, 
average  in  dimcnsiou.s 

incipally  of  the  tender 
Inch  it  obtains,  when  in 
tealing  from  that  bird ; 
from  the  bottom  of  the 
i  when  he  appears  at 


evhta,  L.) 

ral  angle  runs  bnck  much  behind 
ind  scarcely  enveloped  by  mem- 
ir  posterior  edge ;  nail  very  large, 
1 ;  lamellie  depressed,  broad,  and 
1  the  head,  and  equal  to  the  tai- 
very  sharp;  tail,  about  half  the 
;  the  coverts  nearly  as  long  aa 

ne. 

d  Duck. 

7.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,VIir.(18U' 
Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1S43)  271. 

i)  394. 


i;ii 


*^. 


8 


THE   SUMMER   DUCK. 


501 


Drsciuition. 

Head  unil  crost  niotallic-tjrdMi  t"  luluw  tl yci;  tin-  dinks,  nnd  i\  stripe  fYmu 

beliiniTtlie  fvu,  purplish;  u  imrmw  ^inirt  liii<^  imm  tliu  uppir  uii^'li;  cpI'  iIh'  ImH  alonj; 
the  cldi;  of  till-  cTdwii  and  tliriiiij,'li  tlic  i  icst,  aiidtlier  on  tliu  iippiT  ovcliil,  a  .-tripe 
startinj;  below  and  lieliind  the  vyv,  and  runnin;;  into  tin-  criMt  parallu  with  ilie  one 
first  mentioned,  tliu  thin  and  upper  part  of  tlie  throat  scndinf,'  a  well-delined  branch 
up  towards  till!  eye,  and  aimther  towards  llie  nape,  snowy-wliile;  lower  lutk  and 
juKUluin,  and  sides  of  the  base  of  tail,  rieli-purple;  the  jUKubini  willi  triauKni.'ir 
spots  of  white  and  a  eliesfiiut  shade;  reinaiv  x  under  parts  while,  as  is  a  ere-ei  nt 
in  front  of  the  wing  liordered  behind  by  ;,..,ck;  »ides  yellciu  i^h-gray,  linely  liueil 
withblaek;  the  lon^  feathers  of  the  Hanks  broadly  black  at  the  end,  with  a  sul>- 
terniinal  bar,  anil  sometimes  a  tip  of  white;  back  and  neck  above  nearly  uniibrin 
bronzed-Ki'een  and  purple;  scapulars  anil  iimcrinost  tertials  velvet-black.  ^do».-ed  on 
the  inner  webs  with  violet;  the  latter  with  a  white  bar  at  the  end;  Ki'ealer  eijvirts 
violet,  succeeded  by  a  greenish  speculinn,  tipped  with  while;  primaries  silvery-while 
exterimlly  towards  the  end;  the  tips  internally  violet  aiid  purple;  iris  briglil-red. 

Female  with  the  wings  (piite  similar;  the  back  more  purplish;  the  sides  of  th« 
head  and  neck  ashy;  the  regiiui  round  the  base  of  the  bill,  a  patch  through  the  eyes, 
and  the  ch.'n,  white;  the  purple  of  the  juguluin  replaced  by  brownish;  the  waved 
feathers  on  the  sides  wanting. 

Length,  nineteen  inches;  wing,  nine  and  tilly  one-h;nidivdlhs;  tarsus,  one  and 
forty  onc-hundi'edths:  eonnnissure,  one  and  lifty-lbur  one-hundreiiths  inches. 

llah. —  Continent  of  North  America. 


The  AVood  Duck  is  a  sunuuer  resident  in  all  the  North- 
ern States,  and  there  are  few  country  ])eoj)le  who  aro  not 
acquainted  Avith  it  either  1)}'  the  name  of  Wood  Duck  or 
Summer  Duck.  It  breeds  in  hollow  stubs  of  trees  in  tlie 
vicinity  of  streams,  ponds,  or  lake.-<,  and  the  yoiini:;  birds  are 
carried  to  tlie  water  in  the  bill  of  the  parent  bird.  1  have 
seen  this  done  on  several  occasions,  and  guides  and  hunters 
assure  me  it  is  a  common  habit. 

As  the  Duck  ilewo\er  my  head  the  young  bird  seemed  to 
be  hanging  by  the  neck  from  the  parent's  beak. 

I  have  visited  several  nests,  and  tliey  were  all  composed 
of  down  and  feathers  evidently  ])ulled  from  the  breasts  of 
the  birds.  One  nest  was  in  the  top  of  a  stub  over  sixty 
feet  high. 

The  family,  old  and  young,  when  swinnning  among  the 
green  aquatic  plants  in  the  water  make  a  charming  pic- 
ture. The  little  downy  things  dart  about  in  pursuit  of 
water  insects  and  tiies  with  astonishing  quickness,  and  their 


6oa 


OHNIllOLOrSY  AND  OOLOCY 


Hi 

*-.    cat 


5 


ovory  iMovuinout  in  watched  with  Holicitudo  by  the  anxiouH 
and  dovott'fl  j>aroiitrt.  ^ 

Nuvur  tihall  I  lorj^ut  the;  iiicideiitH  of  oiio  of  my  iii;;;ht  ox- 
(Mii'sioiis  oil  Mutalicr  I'oiid,  a  shtiut  tjf  water  a  mile;  or  so  in 
Iciii^ftli,  situatfd  ill  tliu  Maine  woods  alxdit  tlireu  miles  from 
tlu!  Itaiij,'(;luy  Laivus.  On  tliis  occasion  I  saw  at  least  a 
do/('M  families  of  tlio  Summer  DncU,  toij;t'tlior  with  the 
Uhu'k  Duck,  and  others  that  hreed  in  that  retired  locality. 
At  ahoiit  ten  o'clock  we  lif^hted  the  ".lack "' lantern,  and 
fixinj;-  it  to  a  staff  in  the  how  of  the  skiff  we  embarked,  I 
seated  in  the  bow  just  behind  the  lantern  and  my  guide  in 
the  stern. 

iS'o  toiiji;iie  can  describe,  no  pen  can  i)icture  the  wildnops, 
the  weird  beauty  of  the  sci'iies  that  followed.  The  skii't 
moved  noiselessly,  keepinjj;  about  three  rods  from  the;  shore; 
not  a  sound  was  made  by  the  paddle,  not  a  ripple  announced 
our  presence  ;  we  floated  as  silently  iind  as  smoothly  as  does 
the  fallin<^  feather  drop  through  the  air. 

The  stroiiLC  light  of  the  lantern,  aided  and  increased  by 
the  powerful  roHector  behind  it,  was  thrown  upon  the  foli- 
age of  the  bushes  and  trees  upon  the  shore.  The  ])ath  of 
light  thus  thrown  was  oidy  about  ten  feet  in  width,  and  on 
either  side  of  it,  as  well  as  around  and  behhid  us,  all  was  of 
the  densest  darkness. 

The  foliage  thus  illuminated  seemed  to  be  of  silvery  wliite- 
ness,  and  every  leaf,  every  twig,  stood  out  as  distinctly  and 
[)eautifully  as  if  painted  in  white  upon  a  black  background. 

The  scene  was  the  most  weird  and  fairy-like  1  ever  wit- 
nessed. 

Onward  we  floated,  nothing  whatever  indicating  that  we 
were  in  motion  save  the  progress  of  the  belt  of  light  upon 
the  foliage. 

Sometimes  an  inquisitive  nuiskrat  would  swim  alongside 
ns,  keeping  just  within  the  belt  of  light.  Occasionally  would 
we  hear  the  slap  of  a  beaver's  tail  upon  the  water,  and  often 
would  we  pass  among  a  flock  of  wild  Ducks  that  were  swim- 


itudo  by  the  aiixioiw 

•  „iio  «)£  my  nij^lit  cx- 
viitor  a  mile  or  **"  i" 
l)(,ut  tlireu  milfri  from 

it.ll    I    f^ilW    lit    lt'U8t    II 

U,  togi'ther  Willi  the 
that  retu-ed  locality. 
J  ".Jack"  hintern,  aiwl 
!  rtkiff  we  cinl)aiUe(l,  1 
iitern  uiul  my  K^'^^*^  '" 

n  pieture  the  wildncss. 
,t  followed.  The  skilf 
eo  rods  from  the  shore; 
not  a  ripple  announced 
ind  as  smoothly  as  does 

air. 

lided  and  increased  by 
,  thrown  upon  the  foli- 
iie  shore.  The  path  of 
■u  feet  in  width,  and  on 
Ind  behind  ns,  all  was  of 

led  to  be  of  silvery  whitL- 
iod  out  as  distinctly  and 
,on  a  black  background. 
,d  fairy-like  1  ever  wit- 
Lever  indicating  that  we 
If  the  belt  of  light  upon 

vt  would  swim  alongside 
(ght.  Occasionally  would 
Tpon  the  water,  and  often 

d  Ducks  that  were  swim- 


Tin;  HKA   1)1  TKS. 


.-.il,'] 


ming  about  and  feeding.  S..  close  did  we  p;i-s  to  .-niur  nf 
ihehL",  that  if  I  Inul  (ie>ire(l  I  i-nnid  have  aiiiin>t  tmirind 
them  with  my  niitstrclclied  hand.  Tiiey  were  al»<ihii.lv 
da/t'd  with  tiie  strong  light  that  was  thrown  upon  them. 

Several  times  we  pas.sud  thriimjh  a  I'amilv  of  yoiing  Ducks, 
a  part  of  the  Hock  Ijoiiig  on  one  side  of  the  Imat  ami  the  re- 
iiiaiiuler  on  the  ittlicr,  yet  they  did  not  beroni'  alarimd. 
and  1  had  a  good  t)pportunity  to  watcii  them  in  all  their 
niovcmt'iits. 

The  eggs  of  the  Smmner  Duck  are  of  a  dirty  \tllo\vish- 
white  color.  Their  form  varies  from  ovate  to  neailv  oval; 
and  tlieir  dimensions  vary  from  :i.2<»  by  1. .">,')  (^Wlseoiisoin 
to  '2.10  by  1.55  (Maine)  and  l.Uti  by  1.45  (  Massachusetts). 

This  species  is  easily  domesticated,  and  >ooii  liecomes 
very  tame.  It  breeds  in  continement,  and  soon  ac(|nii'es  all 
the  habits  of  the  domestic  ^fallard,  but  prefers  a  hollow 
tree  or  stunip  for  its  uesting-pluce. 


Sub-Family  Fuligulin^. —  The  Sea  Bitch. 

The  cliief  character  of  tho  FuliyuUme,  as  coiupari'J  with  lliu  Annlime,  ci)ii>i.-ls  in 
the  greatly  developed  lobe  or  membranous  flap  attached  to  or  auspiiiiltd  iVum  tho 
inferior  Burface  of  the  hind  too;  the  feet  are  usuully  enormously  larne,  the  tarsi 
short,  the  legs  set  far  back,  and  the  whole  organization  well  tittid  tor  swimming 
and  diving:  many  of  the  species  live  on  or  noar  the  seacoust,  although  most  of 
them  straggle  more  or  less  through  the  interior  of  the  countries  they  inhabit. 


FULIX,    SUNDKVALL. 

Fulix,  SuNDF.VAU,,  Kong.  Vet.  Ak.  Hand.  (1835).  (As  restricted.) 
Bill  longer  than  the  tarsus,  and  about  equal  to  tho  head,  and  to  the  middle  too 
without  the  nail;  feathers  of  checks,  chin,  and  forehead  advancing  but  sliglitiy,  and 
to  about  the  same  distance;  nostrils  open,  situated  in  the  anterior  portion  of  the 
basal  two-fifths  of  the  bill,  not  reaching  the  middle;  edges  of  bill  about  parallel, 
or  widening  to  the  tip;  profde  gently  concave  to  the  nail,  which  is  decurved;  nail 
aot  one-third  the  width  of  tho  bill,  and  forming  only  the  central  portion  of  its  tip; 
tarsus  about  half  the  middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  as  long  as  the  feet;  fail  short, 
rounded,  of  fourteen  feathers;   head  :ind  nuck  blaek. 


504 


OUNITIIOLOOY    AND   OOLOUT. 


■d 


1  3 


^4  '^n 


s 


rULIX   MARILA.—  /i./iV-A 

Tba  Soaup  Duck ;  Big  Black  Head  i  Blue  Bill, 

Anas  maritd,  l.iiiiix'UM.  SyM.  Nat.,  I,  (170U)  I'JO.  WiU.  Am.  Orii.,  VIII.  (18U, 
H. 

FiiUi/itl'i  iiKirild,  AiiiIiiIkiii      IlinU  Am.,  VII.  (IHtS)  3&&.     Uir.  U'lnU  I..  Ulaiid, 

Oi.MCiiii'iiii.v. 

Head  uiid  iiv(k  all  luimil,  jii;;iiIiiim  iiihI  flmuidiTa,  lowur  part  of  buck,  tail,  and 
cuvcrtH,  black;  the  bead  with  a  ^Iiiks  ot'  (bii'k-f{rccii  ou  tbo  nidcH;  runt  ul'iiinlcr  parts 
vliilc;  Icalbcrn  (in  tbu  biwcr  part:*  iil'  belly  and  cm  tliu  sidcH,  tliii  lun^  fcatbcn  of  tlie 
thuikM,  tbu  inttiM-apidiini,  and  the  xcapiilar^,  white,  waved  In  /.in/.ini  Iran.Hvcr.xely 
with  blai  k ;  unalcr  and  nililille  win^  eoverln  Hiuiilarly  marked,  but  nmre  fmely  and 
(jliscnrely ;  j;reater  covertH  tnwariN  Ibi'  tip  and  lb,'  leitiaU  ^jreenLsli -black ;  the 
i.peeidnni  is  while,  liiirdired  behind  by  ){reenHh-blaek  ;  the  while  extendini;  ucruss 
till'  wind"  central  puitiun  nf  tliu  Heeondarii'H;  imter  primaries  and  tips  of  all,  brown- 
ish-black; inner  (Jiies  palu-^ray;  the  central  line  dusky ;  axillars  and  niiddlu  of  tlie 
•  nl'eridr  KurlUcu  of  tbu  win^f  whitu;  bill  blue;  the  nail  black;  le|;H  plumbeouH;  iria 
yellow. 

Female  with  the  head  brown;  the  re^'ion  idt  mmid  the  base  of  the  bill  while;  tb  ' 
nndulation.s  of  black  and  whitu  on  tbu  featber.s  wantiiiK,  or  but  faintly  indieateil 
aboN'e. 

Length,  twenty  inches;  win^?,  nine;  tarsus,  one  and  liHy-eigbt  oiiediiindrcdtbs 
inches;  commissure,  two  and  sixteen  oiie-bnndredths  inches. 

Jfdb.  —  Whole  of  North  America  and  Kiirope. 

This  .Species  is,  iiltliougli  not  alumtliint,  goiicrally  mot 
with  on  our  coast  in  spring  and  fall.  It  sold(nn  i)eii(3trat('.s 
far  inland,  but  prefers  the  hays  and  mouths  of  creeks  on  the 
shore,  where  it  has  all  the  habits  of  the  .sea  Ducks.  1  have 
known  of  its  being  taken  in  small  iniinbcrs  on  Punkapoag 
Pond,  Massachu.setts,  where  it  associated  with  the  connnou 
Dusky  Duck.  Giraud,  in  his  "  Birds  of  Long  Lsland," 
speaks  of  it  as  being  very  abuiulant  on  our  coasts  ;  arriving 
from  the  North  from  the  10th  to  the  20th  of  October  in 
large  flocks.  My  experience  has  been,  that  it  is  far  from 
being  an  abundant  species;  and  that  it  is  more  often  seen 
in  flocks  of  not  more  than  eight  or  ten  birds  than  in  lai'ger 
parties.  Its  habits,  however,  may  vary  i\i  different  localities ; 
and  it  may  be  abundant,  like  many  other  species,  in  somo 
sections,  when  it  is  comparatively  scarce  in  others. 

It  passes  to  the  most  northern  countries  to  spend  t'  ' 


.OCT. 


TIIK    LITTLK    BLACK  IIKAI). 


•)U.i 


,  Blue  Bill. 
WiU.Am.0rn.,VIII.(l8U, 


3) 


3&5.     Gir.  UiriU  1-  l"la"J. 


H,  lower  piirt  of  liiiok,  tnil,  an.l 
iiitli.tciiU'n;  r.;»t  of  umlor  imrt!« 
B  Hidl'H,  tli«  loiiK  f>»tluT»  of  ll.e 
,  wiivud  ill  /.iKZ-ut?  traiHver^'ly 
ly  iimrUi'd.  Imt  »>""■«  ''""■'>■  »'"' 
„"  Kitials  j;rieiiiHli-l>liitk;  the 
k;  tliuwliile  «x^.■ullill^'  acroM 
irim.uic..  luM  lip-'  of  "".  >"■"*"■ 
,kyi  iixillur^  ami  miilill«  of  tin' 
mil  black;  leg*  plumbeous;  iris 

1(1  thti  base  of  till-  bill  wliitts  tb' 
milling,  or  but  faintly  imlicalea 

,  an.l  liUy-c'i«lit  ono-lniiulrcdtbs 

ll;4  illchuS. 


lumliuit,  tJoncniUy  met 

It  seldom  V^i'^t'"**'*'^ 
nimiths  of  creeks  on  the 

the  sea  Ducks.     1  lm\x« 

immbci's  ou  runkapoiijr 

;iated  with  the  commoii 

iVuds  of  Long  Island," 

oil  our  coasts;  arriving 

Ithc  20th  of  Octoher  in 

.ecu,  that  it  is  far  from 

lilt  it  is  more  often  seen 

ten  birds  than  in  larger 

,i-yi\iditTeront  localities: 

,y  other  species,  in  some 

searce  in  others. 

co\intries  to  spend  t'  ' 


souHun  of  ineulmtion  on  our  coast;  hut.  in  tin-  inli-rior.  it  is 
an  alMindiint  breeder,  —  in  (lie  lake  country,  iu  Wisconsin, 
and  other  localities  in  similar  latitudes.  It  nests  on  the 
ground  ;  forinin}.',  us  1  am  told,  a  nest  of  jrriissand  woods  iu 
a  marshy  swamp,  very  hiinilar  to  the  nest  of  the  Mallard  that 
breeds  in  the  same  localities. 

Tbo  eggs  are  from  six  to  ten  in  number:  tliey  are  of  an 
ovate  form,  Hometimes  nearly  oval ;  and  are  of  a  ilirty  palo- 
drab  color,  with  a  slight  tint  of  olivaceous. 

They  vary  in  dimensions  from  2.82  by  1.00  to  2.2tj  by 
1.:j2  inch  (^botli  sizes  from  Wisconsin). 

i'DLIX  AFFINIS.  -  /hird. 

The  LiUle  Black-head;  Blue  Bill. 

Fuliijuli  mnrilti,  Amlubim.  Oiii,  Uitj;.,  III.  (It-l.)  •li^\  \.  (\kvj)  liU.  Ih., 
llirds  Am.,  VI.  (18i;i)yiij. 

Fuliyutd  nuiMi;  Uiraud.    Uird.t  I..  Island  (lt)44),  ii'i. 

UEsciiirrioN. 

Dill  blue;  tliu  iiuil  blaik;  luud,  nuik,  fuivpart  •'(  baa^t,  and  Ijark  antiTJor  lu 
the  (ilioulder,  lower  part  of  back,  tail  and  itH  covltIh,  black;  tliu  bead  wiili  viobt 
purpio  ri'Hi'ctions,  ibanniii);  occasionally  to  ^Jrccn ;  the  belly  and  side,  willi  axillnis, 
and  central  portion  of  inner  surfaces  of  winirs  pure-wliitc;  tlic  Iuwit  part  of  the 
belly,  near  the  anus,  undulated  tinely  with  black  spots,  liie  intersciipular  region  and 
pcapulars  white,  with  transverse  zij;/.at;  bainis  or  lines  of  bluek,  thes(!  lines  much 
liirtlier  apart  in  the  scapulars,  wliicb  conseijucnlly  are  whiter;  win^s  blackish;  the 
lesser  and  middle  coverts  sprinkled  with  grayish  j  the  speculum  is  white,  edged 
behirul  by  greenish-black,  the  color  also  of  the  tertiuls;  the  white  of  the  speculum 
goes  across  the  middle  of  the  secondaries;   iris  yellow. 

The  female  has  the  wing  nearly  similar;  the  bhuk  replaced  by  brownish;  the 
ngion  round  the  base  of  the  bill  whitish;  the  marbling  or  mottling  almost  entirely 
wanting. 

Length,  sixteen  and  filly  onc-hundredths  inches;  wing,  eight;  tarsus,  one  and 
tlurly-tour  one-hundredths;  commissure,  one  and  ninety-lour  one-liundredths  inch. 

This  8j)6cies  resembles  the  former  in  its  general  hal)its, 
i)Ut  is  more  abundant  on  our  coast,  where  it  is  generally 
known  to  our  gunners  by  the  name  of  "  lUiie-bill  Coot." 
It  appears  in  our  creeks  and  bays  early  in  October,  and 
remains  with  us  xintil  late  in  Novemljcr,  and  even  later,  if 
the  season  is  mild  and  open. 


506 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


a 

J 

»:n 

1 

> 

^ 

s 


"The  food  of  the  Scaup  Duck  I  have  found  to  consist  of 
small  fry,  cray-fishcs,  and  a  mixture  of  such  grasses  as  hero 
and  there  grow  along  tiie  beds  of  our  rivers." — AuDunox. 
It  is  an  expert  diver,  and  can  remain  a  considerable  time 
under  water.  When  wounded,  it  often  dives,  and,  clinging 
to  the  weeds  or  rocks  at  the  bottom  of  the  water,  remains 
there  until  dead ;  and  often  die  bird  does  not  rise  to  the 
surface  iintil  the  whole  warmtli  of  it  has  lell  its  body,  when 
the  muscles,  losing  their  contraction,  permit  the  bird  to  flout 
otF.  Very  often  it  does  not  come  to  the  surface  at  all,  when 
thus  wounded  and  dying,  but  remains  like  a  slone  on  the 
bottom  nn.til  its  parts  become  separated  by  the  waves,  or  by 
crabs  or  other  crustaceans.  Of  the  breeding  habits  and 
nest  of  this  bird  1  am  ignorant.  I  have  but  a  single  egg  in 
my  collection,  from  Youkon.  This  is  ovoidal  in  form,  ol' 
a  dirty  pale-drab  color,  and  is  2.2o  inch  in  length,  and 
1.60  at  its  greatest  breadth. 


AYTIIYA,  UoiK. 

Aythya,  BoiE,  Isis  (1822).    (Type  Anas  ferimi,  L.) 

Very  similar  to  Fuliyula  in  general  characters  of  sh:ipe ;  the  bill  elongated,  longet 
than  the  head,  and  about  eqiiaJ  to  the  middle  toe  with  the  claw;  the  bill  more 
slender  in  one  species.  Ilie  nail  smaller  and  less  decurved;  the  bill  higher  at  base, 
and  the  upper  outline  nearly  straight  to  beyond  the  end  of  the  nostrils,  which  do 
not  quite  reach  the  middle  of  the  bill;  colors  similar  to  those  of  Fuligula;  the  head 
and  neck  red;  tail  of  Iburteuu  leathers. 


AYTHYA  AMERICANA.  —  Bimaparte. 

The  Bed  Head. 

Ancuferina,  WiLson.     Am.  Orn.,  VIIL  (1814)  84. 

Fuligtitaferina,  HuUaW.  Man.,  U.  (1S34)  434.  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (183B) 
198.     Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1S43)  311. 

Dksckiption. 

Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  broad,  blue,  the  ^nd  black;  the  region  anterior  to  tliu 
nostrils  dusky;  head,  and  neck  for  more  than  half  its  length,  brownish-red,  glossed 
above  and  behind  with  violaceou.s-red ;  rest  of  neck  and  body  anterior  to  the  shoul- 
Jerg,  lower  part  of  back  and  tail  coverts,  black;  beneath  white,  sprinkled  with  gray 
and  black  anterior  to  the  crissum;  the  sides,  interscapulars,  and  scapulars  finely 
lined  with  undulating  black  and  white  in  nearly  equal  proportions,  imparting  a 


THE   CANVAS-BACK    DUCK. 


.-,07 


(jeneial  gray  tint;  wing  coverts  bluish-gray,  (inuly  s>prinklu(l  with  whitiali;  thu 
speculum,  consisting  of  the  ends  of  the  suconilarifi",  linary  graylsh-bhic,  li;,'hlrat 
externally,  and  the  innermost  uarruwly  oilgoil  oxitiiially  with  Mack;  hasal  [Miriii>i' 
pf  inner  primaries  somewhat  similar  to  the  .-pcculiiiii;  tail  ot' I'ourteun  Icatiiers;  irjs 
orange-yellow. 

This  species,  with  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  Canvas -back,  is  readily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  shorter,  broader  bill,  absence  of  brown  on  the  head,  and  a  grtater 
predominance  of  black  in  the  waved  lines;  this  being  equal  in  amount  to  the  white 
instead  of  much  less. 

Kemale  with  the  head,  neck,  and  forepart  of  body,  brownish;  the  region  rouul 
the  base  of  the  bill  whitish. 

Length  of  male,  twenty  and  tilly  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  nine  anl  fiily 
one-hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and  sixty  one-hundredths;  commissure,  two  and  thirty 
one-hundredths  inches. 

Ilab.  —  Whole  of  Xorth  America. 


This  handsome  bird  is  pretty  abundant  on  our  shores, 
where  it  ustially  prefers  the  small  bays  and  e.'^ttiarics  of 
creeks :  it  is  also  found  in  many  of  our  large  tracts  of  fresh 
water,  where  it  feeds  on  the  tender  leaves  and  roots  of  the 
various  aquatic  plants,  and  small  fish,  and  larvae  of  aquatic 
insects.  I  found  several  specimens  of  botli  sexes  in  tlio  Urn- 
bagog  Lakes  in  Juno ;  and  I  think  it  not  impossible,  that,  if 
it  does  not  breed  there,  it  will  be  found  to  breed  in  some  of 
tlie  lake  regions  of  northern  New  England.  For  it  is  ob- 
served, in  various  localities,  as  late  as  the  first  week  in  June ; 
and  it  can  be  hardly  possible  that  all  the  birds  thus  observed 
are  barren. 

The  habits  of  this  species  so  much  resemble  those  of  the 
succeeding  species,  that  the  same  remarks  will  apply  to 
Ijoth. 


I.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (183.5) 


ck;  the  region  anterior  to  the 
its  length,  brownish-'-ed,  glossed 

and  body  anterior  to  the  shoul- 
leath  white,  sprinkled  with  gray 
rscapulars,  and  si'apulars  finely 

(M|ual  proportions,  imparting  a 


An'HIA    VALLISNEEIA.  — BmopaWe. 

The  Canvas-back  Duck. 

Anm  valUsneria,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (ISli)  103. 
Fuliffula  vaUisneria,  Nuttall.    Man.,  II.  430. 
Atjthya  willhnerin,  Bonaparte.     List  ( 183S). 
FtJiyula  vallUierinna,  Audubon.     Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  1. 
VI.  '1843)  af? 


lb.,  Birds  Ara., 


508 


OHNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


vii 


S 


DKSCItllTlON. 

Bill  long,  slondcr,  and  taperinf;;  head  all  round  and  neck  chestnut;  the  top  of 
the  head  and  region  around  the  base  of  the  bill  dusky-brown ;  rest  of  neck,  body 
anterior  to  the  shoulders,  back  beliind,  rump  aiul  tail  coverts,  black;  under  parts 
wliile;  the  region  anterior  to  tlie  anus,  the  sides,  the  interscapulars  and  scapulars, 
white,  linel}-  dotted,  in  transverse  line,  with  black,  the  white  greatly  predoininaling; 
fpeculuni  bluish-gray,  ligli(er  externally;  the  innermost  secondaries  of  the  specu- 
lum edged  externally  with  biack ;  iris  carmine. 

I'emale  with  the  black  and  chestnut  replaced  by  brown,  the  cheeks  and  ;'liin 
lighter,  and  some  tinged  with  dull-rufous. 

Length,  twenty  and  ten  one-hundreiltlis;  wing,  nine  and  thirty  one-hundredtlis, 
lursus,  one  and  seventy  onc-hundredths;  commissure,  two  and  sixty-live  inches. 

The  Cauvas-back  is  rarely  tiikou  in  New  England.  I 
have  seen  a  (tiw  that  were  killed  in  Pnnkuijoag  Pond,  Can- 
ton, Mass.  J.  A.  Allen  speaks  of  its  being  occasionally 
fonnd  at  the  western  part  of  the  State ;  and  I  once  killed 
one  in  Lake  Unibagog,  Mo.  It  generally  passes  to  its 
nortliern  breeding-grounds,  and  back  to  its  winter  home, 
through  the  interior  of  the  country,  seldom  by  the  seaboard, 
at  least  north  of  Pennsylvania ;  and,  when  found  in  New 
England,  is  only  a  wanderer  from  the  great  flight. 

Wilson,  in  describing  its  habits,  says, — 

"  The  Canvas-back  Duck  arrives  in  the  United  States  from  tlie 
north  about  the  middle  of  October:  a  few  descend  to  the  Hudson 
and  Delaware ;  but  tlie  great  body  of  these  birds  resort  to  the 
numerous  rivers  belonging  to  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  tiie 
Chesapeake  Bay,  particuhirly  the  Susquehanna,  the  Patapsco, 
Potomac,  and  James  Rivers,  which  appear  to  be  their  general 
winter  rendezvous.  Beyond  this,  to  the  south,  I  can  tind  no  cer- 
tain accounts  of  them.  At  the  Susquehanna,  they  are  called 
Canvas-backs ;  on  the  Potomac,  White-backs ;  and  on  James 
River,  Sheldrakes.  They  are  seldom  found  at  a  great  distance  up 
any  of  these  rivers,  or  even  in  the  salt-water  bay,  but  in  that  par- 
ticular part  of  tide-water  where  a  certain  grass-like  plant  grows,  on 
the  roots  of  which  they  feed.  This  plant,  which  is  said  to  be  a 
species  of  vaUlsneria,  grows  on  fresh-water  shoals  of  from  seven 
to  nine  feet  (but  never  where  these  are  occasionally  dry),  in  long, 
narrow,  grass-like  blades,  of  four  or  five  feet  in  length :  the  root  is 
white,  and  has  some  resemblance  to  small  celery.     This  grass  is  in 


THE    CANVAS-nACK    DUCK. 


oOP 


by  brown,  the  cheeks  and  '.^hiii 


many  places  so  thick  that  a  boat  can  wltli  iliirioiilty  he  rowed 
throuirli  it.  it  so  impedes  tlie  oars.  The  shores  arc^  lined  witli  hir^'e 
([iiaiitities  of  it.  torn  np  l)y  tlie  Ducks,  and  drifted  np  hy  the  winds, 
lying,  like  hay,  iu  windrows.  Wherever  this  ])]ant  ;,n'(>ws  in  ;d)iin- 
dance,  the  Canvas-backs  may  he  expected,  either  to  pay  oeeasional 
visits,  or  to  make  it  their  resjular  residence  dnrinti  the  winter.  It 
occurs  in  some  parts  of  the  Hudson;  in  the  Delaware,  near  (llou- 
cester.  a  few  miles  below  Philadelphia:  and  in  most  of  the  river.^ 
that  fall  into  the  Chesapeake,  —  to  each  of  which  particnhir  ]>laces 
these  Ducks  resort;  while,  in  waters  unprovided  with  this  nutri- 
tive plant,  they  are  altogether  uid<nown. 

"On  the  first  arrival  of  these  birds  in  the  Susquehanna,  near 
Havre-de-Grace,  they  are  generally  lean  ;  but  such  is  the  abundance 
of  their  favorite  food,  that,  towards  the  beginning  of  Novemlier, 
they  are  iu  pretty  good  order.  They  are  excellent  divers,  and 
swim  with  great  speed  and  agility.  They  sometimes  assemble  in 
such  multitudes  as  to  cover  several  acres  of  ,ie  river,  and,  when 
tliey  rise  suddenly,  produce  a  noise  resembling  thunder.  They 
tloat  about  these  shoals,  diving,  and  tearing  up  the  grass  by  the 
roots,  which  is  the  only  part  they  eat.  They  are  extremely  shy, 
and  can  rarely  be  approached,  unless  by  stratagem.  When  wound- 
ed in  the  wing,  they  dive  to  such  prodigious  distances,  and  with 
such  rapidity,  continuing  it  so  perseveringly,  and  with  such  cun- 
ning and  active  vigor,  as  almost  always  to  render  the  pursuit  hope- 
less. From  the  great  demand  for  these  Ducks,  and  the  high  price 
they  uniformlj'  bring  in  market,  various  modes  are  practised  to  get 
within  gunshot  of  them.  The  most  successful  way  is  said  to  he 
decoying  them  to  the  shore  by  means  of  a  dog,  while  the  gunner 
lies  closely  concealed  in  a  proper  situation.  The  dog,  if  properly 
trained,  plays  backwards  and  forwards  along  the  margin  of  the 
water ;  and  the  Ducks,  observing  his  maniruvres,  enticed  perhaps 
by  curiosity,  gradually  approach  the  shore,  until  they  are  sometimes 
within  twenty  or  thirty  yards  of  the  spot  whore  the  gunner  lies 
concealed,  and  from  which  he  rakes  them,  first  on  the  water,  and 
then  as  they  rise.  This  method  is  called  tolling  tlicm  in.  If  the 
Ducks  seem  difficult  to  decoy,  any  glaring  object,  such  as  a  red 
handkerchief,  is  fixed  round  the  dog's  middle  or  to  his  tail ;  and  this 
rarely  fails  to  attract  them.     Sometimes,  by  moonlight,  the  sports- 


510 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND    OOLOGY. 


man  directs  liis  skiff  towards  a  flock  wliose  position  lie  liad  pievi- 
ously  ascertained,  keeping  within  tli(!  prnjcctinjT  sliadow  of  some 
wood,  bank,  or  headland,  and  paddles  along  so  silently  and  imper- 
ceptibly as  often  to  approach  witliin  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  of  a 
flock  of  many  thousands,  among  whom  he  generally  makes  great 
slaughter. 

"IVIany  other  stratagems  are  practised,  and,  indeed,  every  plan 
that  the  ingenuity  of  the  experienced  sportsman  can  suggest,  to 
approach  within  gunshot  of  tiiese  birds :  but,  of  all  the  modes  pur- 
sued, none  intimidate  them  so  much  as  shooting  them  by  night; 
and  they  soon  abandon  the  place  where  they  have  been  thus 
repeatedly  shot  at.  During  the  day.  they  are  dispersed  about,  but, 
towards  evening,  collect  in  large  flocks,  and  come  into  the  mouths 
of  creeks,  where  they  often  ride  as  at  anchor,  witli  their  head 
under  the  ir  wing,  asleep ;  there  being  always  sentinels  awake,  ready 
to  raise  an  alarm,  on  the  least  appearance  of  danger.  Even  when 
feeding  .and  diving  in  small  parties,  the  whole  never  go  down  at  one 
time,  but  some  are  still  left  above  on  the  lookout. 

"  When  the  winter  sets  in  severely,  and  the  river  is  frozen,  the 
Canvas-backs  retreat  to  its  confluence  with  the  bay ;  occasionally 
frequenting  air-holes  in  the  ice,  which  are  sometimes  made  for  the 
purpose,  immediately  above  their  favorite  grass,  to  entice  them 
within  guns'iot  of  the  hut  or  bush,  which  is  usually  fixed  at  a 
proper  distance,  and  where  the  gunner  lies  concealed,  ready  to  take 
advantage  of  their  distress.  A  IMr.  Hill,  who  lives  near  James 
River,  at  a  place  called  Herring  Creek,  informs  me,  that,  one 
severe  winter,  he  and  another  person  broke  a  hole  in  the  ice,  about 
twenty  by  forty  feet,  immediately  over  a  shoal  of  grass,  and  took 
their  stand  on  the  shore  in  a  hut  of  brush,  each  having  three  guns 
%\'oll  loaded  with  large  shot.  The  Ducks,  which  were  flying  up  and 
down  the  river,  in  great  extremity,  soon  crowded  to  this  nlace,  so 
that  the  whole  open  space  was  not  only  covered  with  them,  but  vast 
numbers  stood  on  the  ice  around  it.  They  had  three  rounds,  firing 
both  at  once,  and  picked  up  eighty-eight  Canvas-backs,  and  might 
have  collected  more,  had  they  been  able  to  get  to  the  extremity  of 
the  ice  after  the  wounded  ones.  In  the  severe  winter  of  1779-80, 
the  grass,  on  the  roots  of  which  these  birds  feed,  was  almost  wholly 
destroyed  in  James  River.     In  the  month  of  January,  the  wind 


LOGY. 


BAUROW  S   GOLDEN    KYK. 


•Ml 


3  position  he  hail  inevi- 
jccting  sliadow  of  some 
(T  80  silently  ami  imper- 
en  or  t,wcnty  yards  of  a 
e  generally  makes  great 

.  and,  indeed,  every  plan 
)ortsman  can  suggest,  to 
lut,  of  all  the  modes  pur- 
shooting  them  by  night ; 
re  they  have  been  thus 
are  dispersed  about,  but, 
id  come  into  the  mouths 
anchor,  with  their  head 
lys  sentinels  awake,  ready 
of  danger.  Even  when 
lole  never  go  down  at  one 
lookout. 

d  the  river  is  frozen,  the 
ith  the  bay;  occasionally 
sometimes  made  for  the 
te  grass,  to  entice  them 
ch   is  usually  fixed  at  a 
IS  concealed,  ready  to  take 
1,  who  lives  near  James 
c,  informs  me,   that,  one 
:e  a  hole  in  the  ice,  about 
shoal  of  grass,  and  took 
each  having  three  guns 
which  were  flying  up  and 
crowded  to  this  nlace,  so 
vered  with  them,  but  vast 
y  had  three  rounds,  firing 
Canvas-backs,  and  might 
o  get  to  the  extremity  of 
verc  winter  of  1779-80, 
,s  feed,  was  almost  wholly 
ith  of  January,  the  wind 


continued  to  blow  from  W.N.W.  for  twonty-iinc  (l:i<  -vhirli  (Mu-cd 
such  low  tides  in  the  river,  that  the  gra«s  fro/c  to  tin-  ice  every- 
where ;  and,  a  thaw  coming  on  suddenly,  th(>  wlifil^^  was  raised  by 
the  roots,  and  carried  olf  by  the  fresli.  TIk;  mxt  winter,  a  few  of 
these  Ducks  were  seen  ;  but  they  soon  went  away  again  :  and,  for 
many  years  after,  they  continued  to  be  scarce  ;  and,  even  to  the 
present  day,  in  the  opinion  of  luy  inturmant,  have  never  been  so 
plenty  as  before." 

Tlio  delicacy  of  tlio  flcsli  of  this  bird  for  food  is  bo  well 
known  that  any  remarks  hero  seem  superfluous;  l)ut  1  will 
nay  that  it  docs  not  greatly  excel  that  of  the  Red  Head,  and 
in  my  own  opinion  is  not  at  all  superior  to  tliat  of  the  Teals 
or  Widgeon. 

The  Canvas-back  breeds  in  the  most  northern  portions  of 
tlic  continent.  I  am  ignorant  of  its  habits  in  tlio  season 
of  incubation,  and  have  but  one  egg  in  my  collection  to 
describe  from.  This  is  of  an  ovate  form,  nearly  oval,  of  a 
palc-blne  color  with  an  olivaceous  tinge,  quite  smootli  to 
the  touch,  and  quite  thin  and  brittle.  Its  dimensions  are 
2.54  by  1.78  inch. 


nUCKPHAI.A,  nAinn. 

Clanffuh,  Tlemtng,  Pliilos.  Zool.  (1S2S).  (Type  Anan  cln)itjul(i,\..)  Not  ^f 
1S22,  whit'li  lias  Anns  (/Idcirilis  for  type,  acciirdiiig  to  G.  1!.  Grny. 

liill,  from  fcalhcra  of  foreiiead,  nbout  equal  to  the  tnrsus,  and  shorter  than  the 
head;  high  at  the  base;  latcr.il  outlines  tapcrinp;  to  the  tip,  whore  the  nail  tbnns 
only  the  central  portion,  though  rather  large;  nostrils  situated  near  the  midiUe  of 
thahill;  feathers  of  chin  and  forehead  extending  only  moderately  forward,  a  littl« 
further  than  those  of  the  cheeks;  tarsus  rather  hku-o  than  half  the  foot;  tail  moder- 
ately long,  about  half  the  wing,  and  somewhat  pointed  -,  of  sixteen  feathers. 


BUCEPHALA  ISLANDICA.  —  J5«irrf. 
Barrow's  Golden  Eye. 


Futigula  ( Clangula)  Barromi,  Nuttall.     Man.,  II.  444. 
FuUgula  clangula,  Audubon.     Orn.  liiog.,  V.  (1839)  105. 
(1843). 


lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI 


512 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Df-scription. 

Head  and  neck  all  round  bliiish-vinlct,  nccasinnnlly  with  grocii  or  purplish  ro- 
flcction;  a  hirfje  wliilc  patch  nntorior  to  fho  eye,  oociipyiiiff  tlie  entire  side  of  the  liill, 
and  running  up  in  a  point  on  the  Ibrehcad;  lower  iieciv  and  under  parts  Keiurally 
white;  a  narrow  white  patch  on  tlie  middle  wing  coverts;  the  greater  coverts  hlaik, 
tipped  witli  white,  wliieh  is  continuous  with  the  white  secondaries,  but  separated 
iVoni  tliat  on  llie  nii(Ulle  coverts;  anterior  scapuhirs  white,  edged  externally  with 
lilack;  the  posterior  ones  black,  with  white  cent'ul  streak;  rest  of  upper  parts  black. 
IIS  arc  the  sides  behind,  and  incdnding  the  tibia;  long  leathers  of  the  flank  white, 
tipped  and  edged  above  with  black. 

Length,  twenty-two  and  lifty  onc-hundredths  inches;  wing,  nine  and  fifty  one- 
hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and  fifty-eight  one-hundredths  inches;  commissure,  one  and 
eighty  one-himdndllis  inches. 

//((i.  —  Iceland,  aiul  northern  parts  of  America.  In  winter,  not  rare  on  the  St. 
Lawrence. 


ri2 

-^■^ 

nqi 

::j 

o 

f  •' 

t 

'-■) 

s 

^ 

*>r. 

s 


This  sjiccies  is  found  in  considerable  nuni})ers  on  our 
north-eastern  coast,  in  the  winter  months.  It  breeds  in  tlic 
arctic  portions  of  the  continent,  but  lias  all  the  other  habits 
of  the  succeeding  species. 

BUCEPHALA  AMERICANA.  —  Bnh-J. 
The  Golden  Eye ;  Whistle  Wing. 

Anrit  clnngula,  Wilson.     Am.  Orn  ,  VIII.  (1S14)  62. 

FuUgula  (Clangula)  dangula,  Bonaparte.  Syn.,  (1S28)  393.  Nutt.  Man.,  II. 
44L 

Fuligula  clangula,  Audubon.  Om.  Riog.,  IV.  (1838)  318.  /*.,  Birds  Am.,  VI. 
,1843)  362. 

Clangula  Amencana,  Bonaparte.  Comp.  Li.st  (1838).  Eyt.  Mon.  Anat.  (1838) 
167. 

Description. 

Bill  black;  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  glossy-green;  the  under  surfaefi  opaque 
velvety  purplish-black;  an  elliptical  patch  along  the  base  of  upper  mandible  ante- 
rior to  the  ej'e,  lower  part  of  neck,  under  parts  generally,  and  sides,  middle  and 
greater  wing  coverts,  the  innermost  secondaries  fand  tertials,  except  the  innermost 
three  or  four),  white;  the  white  on  the  wing  is  in  a  continuous  patch,  although  there 
is  u  concealed  black  bar  on  the  bases  of  the  greater  coverts ;  the  inner  scapulars  are 
white,  margined  externally  with  black;  posteriorly,  however,  they  are  black,  streaked 
centrally  with  white;  the  inner  scapulars  and  tertials,  and  the  whole  back,  nnnp, 
and  le.sser  wing  coverts,  are  black;  the  primaries  and  tail  black,  with  a  hoary  gloss; 
the  underside  of  quills  and  lower  greater  coverts  are  plumbeous-gray;  the  rest  of 
the  under  wing  and  the  axillars  are  soof)'-brown ;  the  long  white  feathers  of  the 
flanks  are  edged  superiorly  with  black ;  iris  golden  j'ellow. 

Female  with  the  head  and  neck  above  snuft'-brown,  without  white  patch;  white 
of  wing  less  extended ;  the  middle  coverts  only  touched  with  white ;  there  is  a  ten- 


'II 


r.Y. 


TIIK    (JOLDEN    RYR. 


r.i:] 


■  with  f,'''ff^"  "■■  pi'T^i^''  •'•'■ 
iiiK  the  entire  si<lo  ol'tlu;  liill, 

mill  miller  parts  m'luriillv 
»;  tlie  pviittT  cnverts  lilmk, 
0  sccoiiilarios,  but  pcpnratcil 
ivliite,  eilKi'd  externally  witli 
lit;  rest  of  upper  parts  black, 

t\;atlu'rs  nf  tlie  flank  white, 

;s;  winj;.  nine  and  fifty  one- 
iiielies;  cmnmissure,  one  and 

n  w  inter,  not  rare  on  the  St. 


ible  nuuil)ors  on  our 
ths.  It  breeds  in  the 
as  all  the  other  habits 


-  Bnird. 

(1828)  393.  Niitt.  Man.,  H. 
838)  318.  lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI. 
138).    Eyt.  Mon.  Anat.  (1838) 


•eon;  the  under  surface  opaque 
base  of  upper  mandible  anto- 
lerally,  and  sides,  middle  and 
tcrtials,  except  the  innermost 
ntiniioiis  patch,  although  there 
overts;  the  inner  scapulars  are 
jwever,  they  are  black,  streaked 
s,  and  the  whole  back,  nimp, 
tail  black,  with  a  hoary  gloss; 
;  plumbeous-gray;  the  rest  of 
he  long  white  feathers  of  the 
lUow. 

1,  without  white  patch;  white 
edwithwliite;  there  is  a  ten- 


ilincy  to  a  binok  bar  across  the  tips  nf  tlie  greater  coverts;  tlie  white  of  the  wiii« 
»ninetitnc3  well  delined. 

Length,  eighteen  and  seventy-live  onc-lmndrcdths  imlies;  wing,  eight  and  lirtv- 
one-hundredtlis;  tarsus,  one  and  titty  one-hundredths;  niminissiiri',  twu  inches. 

Hub. —  Wliole  of  North  America. 


This  handsome  species  is  a  common  spring  and  antiiiini 
fcsident  in  New  England  ;  and  in  mild  winters  is  dftoii  seen, 
lioth  ill  tlie  bays  and  rivers  on  the  coast,  and  in  tlie  hiki^s 
and  ponds  in  the  interior,  when  they  are  optMi.  It  broods 
in  the  northern  portions  of  New  England,  partii'iilmly  in 
iliG  lake  conntry  of  Northern  Maiite.  I  have  found  it,  in  the 
breeding  season,  in  Lake  Umbagog,  and  in  the  Magtdloway 
River;  but,  although  I  searched  carefully  for  its  nest,  I 
could  not  find  it.  This  might  have  been,  and  |)robably  was, 
owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ncstiiig-jilace  ;  lor  I  saw  several 
pairs,  and  the  localities  were  those  which  this  bird  selects 
for  the  purpose  of  incubation. 

The  nest  of  this  species  is  built  in  a  hole,  in  a  tall  dead 
tree,  or  in  the  top  of  a  tall  stub,  which  is  hollowed  sufTlciently 
for  its  reception.  The  pines  and  hemlocks  often  die  ;  and, 
standing  for  years,  the  bark  drojjs  off,  then  the  limbs,  until 
the  body  is  at  last  left,  a  single  straight,  smooth,  white  shaft, 
often  from  forty  to  fifty  feet  high,  and  two  or  throe  feet  thick 
at  its  base.  At  last,  in  a  fierce  storm  or  gale,  the  shaft  eithm- 
breaks  off  close  to  the  ground,  or  at  sometimes  the  height 
of  twenty  or  more  feet;  leaving,  in  the  top  tint  I'cmains 
standing,  a  huge  rent,  sometimes  a  foot  or  even  more  in 
depth.  In  this  the  Golden  Eye  nests ;  building  of  grass, 
loaves,  moss,  and  down  from  its  own  breast,  a  warm  struc- 
ture, in  which  she  lays  from  six  to  ten  eggs.  These  are 
generally  very  rounded  in  form,  of  a  grcenish-bluo  color, 
and  average  from  2.40  by  1.7o  inch  to  2.30  by  1.78  inch 
in  dimensions.  The  loud  whistling  of  the  wings  of  this 
species,  as  it  passes  through  the  air,  has  given  it  the  name 
of  the  "  Whistler."  The  bird  feeds  on  small  fish  and 
various  aquatic  plants,  and,  when  living  in  the  interior,  is 

33 


514 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND    OOLOOY. 


a  fiiic-flavoi'cd  fowl  for  tho  tabic ;  but,  when  killed  on  the 
aoiist,  its  flesh  is  fishy  and  stroiijr.  It  is  a  bird  of  very 
rapid  flight,  and  is  ratlicr  shy  and  diflicult  of  approach. 


Mi 


n 


BUCEPHALA  ALBEOLA.  —  ndnl. 

The  Buffle-head  ;  Dipper ;  Butter-ball. 

Anat  albeola,  Linnaeus.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (17C6)  199.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VIII 
(18U)  r.i. 

I'uUijula  [CInngula)  albeota,  Honaparto.    Syn.  (1828)  394.    Nutt.  Man.,  II.  445. 

FuUijnla  nlbeola,  Audubon.     Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  217.     lb.,  liir.ls  Am.,  VI. 

(1S43)  licit. 

DESciiimoN. 

il/((/c.  —  Hill  blue;  head  and  neck  anteriorly,  dark -colored ;  the  region  in  troi. 
of  the  eye  and  on  the  sides  of  tho  collar  beliii.d,  ricli-greeu,  tliis  color  shading  into 
purplisli  on  the  upper  and  under  surfaces  of  tho  head;  a  broad  patcli  on  eacli  side 
of  the  head  Ironi  tlie  postcrio-  border  of  tlu;  eye,  and  meeting  its  fellow  on  tho  nape, 
the  lower  neck  all  round,  under  parts  generally,  wing  coverts  (except  tho  lessor) 
and  most  of  tho  .secondaries,  and  the  scapulars,  while;  the  latter  narrowly  edged 
externally  with  black;  rest  of  upper  parts,  except  as  described,  black;  passing 
gradually  on  the  upper  tail  coverts  into  piile-gr.ay;  axillara  and  under  wing  covens 
BOoty-brown,  more  or  less  tipped  with  white;  iris  hazel. 

Femiili\  —  With  tho  entire  head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  almost  black;  an  elongated 
patch  behind  and  below  the  eye  (not  reaching  it);  the  outer  webs  of  some  second- 
aries, and  the  under  parts,  white;  the  jugulum,  sides,  and  anal  region,  plumbeous- 
gray. 

Length,  fifteen  inches;  wing,  six  and  sixty-five  one-hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and 
twenty-five  one-hundredths;  commissure,  one  and  forty-four  one-hundredths  inch. 

This  very  common  and  well-known  bird  is  abundant  on 
our  coast  in  tlie  spring  and  autumn.  It  associates  witii 
most  of  tho  other  Sea  Ducks  in  our  bays  and  creeks,  but,  in 
the  interior,  is  seen  only  in  pairs,  or  in  small  flocks  of 
three  or  four  individuals.  It  is  an  expert  diver ;  and  one 
finds  difficulty  in  shooting  it  when  there  are  two  or  three 
individuals  together,  from  its  habit  of  diving  at  the  flash  of 
the  gun.  I  have  seen  it  at  times,  particularly  after  a  severe 
storm,  in  small  fresh-water  ponds,  in  the  interior ;  and,  at 
such  times,  it  is  quite  tame  and  unsuspicious,  or  possilily 
fatigued  from  its  efforts  in  the  storm.  It  feeds  on  small 
fi.sh  and  crustaceans,  which  it  is  very  expert  at  catching. 
When  soveral  birds  are  together,  one  always  remains  on  the 


*; 

I 


)LOOY. 


TUE   IIAULKQUIN    DUCK. 


t'lo 


lit,  %vhcu  killod  on  the 
It  is  a  bird   of  very 
ilifliciilt  ol"  approach. 

_  liaird. 

lutter-ball. 

!)   199.     Wits.   Am.  Orn.,  VIll 

1828)  304.    Nutt.  Mi\ii.,  H.  •»•«•>• 
(1838)  217.      Jl>;  li'"-'l^  Am.,  VI. 

Llark-colorcd;  flic  region  in  froi. 
•icli-Rreen,  this  color  sluviing  into 
ead;  a  broad  pat-'li  on  eaili  fide 
i,id  meotin-  its  fellow  on  the  nape, 
wins  coverts  (except  the  lessor) 
'white;  the  latter  narrowly  edned 
ccpt  as  described,  black;  pasjii'S 
•;  axillarsand  under  wing  coverts 

ha/.el. 

,cr  parts  almost  black;  an  clonpatcd 
).  the  outer  webs  of  some  second- 
sides,  and  nnal  region,  plumbeous- 

,.e  one-hundredtbs;  tarsus,  one  and 
d  forty-four  one-hundredths  inch. 

,wu  bird  is  abundant  on 
umn.     It  associates  witli 
r  bays  and  crocks,  bnt,  in 
•s,  or  in  small  flocks  of 
ai'  expert  diver ;  and  one 
11  there  are  two  or  throe 
,  of  diving  at  the  flash  of 
particuhirly  after  a  severe 
,  in  the  interior ;  ami,  at 
nnsuspicious,  or  possibly 
:orm.     It  feeds  on  small 
very  expert  at  catching, 
me  always  remains  on  the 


surface  while  the  others  arc  below  in  search  of  food,  and,  if 
alarmed,  it  utters  a  short  quack,  when  the  others  rise  to  the 
surface;  and,  on  ascertaining  the  cause  of  the  ularin,  all 
dive  and  swim  ollrapitlly  t«»  llic  distance  of  several  inindii'd 
feet.  Tiie  Buflle-head  breeds  in  the  northern  portions  of 
the  continent.  It  nests  in  the  holes  of  dead  trees,  likt;  tho 
preceding.     The  eggs  are  from  five  to  eigiit  in  number. 

HISTRIONICUS,  Lesson. 

HhtrimiiniB,  I>K88ojf,  Man.  d'Oniith.,  U.  (1S2S)  41.'i.  (Type  Annslii/trHnncn,  I  ) 
Hill  very  small;  the  culmen  shorter  than  tarsus,  laperin;,'  rapidly  to  the  rounded 
tip,  which  is  entirely  occupied  by  the  nail;  nostrils  small,  in  tho  unterior  portion  of 
posterior  half  of  bill;  the  centre  about  opiiosite  the  niidille  of  coinniissuri: ;  a  well- 
marked  aufjle  at  the  postero-superior  corner  of  the  bill;  the  lateral  outline  con- 
cave behind,  the  feathers  on  forehead  exte-ulin;,'  a  little  beyond  it;  tliose  of  thin  not 
reaching  further  than  those  of  the  sides,  and  ninch  posterior  to  the  nostrils;  lateral 
outline  of  edge  of  bill  nearly  straiRht;  a  membranous  lobe  at  the  base  of  the  bill; 
tertials  bent  outward,  so  as  to  cross  the  edge  of  the  wing;  tail  more  than  half  the 
wing,  considerably  pointed,  of  fourteen  feathers. 

HISTRIONICUS    TORQDATDS.  —  Bmnparte. 
The  Harlequin  Duck. 

Annt  hiBtrionica,  Linnscus.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1758)  127.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  VIIL 
(1814)  139. 

Fulignla  ( Clan<]ula)  hislrionica,  Bonaparte.   Syn.  (1828),  304.   Nutt.  Man.,  II.  448. 

FiiHgiita  hisirionica,  Audubon.  Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  612;  V.  (1839)  017.  lb.. 
Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)374. 

Descbiption. 

Afale.  —  Head  and  neck  all  round  dark-blue;  jugiilum,  sides  of  breast,  and  upper 
parts,  lighter  blue,  becoming  bluish-black  again  on  the  tail  coverts;  tlie  blue  of 
hreast  passes  insensibly  into  dark  bluish-brown  behind;  a  broad  stripe  along  the 
top  of  head  from  the  bill  to  the  nape,  and  the  tail  feathers,  black;  awhile  (latch 
along  the  entire  side  of  the  base  of  bill  anterior  to  the  eye,  and  passing  upwards 
and  backwards  so  ns  to  border  the  black  of  the  crown,  but  replaced  trom  above  the 
eve  to  the  nape  by  chestnut;  a  round  spot  on  the  side  of  the  occiput;  an  elongated 
one  on  the  side  uf  tho  neck;  a  collar  round  the  lower  part  of  the  neck,  interrupted 
hcliire  and  behind,  and  margined  behind,  by  dark-blue;  a  transversely  elongated 
patch  on  each  side  the  breast,  and  similarly  nuirgined;  a  round  spot  on  tlie  middle 
wing  coverts,  a  transverse  patch  on  the  end  of  the  greater  coverts,  the  scapulars  in 
part,  a  broad  streak  on  the  outer  web  of  tertials,  and  a  spot  on  each  side  the  rest  of 
the  tail,  white;  sides  of  body  behind  chestnut-brown;  secondaries  with  a  metallic 
speculum  of  purplish  or  violet-blue ;  inside  of  wing,  and  axillars,  dark-brown;  irif 
reddish-brown. 


;)10 


OIINITHOLOOY    AND   OOLOCY. 


Female.  —Willi  the hcail and  Iiody  nbovv,  ilnrk-hrowii i  the  <Iiiii  more plurnlicdU;. 
Iho  lower  part  of  nock,  liri'iist,  and  mulrr  parts  f,'i'iii'rally,  I'xct-pt  tlio  central  rc;;i(iii 
(which  Ih  white),  diitlcr  and  ii^liter  hrown;  n  wiiilixli  patcli  in  tront  ot  the  eyo,  and 
•  rounded  »pot  Juat  beliind  tlie  ear. 

LenKlh,  pevontecn  and  iil\y  ime-lmndredths  inehcn;  wing,  seven  and  ncventy 
nnp-hiindredthn;  far.;u«,  ono  and  forty-eight  ono-hundrcdthn;  commisiure,  one  and 
lllly-fmir  one-hundrudtliH  indies. 

//lib.  — Nortlurn  soiiciia'<t  of  northern  hemisphere. 


t'r 


S 


The  irarlcquiii  Duck  is  very  raro  in  Southern  Now  Kn^,-- 
land,  and  is  seldom  met  with  hero  sonth  of  the  most  nortli- 
era  portions  on  its  coast.  There  it  is  pretty  ahundantly 
seen  as  a  winter  visitor.  It  greatly  resembles  the  following' 
in  its  general  characteristics.  Its  nost  and  eggs  aro  tinia 
desirihcd : 

"Tlie  nest  is  composeil  of  dry  plants  of  varions  kinds,  arrnnged 
in  a  circ'.dar  manner  to  the  liciglit  of  tlu'ce  or  four  inches,  iind  line<l 
with  finer  grasses.  The  eggs  are  five  or  six,  rarely  more,  measure 
two  inches  and  one-sixteenth  hy  one  inch  and  four  and  a  half 
eighths,  and  are  of  a  plain  gre'jnish-yellow  color.  After  the  eg^s 
are  laid,  the  female  plucks  the  down  from  the  lower  parts  of  her 
hody,  and  places  it  beneath  and  around  them." 

HAUKLDA,  Leach. 

"  ITareltln,  Leach  (ISIO),"  Gray.  (Tj-po  Anns  ghdalh,  L.) 
Bill  shorter  than  the  head  and  tarsus,  tapering  laterally  to  the  end;  the  nail 
verj'  broad,  occupying  the  entire  tip;  lateral  profile  of  lower  edge  of  upper  mandi- 
ble straight  to  near  the  end,  then  rising  suddenly  to  the  prominent  deciirvcd  nail; 
nostrils  large,  in  the  posterior  half  of  the  bill,  their  centre  about  opposite  the  middlu 
of  the  commissure;  tcrfinl-  long,  lanceolate,  and  straight;  tail  pointed,  of  fourteen 
featliers,  the  central  feathers  very  long,  equal  to  the  wings;  bill  with  almost  no  pos- 
terior lateral  upper  angle;  the  feathers  of  the  sides  advancing  obliquely  fonvards; 
feathers  of  chin  reaching  beyond  the  middle  of  the  commissure,  or  almost  to  tlie 
tr.terior  extremity  of  nostrils;  tail  of  fourteen  feathers. 


HARELDA  GL ACIALIS.  —  Leach. 

The  South  Southerly;  Old  Wife;  Long-taiL 

Antu  gladaVt,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VIIL  (1814)  93,  96. 
Fuligula  {ITarelda)  glacialis,  Nuttall.    Man.,  IL  (1834)  453. 
FuHguh  glacirilu,  Audubon.    Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  103.    lb.,  Birds  An.'.,  VT 
(1*43) 870 


,0(iY, 


TUE   SOUTH   huUTllKULY. 


■  r 


KH ;  the  thin  more  plumlmouK 

lly,  (•xit'pt  tlio  cciilnil  rr^'itiii 
jHi'lili  ill  ircmt  of  this  «ye,  Bii.l 

ics;  wing,  seven  nml  Rcventy 
(IrcilthHi  commiMnre,  one  mil 


n  Sontlioni  New  Eu'^- 
nth  of  tho  most  nortli- 
t  is  pretty  almiulaiilly 
•C9cmble8  tho  foUowiii!,' 
3at  ami  ogj^s  aro  thus 

)f  various  kinds,  arrmigcl 
e  or  four  inclies,  ami  liruMl 

six,  rarely  more,  measure 
inch  and  four  and  a  half 
low  color.     After  the  eg;;s 

om  tho  lower  parts  of  her 
hem." 


glncinlit,  L) 

„g  laterally  to  the  end;  the  nail 
,1c  of  lower  clge  of  upper  mandi- 
to  the  prominent  ileeurvcd  naili 
f  centre  about  opposite  the  middle 
Btraiffht;  tail  pointed,  of  fourteen 
10  wings;  bill  with  almost  no  pos- 
ies advancing  oblifiucly  forwards; 
the  commissure,  or  almost  to  the 
thers. 


,  —  Leach. 

ife;  Long-tail. 

4)  93,  96. 
[I.  (1834)  453. 
(1838)  103.     76.,  Birds  An;.,  VI 


I)i;m  iiiriiii.N. 

AfiiU  in  luMHit;.  —  Itill  l.lii.k,  orungi'-yojlow  towards  tlio  tip;  head,  mik,  mkI 
liriast,  vcrj-  dark  l)laeki.Hh-l)rciwii;  tlie  luad  uUivc,  bark,  riiiiip.  uiid  nii<UIK'  i.ni 
ti'atlier!<,  blat  k ;  the  wliiiiu  Mv  of  tlit.'  Iiiuil  fnnn  tliu  hill  and  td  In  Ijiml  llic  ivio  .iml 
tlif  sides  of  llic  bcidy,  pall!  Iiliii«li-nray ;  llir  piirtion  ii\'  tliu  iIh  vk  palili  iuiiihiluililv 
arMiind  and  In-hind  tlie  eyi'  wjlli  u  l<in;!ilii'llii.ii  stnak  tacli  -ilf  tlii' oi  >  ipttt ;  llir 
untUr  pails  ^incrally,  and  lliu  nion;  .  xtmi.il  nl  Icailicrs,  »\  Imc;  tratluT!)  on  llif 
fiire  part  of  tint  back,  willi  the  capillar",  liroaaly  rdgi'd  with  li^-lit  riMMi-li-lnowii ; 
under  wint{  lovirt.s  and  a.\illars  briiwnish-thociilutu;  uu  wliit.'  wli.itivcr  I'li  tin- 
wing. 

,U  lie  in  iriiilir.  —  llilhrs  fripui  .sninimr  dress  in  having  the  lu^d  and  k  wlillt- 

Id  the  jugidiim  and  iiiliTMiiiiular  rijiimi;  llio  j,'ray  el  llic  elieeks  persi-li  iil,  and  a 
IipikI  patch  of  black  on  the  sides  uf  the  neck  behind  this;  the  scapulars  are  |';de 
pearl-gray;  iris  while. 

FciiKite.  —  Lacks  the  hiiig  points  lo  the  tail  and  siapiilars;  the  head  and  i;eck 
dusky,  with  a  whitish  ]iatcli  around  tho  eye  and  on  the  sides  of  the  nejk  behind. 

Length,  twenty  and  seventy-live  one-liundredths  inches;  wing,  jiuht  and  ninety 
oiie-hundredlhs;  tail,  oight;  tarsus,  one  and  thirly-cight  onu-hundredths;  ci  uunis- 
suiv,  one  and  sLxty-two  oue-hiindredlhs  inches. 

Tlio  Loug-tailod  Duck,  so  common  in  Massachusetts  Ihiy 
in  tlie  fall  and  sprin<^  migrations,  broods  in  tlio  most  imrlii- 
eni  portions  of  tho  continent. 

Audubon,  in  describing  the  nest  and  eggs,  says, — 

"  The  ucst  was  placed  under  an  alder-bush,  among  nuik  wtjeds, 
not  more  than  eight  or  nine  feet  from  the  edge  of  the  water,  iiiid 
was  formed  of  ratlier  coarse  grass,  with  an  ui)per  hiyor  of  (nicr 
weeds,  which  were  neatly  arranged,  while  tlio  down  liiitd  the  bot- 
tom of  tne  cavity.  [This  was  on  the  28lh  of  .hily,  l.S.'J.'j.  'I'hn 
young  birds  had  left  tliis  nest.]  The  number  of  young  hioods  in 
sight  induced  me  to  search  for  more  nests;  and  in  ahoiit  an  hour 
I  discovered  six  more,  in  one  of  whicii  I  Wiis  delighted  to  find  two 
uniiatched  eggs.  They  measured  two  inches  and  oiie-eightli  long, 
by  one  and  four  and  a  half  eighths  broad ;  were  of  a  uniform  pale 
yellowish-green,  and  quite  smooth." 

In  the  months  of  September  and  October,  this  bird  i» 
most  abundant  in  Now  England.  It  gathers  in  immense 
flocks,  and  f.equents  the  bays  and  inlets  on  tho  shore, 
wliore,  keeping  up  its  peculiar  cry  or  chatter,  the  noise 
»f  tho  flock  is  sometimes  to  be  hoard  at  the  distance  of 
a  mile.     It  is  in  this  season,  that  the  gunner,  with  his 


518 


OUNITIIOLOOY    AND   OOLOdV. 


8 


Hiiil-bofit  or  (lu;U,  piir.iiios  tlicso  liird.s  with  grout  uc-lhity. 
On  ii|iiiruui;liiiig  oiiu  of  thoso  largo  llouks,  it  is  cii.stonmry  to 
stour  tlio  bout  to  tlnj  wimlwunl  of  it ;  for  tlu'y,  liivo  luont 
oliuif  fowls,  uhviiyrt  I'isL!  to  tlio  windward.  Wiicn,  tliiMcfortj, 
llitj  gnnniu'  arrives  within  gunshot,  ho  firos  into  tlio  llock 
wliilo  it  is  in  liio  water;  and  when  it  risos,  and  llios  to  tiio 
windward,  oftoii  diroctly  ovor  his  boat,  ho  pours  into  it 
soniL'tinios  (hroo  or  four  other  chargijs  hoforo  it  gets  out 
of  siiot.  It  is  a  dillicult  bird  to  kill ;  and,  when  wounded,  it 
always  dives  and  elings  to  the  l)o(toni,  wIkm-o  it  di(;s.  1  oneo 
broiigiil  down  seven  birds  out  of  a  Uuek  at  one  diseharge, 
when  tliey  dove,  and  I  did  not  socuro  one.  Its  tlesh  ia  oily 
and  strong,  and  is  in  no  reputo  for  tho  table. 

MELANETTA,  Ucuic. 

Foathcrs  cxtciulinjj  ncurly  us  fur  forward  on  the  sides  of  Iho  bill  as  tlio  ii-istril, 
luuving  llie  edges  only  free  from  the  base;  bill  very  broad;  nail  broad  an'  Blinnst 
U-unciitu. 

MELANETTA  VELVETINA.  —  Jiuird. 
The  Velvet  Suck;   Vniite-wing;ed  Coot. 

Ann»  fuiia,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (1814)  137. 

Fuliyula  (Oilemia)  futcd,  Bonaparte.  Syn.  (1828),  300.  Nutt.  Man.,  II. 
(1834)  4ia. 

Fulif/iilii  fuscn,  Audubon.  Orn.  IJiog ,  III.  (1635)354.  76.,  Birds  Am.,  VI. 
(18415)  332. 

Desckiption. 

Afate.  —  Bill  very  broad,  wider  towards  the  tip  than  at  the  base ;  feathers  extend- 
mff  far  alonp  the  side  of  the  bill,  and  on  the  forehead,  for  nearly  half  the  commissure, 
running  in  an  obtuse  poini  about  as  far  forward  as  the  lower  corner  of  tho  outline  of 
feathers  on  the  side,  both  reaching  nearly  to  the  posterior  border  of  tho  large,  open, 
nearly  rounded  nostrils;  culmen  horizontal  a  little  beyond  the  frontal  feathers,  then 
abruptly  bent  downwards,  nearly  perpendicularly,  to  the  nuich-depressed,  nearly 
horizontal  portion;  a  sharp  indented  ridge  along  the  base  of  culmen,  encling  in  t\ 
trihedral  tubercle;  color  black ;  a  white  elimgated  patch  around  and  a  little  behind 
the  eye,  and  c  largo  white  speculum  on  the  wing,  conipo.sed  of  white  secondari^^i 
and  tips  of  greater  coverts;  bill  black  at  base  and  lateral  edges;  red  eleewhcrc;  iris 
bright-yellow. 

Female.  —  Somewhat  similar,  bui  lighter  beneath;  a  large  whitish  patc'a  on  the 
side  ni'  the  head  behind  the  eye,  but  none  around  it;  wings  with  white  speculum, 
ioniewhui  as  iu  the  male:  bill  also  similar,  but  less  swollen  anil  elevated  it  ba.se. 


TIIK    VKLVKT    lin  K. 


:,]'.) 


LciiKtIi.  lwriily-<iiii'  uiiil  llrty  ()no-huii>lri'<|ili,>  linliiii  wiiijj,  il.viii  mil  iljirty 
.ili«-liiiii(lriillli»  ;  larsii",  two  iiiul  fi^lit  iiiii'-liiiiiilriillliii  ;  i,i>miiiisi>iiri'  h\.i  uiid 
;i{;|ity-twi)  iini'-liiiii<lri'i|lli»  iiii  hm, 

//lib.  —  Al<ilii{  butli  ciiuit»  III'  Niirlh  Ann  rira  t>>  llir  iii>rlli. 


(1828),  800.     Nutt.  Man.,  II. 
;  1835)354.     76.,  Uirds  Am.,  VI. 


than  at  the  base;  feathers  extend- 
,1,  for  nearly  half  the  commifsuro, 
the  hiwcr  corner  of  the  outline  of 
..terior  border  of  the  larKC  open, 
l,.-yon(l  the  frontal  feathers,  tlien 
to  tlie  nuich-depressed,  nearly 
tlio  base  of  eulmen,  ending  in  a 
patch  around  and  a  little  behind 
ig,  composed  of  white  secondaries 
lateral  edges;  rod  elsewhere ;  iris 

•ath;  a  large  whitish  patch  on  the 
nd  it;  whigs  with  white  ppeculuiu, 
.s?  swollen  and  elevated  it  ba.so. 


Tho  Volvet  Puck,  or  ''  \Vliilu-\viii;^v.l  Coot,"  as  it  i.s  .niii- 
mull  y  culKiil  oil  our  coast,  is  a,  very  altiiiKliiiit  npocii's,  in  ihc 
iiiitiUim  ami  througii  tlu!  <:n'iit».'r  |i;iit  <>['  tin!  wiiitor,  in 
liio  l»ays  and  iiilots  aloii;^  our  wliult!  sliuii.'s.  It  is  oui!  of  the 
.■^L'a  Ducks;  and,  alllioiigli  tu'casittnally  round  in  small  nuin- 
bora  in  tho  lar«^o  ljodi(;s  ol"  watur  in  tho  interior,  it  is  sel- 
ilom  seen  in  largo  flocks  in  any  otl)er  localities  tlian  the 
salt  waters  of  tho  seacoast.  Tliero  it  is  takt-n  in  iil)un- 
daiico  from  tho  lirst  week  in  Oetolier  until  tho  iniddlo  of 
Pecembor.  Tho  sportsuien,  with  decoys  made  of  wood, 
liaintod  to  resomblo  these  fowls,  anchor  their  small  hoats 
ill  localities  whoro  tho  Coots  aro  known  to  pass;  and,  from 
early  dawn  until  lato  in  tho  forenoon,  and  from  lat(!  in  tlie 
aftornoon  until  night,  keep  up  a  constant  fusillade  on 
the  swiftly  moving  (locks.  I  have  known  two  gunners  to 
secure,  in  one  day's  shooting,  thirty  pairs  of  tiiese  birds; 
and  this  largo  number  is  often  exceeded. 

Tho  "Coots"  aro  hunted  more  for  the  excitement  of  tho 
thing  than  for  the  sake  of  their  flesh  ;  for,  living  as  they  do, 
entirely  on  lish  and  a  few  mollusks.  their  flesh  is  strong 
and  oily,  and  far  iVom  pleasant.  This  species  breeds  in 
Labrador  and  other  northern  localities.  "The  nests  aro 
plac(;d  within  a  few  feet  of  the  borders  of  small  lakes, 
a  milo  or  two  distant  from  the  sea,  under  the  low  boughs 
of  the  bushes  of  the  twigs  of  which,  with  mosses  and 
various  plants  matted  together,  they  are  formed.  They 
aro  large,  and  almost  flat,  several  inches  thick,  with  some 
feathers  of  the  female,  but  no  down,  under  the  eggs, 
which  aro  usually  six  in  number,  2|  inches  in  length  by 
1|  in  breadth,  and  of  a  uniform  pale-cream  color  tinged 
with  green." 


)20 


OUMTUOLUUY    AND    OOLOUi'. 


PELIONETTA,  Kaup. 

Feathers  not  cxtuiuling  on  sides  of  tlie  bill ;  nail  pointuil  anleriurly ;  colors  'lack, 
witii  n  IriaiiKiilar  white  jjateli  oil  the  top  of  Lead  and  another  on  najie;  bill  red, 
with  a  rounded  black  lateral  spot  at  base. 


5 


PELIONETTA  PERSPICILLATA.  —  Kaup. 
The  Surf  Ruck;    Sea  Coot;  Butter-bill  Coot. 

Aims  per sjiici Until,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VIII.  (1814)  49. 

FuUijula  {Oidemia)  pevsniciUalu,  15oiiaparte.  Syn.  ilS28),  389.  Nutt.  Man., 
II.  410. 

Ftilif/ula  jiersjticitldta,  Audubon.  Urn.  Uio{^.,  IV'.  (1838)  161.  /i.,  Birds  Am., 
VI.  (1S43)  337. 

Descriition. 

Male.  —  Tail  of  fourteen  feathers ;  bill  but  little  longer  than  the  head,  the  feathers 
extending  forward  half-way  from  the  base  to  the  tip,  and  oppo.-iite  the  posterior  border 
of  the  nostril;  the  bill  abruptly  decurved  or  gibbous  anterior  to  the  end  of  the 
feathers;  noslrils  open,  nearly  semicircular  or  stirrup-shajjcd,  the  straight  portion  of 
the  outline  antero-inferior;  sides  of  bill  swollen  at  the  base  so  as  to  be  I'urther  apart 
above  than  below;  color,  entirely  black  throughout,  with  a  greenish  lustre  above, 
duller  beneath;  a  triangular  white  patch  on  the  top  of  head,  the  base  extending 
between  the  posterior  outline  of  the  eye  and  reaching  forward  to  a  point  a  little 
beyond  the  posterior  line  of  the  bill,  the  outlines  rounded  laterally  and  anteriorly; 
the  patch  is  separated  ironi  the  eye  by  a  narrow  superciliary  black  space;  there  is  a 
second  triangular  white  patch  beginning  on  the  nape  as  a  straight  line  the  width  of 
the  other  patch,  and  running  backwards  for  more  than  two  inches;  these  triangular 
spaces  are  thus  base  to  base;  iris  yellowish-white. 

Fmuile.  —  Bill  as  long  as  that  of  the  male,  but  not  swollen  at  the  base,  where  the 
sides  approach  each  other  above;  the  feathers  of  forehead  do  not  extend  one-third 
the  distance  from  base  to  tip  of  bill;  the  middle  of  nostril  not  quite  as  far  as  the 
middle  of  the  bill;  nostrils  linear,  acutely  pointed  anteriorly;  color  brown;  lighter 
on  the  neck;  sides  and  beneath  the  under  surface  of  the  body  whitish;  an  obscure 
whitish  patch  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  and  another  on  the  side  of  the  head  behind 
the  eyes. 

Length  of  male,  nineteen  inches;  wing,  nine  and  forty  one-hundredths;  tarsus, 
one  and  sixty-three  one-hundredths ;  commissure,  two  and  thirty-seven  one-hun- 
dredths  inches. 

Hab.  —  On  and  near  seacoast  of  North  America,  quite  far  south  in  winter;  acci- 
dental in  Europe. 

TliG  Surf  Duck,  or  "  Butter-bill  Coot,"  as  it  is  usually 
called  oil  the  coast,  is  equally  abundant  with  the  preceding. 
Like  all  the  Sea  Ducks,  this  bird  is  an  expert  diver.  I  have 
t'ollowed  a  flock  of  Sea  Coots  for  hours  in  a  small  yaclit, 
with  a  good  breeze,  and  have  been  unable  to  get  within 


TlIK   SCOTKIi. 


f*21 


■.  (1838)  lei.    lb.,  Birds  Am., 


gunshot  of  them,  and  without  thoii-  taking  wing  ovon  at  that. 
As  soon  as  I  arrived  within  two  or  tlu-oo  gunsliots'  di.slance, 
the  whole  flock  sank  hencatli  tlic  surface  like  so  many 
stones ;  and,  swiuuning  under  water  fur  almost  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  appeared  at  tlie  surface  in  a  locality  wliere  I  least 
expected  to  see  them:  sometimes  immediately  astern  of  my 
boat ;  at  others,  in  a  direction  at  right  angles  to  tlie  course 
which  I  supposed  they  had  taken. 

Audubon,  in  describing  a  nest  that  he  found  in  a  boggy 
marsh  near  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  says, — 

"  Tlie  uest  was  snugly  placed  amid  the  tall  loaves  of  a  huncli 
of  grass,  and  raised  fully  four  inches  above  its  roots.  It  was 
entirely  composed  of  withered  and  rotten  weeds,  the  former  being 
circularly  arranged  over  the  latter ;  producing  a  well-rounded 
cavity,  the  borders  of  which  wei'e  lined  uilh  the  down  of  tlio  bird, 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  Eider  Duck's  nest;  and  in  it  lay  five 
eggs,  which  were  two  inches  and  two  and  a  half  eighths  in  length, 
by  one  incii  and  five-eighths  in  their  greatest  breadth.  They  were 
more  equally  rounded  at  both  ends  than  usual,  the  shell  perfectly 
smooth,  and  of  a  uniform  pale-yellowish  or  cream  color." 


,ot  swollen  at  the  base,  where  the 
..thead  do  not  extend  one-third 
of  noslril  not  quite  as  far  as  the 
anteriorly;  color  brown;  lighter 
of  the  body  whitish;  an  obscure 
•r  on  the  side  of  the  head  behind 

nd  forty  one-hundredths;  tarsus, 
!,  two  and  thirty-seven  one-hun- 

a,  quite  far  south  in  winter;  acci- 


Coot,"  as  it  is  usually 
lant  with  the  preceding, 
an  expert  diver.  I  have 
lOurs  ill  a  snrall  yacht, 
u  unable  to  get  within 


OIDEMIA,  Flemiko. 

O'ukmia,  Fleming,  "  Philos.  Zool.  (1822)."     (Typo  Anas  nii/ra,  L.) 
Uill  inueh  swollen  at  base,  the  terminal  portion  much  depressed  and  very  broad; 
nail  broad,  occupying  the  terminal  portion  of  the  bill;  nostrils  situated  anterior  to 
the  middle  of  the  commissure;  feathers  of  the  chin  running  forwards  as  far  as  the 
nostrils;  color  black  with  or  without  small  patches  of  white. 


OIDEMIA  AMERICANA.  — SMinson. 

The  Scoter. 

Anns  nitjra,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VIII.  (1814)  135. 

Fuliyula  Americana,  Audubon.     Oin.  Uiog.,  V.  (1839)  117.    lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI. 

;i843)  343. 

Descrution. 

^falc.  —  Tail  of  sixteen  feathers;  bill  much  swollen  on  the  basal  third;  the  basal 
portion  of  culmen  convex,  and  rajiidly  descending;  the  terminal  portion  of  bill 
much  depressed;  the  anterior  extremity  of  nostrils  half-way  from  the  lateral  or  upper 
leathers  at  the  base  of  bill  to  the  tip;  the  swelling  at  base  of  bill  divided  by  a  fur- 
row along  the  median  line;  the  frontal  feathers  extend  slightly  forward  in  un  obtust! 


522 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


point;  bill  of  ffmalo  not  vorv  dissimiliir,  lackiiif;  the  swcllinf;  at  the  base;  color 
eiitirily  black  all  over,  without  any  white;  bill  black  alon;^  the  edges  and  tip;  the 
swollen  basal  portion  red  to  bej'ond  the  ncjslrils. 

Ftmale.  —  IJrown:  lighter  on  sides  of  head,  throat,  and  under  surface  of  body, 
where  the  leathers  have  each  an  obscure  dusky  spot. 

Length,  twenty-three  and  eighty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  nine  and  twenty 
one-hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and  seventy-eight  one-hundredths;  commissure,  two 
and  fourteen  ouc-hundredths  inches. 


V-ti 


3 

»:r; 

ai 

i 

s 


This  species  is  also  known  on  the  coast  by  the  name  of 
Coot.  It  is  far  less  abundant  than  the  other,  but  has  all 
tlie  habits  of  that  bird.  It  also  associates  with  it,  and  is  a 
very  expert  diver ;  sinking  beneath  the  surface  of  the  water, 
at  the  flash  of  a  gun,  before  the  shot  reaches  it.  I  knov; 
nothing  of  its  breeding  habits,  and  have  no  eggs  by  me  foi 
description. 

SOMATEPJA,  Lkacii. 

iiumaleria,  Leach,  in  Fleming's  Philos.  Zool.  (1822).  (Type  Anas  nwllissimn,  L.) 
Bill  much  conijiressed,  tapering  to  the  tip ;  tho  nail  enormously  large,  and  forming 
the  terminal  portion  of  the  bill,  and  much  decurved;  the  feathers  of  forehead 
advancing  forward  in  an  acute  long  point,  separating  on  each  side  a  frontal  exten- 
sion or  linear  process,  or  the  feathers  of  the  cheek  may  be  said  to  extend  a 
considerable  distance  along  the  commissural  edge  of  tho  bill ;  nostrils  situated 
anterior  to  the  middle  of  the  commissure;  tail  rather  pointed,  but  short,  of  fourteen 
feathers. 

SOMATERIA    MOLLISSIMA.  — /.eaiA. 
The  Eider  Duck. 

Anas  moUissima,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  Vllf.  (1814)  122. 

Fiiliijula  {Suinateria)  mollisslma,  ISonaparte.  Syn.  (1828),  388.  Nutt.  Man.,  II 
(1834)  407. 

Fuliijula  mnllissima,  Audubon.  Orn.  Biog.,  TIL  (1835)  344;  V.  Cll.  Jb.,  Birdi 
Am.,  VI.  (1843)  34'J. 

Descrii'tion. 

Tail  of  fourteen  feathers;  prevailing  color  white;  the  under  surface  and  sides  of 
body,  hinder  part  of  biKk,  rump,  and  tail,  black;  wings  v/hite  on  both  surfaces, 
except  the  quills,  which  are  black;  narrow  margin  inferii-ly  of  the  frontal  process 
of  bill  and  the  forehead  violet-black,  this  color  bifurcating  opposite  the  middle  of  the 
eye,  and  continued  broadly  on  each  side  the  head  to  the  nape,  the  color  extend- 
ing a  little  bclcw  the  eye;  the  white  below  and  behind  the  black  glossed  with  trans- 
parent emerald-green;  the  interspace  white;  iris  brown. 

Length,  twenty-six  inches;  wing,  eleven  and  twenty-tour  one-hundredt'.is;  tar- 
sus, one  and  eighty-two  one-hundredths;  commissure,  two  and  fifty-three  one-him- 
dredths  incheii 


,OGY. 


Tlir;    KING    KIDEK. 


623 


e  swiHiri!,'  at  the  biisc;   colnt 
[  along  the  edges  ami  tip;  the 

,t,  and  under  surface  of  body, 

)t. 

nches;  whig,  nine  and  twenty 

■huudredths;  commissure,  two 


coast  by  the  name  of 
the  other,  but  has  all 
;iatc9  with  it,  and  is  a 
le  stirface  of  the  water, 
)t  reaolies  it.  I  know 
ave  no  eggs  by  me  for 


822).  (Type  Anas  nwUissima,  I..) 
lil  enormously  lart^e,  and  forming 
irved;  the  feathers  of  forehead 
ng  on  each  side  a  frontal  extcn- 
hoelc  may  be  said  to  extend  a 
ro  of  the  bill;  nostrils  situated 
r  pointed,  but  short,  of  fourteen 


\,.  —  Leach. 


14)  122. 
•n.  (1S28),  38S.    Nutt.  Man.,  II 

I.  (1835)344;  V.  611.     76,  Uirdi 


e;  the  under  surface  and  sides  of 
'  wings  white  on  both  surfaces, 

n  infer),  -ly  of  the  frontal  process 
-rcating  opposite  the  middle  of  the 

[id  to  the  nape,  the  color  extend- 
-hind  the  black  glossed  with  trans- 

irown. 

twenty-four  one-hwidredt'.is ;  tar- 
mre,  two  and  lit^y-Uiree  one-h\m- 


;=s?«iSi: 


This  is  auotlier  of  our  Sea  Ducks  that  is  very  abundant 
in  the  bays  and  inlets  of  our  coa.sL  during  the  full  and  win- 
ter months,  and  until  Ajiril  in  the  spring. 

The  history  of  its 
habits  and  distri-  0 
hution  is  so  well  J^> 
known,  that  any  ac-  ^af 
count  here  is  hard-  z^^- 
ly  needed.  -;  ' 

It  breeds  in  abun-  -;,; 
(laiice  ill  Labrador 
uud  other  northern 
portions  of  tlic  con- 
tinent, and  a  few  pass  the  season  of  incubation  on  tlie 
islands  in  the  Bay  of  Fuiidy  ;  this  behig  tlie  nearest  ])oint 
to  our  coast  that  it  breeds  in  at  present,  although  it  is  said 
to  have  formerly  reared  its  young  on  the  islands  off  Cape 
Ann  in  Massachusetts,  and  off  the  coast  of  Maine. 

The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground  beneath  the  shelter  of 
a  low  bu.sli  or  thick  bunch  of  weeds  or  grass.  It  is  con- 
structed, first,  of  a  thin  layer  of  grasses  and  weeds,  on 
which  the  female  deposits  a  thick  layer  of  down,  which  she 
pulls  from  her  breast.  This  is  decjjly  hollowed  ;  and  in  this 
warm  receptacle,  the  eggs,  from  six  to  eight  or  ten  in  num- 
ber, are  deposited.  Tliese  are  of  a  dirty  pale-green  color, 
and  their  form  is  varied  from  ovate  to  a  sharply  pointed 
ovoidal.  Their  dimensions  vary  from  3.22  by  2.10  inches 
to  2.82  by  1.98  inch. 

SOMATEEIA  SPECTABILIS.— ieacA. 
The  King  Eider. 

Ana*  tpectnbilis,  I.innaius.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1760^  195.    Gm.,  I.  667. 

Fvlif/ula  {Somnteria)  sjiectabilis,  lionnparte.  Syn.  (1828),  389.  Nutt.  5Ian.,  II. 
1834)  414. 

Fuligula  speclabilis,  Audubon.  Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  523.  lb.,  Birds  Am.,  V I 
1843)  347. 


rariiif 


624 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


UkSCUII'TION. 

Body  and  wngs  black;  the  portion  anterior  to  the  shoulder  joint,  interscnpiilxr 
rcf^iou  in  part,  most  of  neck  and  throat,  white;  the  jiiguluro  with  a  creamy  tiii^i':  n 
narrow  boriler  to  tlie  frontal  processes  of  tlie  bill  and  their  interspace;  pniall  ppace 
riiund  till'  eye  and  a  V-shapid  mark  on  the  thin  black;  top  of  head  and  nape 
bluish-ash,  plij;htly  spotted  with  biack;  middle  wiiit;  coverts,  tips  of  sucondarie.-, 
axillars,  and  most  of  under  surface  of  wing,  with  a  patch  on  each  side  of  the  rump 
white;  sides  of  head  glossed  with  transparent  emerald-green;  the  scapulars  Lave 
the  black  tinged  with  slate. 

Length,  twenty-one  and  liftj'  oiu-hiindrcdths  inches;  wing,  ten  and  seventy  onc- 
hiiiidredths;  tarsus,  one  and  eigli(y-!>ix  uiie-hundredths:  commissure,  two  and 
iiflv-three  one-hundredths  inches. 


n 

•J 


"^3 


The  King  Eider  is  a  rare  species  on  our  coast  in  the 
winter  months.  It  is  a  more  northern  species  than  the  pre- 
cetling,  and  seldom  reaches  as  far  south  as  the  coast  of 
Massachusetts.  It  is  of  similar  hahits  with  the  other  Sea 
Ducks,  and  breeds  in  the  most  northern  sections  of  the 
country.  The  eggs  found  by  Captain  Jaaies  Clark  Ross^ 
R.N.,  measure  2|  inches  by  1|,  have  a  smooth  shell,  and  are 
of  a  uniform  duU-grecnish  color. 


Sub-Family  Euismaturinje. 


The  most  prominent  character  of  the  Erismatuvince  is  found  in  the  very  rigid  tail 
feathers  with  the  much  abbreviated  coverts,  which  leave  the  greater  portion  of  th? 
tail  exposed.  There  are  peculiarities  in  the  nail  at  the  end  of  the  bill  in  Erumatuni 
not  found  in  the  other  sub-families. 


ERISMATURA,  Bonaparte. 

Erismatura,  Bonapakte,  Saggio,  etc.  (1832). 

Bill  broad,  rather  high  at  the  base,  much  depressed,  and  bent  upwards;  upper 
lateral  angle  of  bill  running  back  on  the  forehead  some  distance,  farther  than  the 
lower  edge  of  the  bill;  nostrils  reaching  to  the  middle  of  the  bill,  rather  small;  por- 
tion of  nail  seen  from  above  very  narrow  and  linear;  bent  abruptly  downwards  and 
backwards  at  the  tip,  so  as  to  be  invisible  from  the  upper  surface;  tarsi  very  short, 
scarcely  more  than  one-third  the  long  feet;  tail  very  stiff,  of  eighteen  feathers; 
the  coverts  above  and  below  very  much  abbreviated,  so  as  to  expose  the  greater 
part  of  the  tail;  the  feathers  narrow,  linear;  the  shafts  very  large,  and  channelled 
on  the  under  surface  near  the  base;  wings  very  short,  and  incur i'ed  at  the  end. 


LOGY. 


THE    IlUnnY    DUCK. 


52o 


le  shoulder  joint,  interscapular 
.giilum  with  a  creamy  Uw^i-,:  a 
Ulieir  interspace;  Miiall  space 
bluclc;  top  of  head  and  nape 
ii;^  coverts,  tips  of  secondaries, 
)a"tcli  (in  eacli  side  of  tlie  rumi' 
lald-green;  the  scapulars  Lave 

les;  wing,  ten  and  seventy  one- 
Ircdths:   counnissure,  two  and 


3  ou  our  coast  in  the 
fii  species  than  the  pre- 
south  as  the  coast  of 
)its  with  the  other  Sea 
)rtheru  sections  of  the 
am  Jaincs  Clark  Ross, 
a  smooth  shell,  and  are 


rURINiE. 

rime  is  found  in  the  very  rigid  tail 
■h  leave  the  greater  portion  of  th? 
the  end  of  the  bill  in  Erismatma 


IPAUTE. 


EBISMATUEA    RUBIDA.  —  liowiparU. 

The  Ruddy  Duck  ;  Dipper  Duck. 

Ana»  rublila,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn  ,  A'llf  (1814)  128,  130. 
Anns  {Full(jiila)  rul/i<h,  ])mMi^:\nc.    f)ln.  Wils.  (l«2.'i),  2*18. 
Fulifjuln  ((hjmniirn)  ruhhli,  Xutlall.     Man.,  II.  (1^01)  4'Jti. 
Fiilif/ula  riihiih,  Swainsnn.     F.  Bor.  Am.,  II.  (1R:11)  L").     And   Om.  TUdj;.,  IV 
(18.38)  328.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  321. 
Eritmatura  rubida,  Bonaparte.     List  (1^38). 

Dkscrii'tion. 

Bill  grayish-blue;  top  oi"  head  and  nape  Ijlack;  sides  of  head  below  the  eyes 
with  the  chin,  pur^  opaque-white;  lower  part  of  neck  all  round,  and  the  entire  upper 
part.s,  with  upper  portion  of  sides,  cliestnut-red ;  under  parts  generally  lustrous  grav- 
ish-whito,  with  an  occasional  brownish  tinge;  rissuin  pure-white;  wings  brown, 
without  speculum,  finely  and  almost  •nappnv'ably  sprinkled  with  gray;  tail  nearly 
black ;  iris  hazel. 

Female  with  the  entire  upper  parts  dark -brown ;  the  back  and  wing  coverts  (inoly 
sprinkled  with  grayish ;  tlie  under  parts  brownish-wliile,  tinged  with  greenish-brown 
across  the  lower  part  of  neck ;  the  brown  of  the  head  comes  down  below  the  level 
of  the  eye,  and  there  is  an  obscure  dusky  stripe  parMllel  with  its  lower  outline,  from 
the  commissure. 

The  continuity  of  the  white  of  the  under  rts  is  interrupted  by  the  occasional 
appearance  of  the  basal  brown  of  the  featl.  -,  owing  to  the  shnrtness  of  the  wliito 
tip,  which  thus  gives  rise  to  the  appearance  of  dusky  transverse  bands. 

Length,  sixteen  inches;  wing,  five  and  eighty  one-hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and 
twenty-six  one-hundredths;  conimissuie,  one  and  eighty  one-hundreilths  inches. 

Hiib.  —  Whole  of  North  America;  abundant  throughout  the  interior. 

This  pretty  little  Sea  Duck  is  not  very  common  on  our 
coast.  It  visits  us  only  late  in  the  autumn,  and  remains 
until  early  spring,  frcqiienting  the  bays  and  iMU3ts  along  tho 
shore,  where  it  feeds  on  small  fish  and  moUu.sks,  which  it 
obtains  by  diving.  It  is  so  export  a  diver  that  sportsmen 
recognize  it  by  the  name  of  "  Ruddy  Diver  "  and  "  Dipper ;  " 
and  all  attest  to  the  difficulty  with  which  it  is  shot. 


pressed,  and  bent  upwards;  upper 
■ad  some  distance,  farther  than  tlie 
(Idle  of  the  bill,  rather  small;  por- 
ar;  bent  abruptly  downwards  and 
.he  upper  surface;  tarsi  very  short, 
il  verv  stiff,  of  eighteen  feathers; 
iated,'so  as  to  expose  the  greater 
c  shafts  very  large,  and  channelled 
hort,  and  incuri'ed  at  the  end. 


Suh-Famihj  Merging.  —  Tlir  Slieldrakes. 

Bill  very  slender,  narrow,  compressed,  terminated  by  a  conspicuous  nail;  edges 
much  serrated,  the  serrations  projecting;  tarsi  much  compressed;  the  scales  anteri- 
orly large  and  transverse,  becoming  smaller  and  smaller  on  the  sides  and  behind; 
tail  feathers  eighteen  in  North-.Vinerican  species.  '*' 


520 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOOY. 


Tlip  ^ferl|in(%,  or  Fis'iing  Ducks,  are  roprcsentod  in  the  United  States  by  three 
well-cstatilishcd  Fpeoic?,  placed  by  modern  systemntists  in  as  mnny  gencrn.  Two 
of  tlicse,  lidwevcr,  arc  so  noarly  alike  that  I  prefer  to  consider  them  as  the  same :  the 
third  is  siilliciently  distinct. 


MERGUS,  LiNN.EUS. 

Mergui,  Lisn.eus,  Syst.  Nat.  (1735).    (T^-pe  3f.  castor,  h.) 

IJill  longer  than  the  head,  :nostly  red;  serrations  conical,  acute,  recurved;  crest 

occipital,  pointed,  or  depressed;  tarsus  about  two-thirds  the  middle  toe;  tail  about 

half  the  length  of  wings. 


^ 


•;^ 


n 


a- 

c*4 


MEEGDS    SEERATOR.  —  Linnceui. 

The  Red-breasted  Merganser. 

Merffus  scrralor,  Linn.Tus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  208.    Wilg.  Am.  Om.,  VIII. 

(1814)81.    Nutt.  Man.,  n.  (1834)  463.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  V.  (1839)  92.     /«.,  Birds 

Am.,  VI.  (1843)  395. 

Description. 

Feathers  of  the  forehead  extending  on  the  bill  in  a  short  obtuse  angle,  and  fall- 
ing far  short  of  the  end  of  those  on  the  sides ;  the  outline  of  the  latter  sloping  rapidly 
forwardr.,  and  reacliing  half-way  from  the  posterior  end  of  the  lower  edge  of  bill  to 
the  nostrils,  and  far  beyond  those  on  the  side  of  lower  jaw;  nostrils  narrow,  pos- 
terior; their  posterior  outline  opposite  the  end  of  basal  third  of  commissure. 

AMe.  —  Head  with  conspicuous  pointed  occipital  crest ;  head  and  upper  part  of 
neck,  all  around,  dark-green;  under  parts  reddish-white;  jugulum  reddish-brown, 
streaked  with  black;  sides  conspicuously  barred  transversely  with  tine  lines  of  bliick : 
feathers  anterior  to  wing  wliite,  margined  with  black;  white  of  wing  crossed  by  two 
bars  of  black ;  iris  red. 

Female.  —  Head  with  compressed  occipital  crest;  chestnut-brown;  body  above 
ash ;  beneath  reddish-white ;  the  black  at  base  of  secondaries  exposed ;  outer  tertials 
white,  edged  with  black. 

Length,  twenty-tliree  and  twentj'-five  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  eight  and 
sixty  onc-hundrodths;  tarsus,  one  and  eighty  one-hundredths;  commissure,  two 
and  scventj'-six  one-hundredths  inches. 

JTiib.  —  Whole  of  North  America  and  Europe. 

This  species  is  quite  abundant  on  our  coast  in  the  autumn 
and  winter  months.  It  docs  not  appear  to  be  gregarious  to 
a  great  extent ;  for  seldom  more  than  three  or  four  individu- 
als arc  oltsorved  together.  It  is  an  expert  diver,  swimming 
to  a  great  distance  beneath  the  water  at  the  least  alarm, 
and,  when  appearing  at  the  surface,  usually  only  thrusting 
its  head  out  to  reconnoitre.  I  have  seen  it  swimming,  with 
only  the  bill  and  upper  part  of  its  head  above  water,  in  the 


LOfiY. 


THK  GOOSANDEU. 


in  the  United  Stales  by  thref 
tista  in  as  ninny  Rcncrn.  Two 
consider  them  as  the  same:  the 


.  castor,  h. ) 

IS  conical,  acute,  recurved ;  crest 

hirds  the  middle  toe;  tail  about 


Linrueus. 
anser. 

60)  208.    Wils.  Am.  Om.,  VIII. 
Biog.,  V.  (1839)  92.     lb..  Birds 


n  a  short  obtuse  angle,  and  fall- 
lutline  of  the  latter  sloping  rapidly 
)r  end  of  the  lower  edge  of  bill  to 

lower  jaw;  nostrils  narrow,  pos- 
asal  third  of  commissure, 
il  crest;  head  and  upper  part  of 

i-white;  jugulum  reddish-brown, 
insversely  with  fine  lines  of  bliick ; 
ck ;  white  of  wing  crossed  by  two 

;  chestnut-brown;  body  above 
lecondaries  exposed ;  outer  tertiala 

Iredths  inches;  wing,  eight  and 
ne-hundredths;  commissure,  two 


our  coast  in  the  aiitumn 
(pear  to  be  gregarious  to 
1  three  or  four  individu- 
expcrt  diver,  swimming 
ater  at  the  least  alarm, 
,  usually  only  thrusting 
seen  it  swimming,  with 
tcad  above  water,  in  the 


wake  of  a  boat  from  which  it  had  licoii  wouihIimI  :  ainl  il 
iictually  followed  for  a  considoraljli  di.stiuic(!  lu't'oro  il  w;i.s 
discovered.  I  have  noticed,  in  otli^r  Sea  Ducks,  llii.s  Iruit 
of  following  behind  a  boat,  and  conclude  that  it  i.s  done  for 
concealment. 

I  am  not  aware  that  this  species  breeds  in  New  Eiie- 
land.  It  breeds  in  localities  in  the  same  latitude  witii 
tlie  most  northern  sections  of  tliose  States ;  but  1  am 
inclined  to  tliink  that  it  is  less  of  a  southern  species  than 
the  succeeding. 

It  is  described  as  selecting  for  its  nesting-place  a  small 
island,  usually  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  sea,  somotimos 
in  the  interior.  "  The  nest  is  very  large  ;  at  times  raisetl 
seven  or  eight  inches  on  the  top  of  a  bed  of  all  tlie  dead 
weeds  which  tlie  bird  can  gather  in  the  ncighl)orliood. 
Properly  speaking,  the  real  nest,  however,  is  not  larger 
than  that  of  the  Dusky  Duck,  and  is  rather  neatly  formed 
externally  of  fibrous  roots,  and  lined  round  the  edges  with 
the  down  of  the  bird."  Tlicre  are  usually  about  eleven 
eggs.  These  are  generally  nearly  oval  in  shape,  sometimes 
ovoidal.  They  are  of  a  pale  yellowish-drab  color,  much 
darker  than  those  of  the  Sheldrake.  They  vary  in  dimen- 
sions from  2.63  by  1.82  inch  to  2.48  by  1.75  inch. 

MERGDS    AMERICANUS.  —  Cnssin. 

The  Goosander;  Sheldrake;  Fish  Duck. 

iHergus  merganser,  Wilson.    Am.  Om.,  VIII.  (1814)  68.    Nutt.  Man.,  II.  (1834) 
460.    And.  Om.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  201.     lb..  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1S43)  387. 
Mergus  Aniericanus,  Cassin.    Pr.  A.  N.  So.  (1853),  187. 

Description. 

Feathers  of  the  forehead  extending  on  the  bill  in  an  acute  angle  for  half  the  dis- 
tance between  those  on  the  sides  and  the  nostril ;  outline  of  those  on  the  sides  nearly 
.-ertical,  and  reaching  only  a  little  beyond  the  bogiiiiiing  of  lower  edge  of  hill,  but  as 
fur  as  tho.se  on  the  side  of  lower  jaw;  nostril  large,  far  forward,  its  middle  opposite 
the  middle  of  the  commissure. 

Male.  —  Head  without  conspicuous  crest;  head  and  neck  green :  forepart  of  back 
black;  beneath  salmon-cclor;  wings  mostly  white,  cro.sscd  by  one  band  of  black: 
•ides  scarcely  barred  transversely ;  iris  carmine. 


528 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND    001,00 Y. 


Femnh.  —  Ilrail  with  n  cninpri'-ssi'd  nccipitnl  crc^t;  lipnd  niii)  ncrk  ilicMtnut, 
lliovonshy;  IkmuiiiIi  siilninn-cdidrod;  wliitu  of  greater  coverts  with  a  terminal  l)ai 
of  asliy  (sometimes  wanting);  the  black  of  base  of  secondaries  entirely  concealed: 
outer  torlialu  ash. 

Head  witliout  conspicuous  crest,  though  one  is  visible  in  life.  Head  and  most  of 
neck  all  round  very  dark  preen ;  rest  of  neck  and  the  body  {generally,  except  the 
upper  part,  creaniy-whito,  deepeniuf;  to  salmon-red  beneath.  Lower  part  of  back, 
rump,  and  tail  feathers,  plumbeous;  forepart  of  back,  interscapular  region,  and  iniur 
Ncapulars,  black. 

Lenptb,  twenty-six  and  fift3'  one-bundredths  inches;  wing,  eleveti ;  tarsus,  one 
'iMii  oii;bty-four  one-hundrodths;  commissure,  two  and  ninety  ono-hundredths  inches. 


»:.2 

>-« 

■-^ 

l»-*J 

■  % 

n 

^4 

^ 

*' 

■» 

^ 

11 

*ac 

AUliough  this  species  i.'^  foiiiifl  on  our  coast  through  tlie 
aiitiiinii  and  winter  niontlis,  wlioro  it  lias  all  the  habits  of 
the  other  Sea  Ducks,  it  breeds  in  the  neighborhood  of  fresh- 
water lakes  and  streams  far  in  the  interior.  It  is  one  of 
the  most  abundant  summer  residents  in  the  lake  region 
of  Northern  Maine,  and  about  the  Umbagog  Lakes  and  Rich 
ardson  Lakes  it  is  the  most  conution  Duck. 

There,  in  the  top  of  some  tall  stump,  or  in  a  high  forked 
branch  of  a  dead  pine,  it  builds  its  nest.  In  many  localities 
on  the  borders  of  these  lakes,  the  spring  inundations  or 
some  other  causes  have  destroyed  whole  acres  of  gigantic 
hemlocks,  which,  standing  for  years,  become,  in  consequence 
of  the  bark  falling  oiT,  perfectly  smooth  and  diffic  ilt  of 
ascent.  When  such  trees  are  broken  at  the  height  of  thirty 
or  forty  feet  from  the  groiind,  leaving  a  jagged  top,  no  better 
nesting-place  can  be  found ;  because  it  not  only  seciires  the 
bird  and  eggs  from  the  attacks  of  prcdaccous  animals,  but 
it  guarantees  to  the  nest  a  perfect  security  from  any  iniuida- 
tions  that  may  arise.  This  nest  is  built  of  leaves,  moss,  and 
pieces  of  grass,  which  are  arranged  in  a  deep  layer,  on  which 
a  thin  covering  of  down  from  the  breast  of  the  bird  is  placed. 
This  is  hollowed  to  the  depth  of  two  or  three  inches,  and  it 
is  ready  for  the  eggs.  These  are  from  seven  to  twelve  in 
number.  Their  form  is  almost  always  exactly  oval.  Their 
color  is  a  pale  creamy-white ;  sometimes  a  little  darker, 
almost  a  very  pale  buff.  They  vary  in  dimensions  from 
2.80  by  1.80  inch  (Milltown,  Me.)  to  2.50  by  1.70  inch. 


LOr.Y. 


TIIK    IIOUUKD   MKKGANSEB. 


62y 


,t;  bond  nml  nerk  dioMiiut , 
-r  coverts  witli  a  tirmiiml  liai 
<ec(.niliirie3  entirely  toii.cul.Ml ; 

iWc  in  life-  "p"''  «"''  "'"""  *"' 
the  b..ilv  Keiicrnlly,  excoi.t  the 
l.cneatli!  Lower  part  of  l.acl<, 
,  iiitorscapiilar  region,  and  iiuur 

chcs;  wing,  eleven;  toraus,  one 
,1  ninety  onc-hundredths  inche«. 

,  our  coast  through  the 
it  has  all  the  habits  of 
I  neighborhood  of  fi'csh- 
)  interior.  It  is  one  of 
iits  ill  the  lake  region 
inbagog  Lakes  and  Rich 
Duck.  * 

imp,  or  ill  a  high  forked 
lost!    In  many  localities 
»  spring  inundations  or 
whole  acres  of  gigantic 
,  become,  in  consequence 
Ismooth  and  difficalt  of 
sn  at  the  height  of  thirty 
cr  a  jagged  top,  no  better 
.  it  not  only  secures  the 
predaccous  animals,  but 
lecurity  from  any  inunda- 
built  of  leaves,  moss,  and 
in  a  deep  layer,  on  which 
;ast  of  the  bird  is  placed. 
■0  or  three  inches,  and  it 
from  seven  to  twelve  in 
rays  exactly  oval.     Their 
..ctimes  a  little  darker, 
ary  in  dimensions  from 
to  2.50  by  1.70  inch. 


LOI'IIODYTES,  Keriiaht. 

Lophwlytet,  Keiciiaut,  Syst.  Av.  (1S62). 

Bill  Bliorter  than  tho  lioud,  black;  Bcrrations  coinprct'sed,  low,  short,  inserted 
(jl)li(iuely  on  the  edge  of  bill;  tlir  iioiiit  truncated,  aiul  nut  recurved  nor  acute;  tail 
more  than  half  the  wings;  tarsi  short,  half  the  feet;  head  with  a  iiuieh  eunipressed 
vertical,  circular,  and  erect  crest. 

Hut  a  single  species  of  this  genus  is  known  tu  naturalists. 


LOPHODYTES  CUCULLATUS.  —  ifcicAar*. 
The  Hooded  Merganser. 

Meri/us  cucullatiis,  I.innieus.  Syst>  Nat.,  1.  ( I'tiO)  207.  Wils.  Am.  Orn,  VIII. 
lit.  Niitt.  Man.,  II.  4ti5.  And.  Orn.  Hiog.,  III.  (1835)  246;  V.  019.  Jb.,  Birds 
An>.,  VI.  (184.3)  402. 

Li'jiliodj/ks  cuciilldtus,  Heichuil.     Syst.  Av.  (Ib52). 

Descuu'tion. 

Head  with  an  elongated,  compressed,  semicircular  crest;  anterior  extremity  of 
no.stril  reaching  not  quite  as  far  as  the  middle  of  cummissurc;  frontal  feathers  ex- 
tending nearly  as  far  as  half  tho  distance  from  lateral  feathers  to  nostril;  the  latter 
much  beyond  the  feathers  on  side  of  lower  mandible;  bill  shorter  than  head. 

Afatt.  —  Bill  black;  head,  neck,  and  back,  black;  under  parts  and  centre  of 
crest  white;  sides  chestnut-brown,  barred  with  black;  wliite  anterior  to  the  wing, 
crossed  by  two  black  crescents;  lesser  coverts  gray;  white  speculum  with  a  basal 
and  median  black  bar;  black  tertials  streaked  centrally  with  white;  iris  yellow. 

Female.  —  AVith  a  shorter  and  more  pointed  crest;  the  head  and  neck  reddish 
brown;  the  back  without  pure-black;  the  sides  without  transverse  bars;  the  white 
of  wings  less  extended. 

Length,  seventeen  and  fifty  one-hundredths  inches;  wing,  seven  and  ninety  one- 
hundredths;  tarsus,  one  and  twenty  one-hundredths;  commissure,  ouo  and  ninety 
eight  one-hundredths  inches. 

Ilab.  —  Whole  of  North  America. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  less  common  than  either  of  the 
other  Mergansers  on  our  coast  and  in  our  bays  and  inlets, 
ill  autumn,  winter,  and  early  spring.  In  the  summer,  it 
resides  in  the  interior,  where  it  breeds  by  the  lakes  ami 
other  bodies  of  fresh  water ;  building  its  nest  in  holes  in 
high  dead  trees,  or  on  the  tops  of  stubs,  thirtv  or  forty  feet 
from  the  ground,  exactly  like  the  Sheldrake.  The  eggs  are 
.i'om  nine  to  twelve  or  fourteen  in  number,  usually  about 
ten.  They  are  of  a  clear-white  color,  although  their  surface 
is,  in  some  specimens,  stained  by  the  moisture  from  the 

34 


530 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND  OOLOOY. 


fi: 


"3 


i 


8 


foot  of  the  l»ir(l.  Tlioy  arc  vury  tliii-k-sliolli.-il,  imd,  wlion 
struck  toj^etlior,  .sound  almost  like  balls  of  ivory.  Tlioy  aro 
more  spherical  in  form  than  the  eggs  of  any  other  duck  that 
I  liavc  seen,  and  are  l)ut  little  more  jxjintt'd  at  one  end  thiin 
at  the  otiier.  Their  dimensions  vary  from  li.oO  hy  l.T") 
inches  (the  longest  and  narrowest  specimen  in  a  large  num- 
Iter  in  my  collection)  to  2.10  by  1.80  inches  (the  shortosr 
and  broadest  specimen  in  th.e  same)  :  the  usual  si/o  is,  on 
the  overage,  about  2.1;)  l)y  1.70  inches.  I  am  not  aware 
that  any  nest  of  this  l)ird  has  been  found  south  of  Lake 
L'mbagog. 

When  the  nest  of  this  species  is  approached,  tiie  female 
lemains  quiet,  and  Hies  oU'  only  when  alarmed  by  blows  on 
tiie  trunk  of  the  tree  on  which  her  nest  is  built.  She  then 
dies  silently,  and  alights  in  the  lake,  near  which  the  nest  is 
usually  built,  and  watches  the  intruder  from  a  safe  distanO';, 
without  making  any  outcries  or  disturbance.  If  tho  tree  is 
surrounded  by  undergrowth  so  thick  that  she  cannot  sec  the 
intruder  from  tho  water,  sho  flics  silently  over  and  around 
him,  always  at  a  safe  distance.  Tho  male  never  shows  him- 
self oil  such  occasions;  and  I  think  it  likely  that  he  separates 
from  his  mate  at  the  commencement  of  the  period  of  in- 
cubation, and  remains  by  himself  until  the  young  are  able 
to  provide  for  themselves. 

When  living  in  tho  neighborhood  of  fresh  water,  this  bii'' 
has  many  of  the  habits  of  the  other  Mergansers,  and  then 
feeds  on  aquatic  insects  and  their  larva),  and  is  an  expert 
fisher  and  diver. 

When  the  female  is  suddenly  surprised,  while  with  her 
young  ill  a  stream  or  pond,  she  gives  a  guttural,  chattel  ing 
cry,  when  the  whole  brood  dives  and  swims  off  under  water 
to  the  shore,  where  they  conceal  themselves  in  the  aquatic 
herbage.  While  they  are  thus  retreating,  the  mother  simu- 
lating lameness,  almost  exactly  like  some  of  the  shore-birds 
on  the  beach,  flutters  before  the  intruder,  using  every  arti- 
fice to  decoy  him  from  the  neighborhood  of  her  young, 


LOGY. 


Tin:    IlMODKI)    MKUWANSKR. 


531 


i,.k-shcll.Ml,  iiu<l,  when 
Us  ..!•  ivoiy.    Tl.cy  aro 
of  any  other  duck  Unit 
,ointo(l  at  Olio  011(1  Uum 
xry  from  '^-oO  l>y  l." •"> 
cciuKMi  hi  a  hii'^o  uum- 
SO  iiiclios  0'"'  shortest 
i)  :  tho  usual  si/**  i'^i  on 
dies.     1  am  not  awaro 
,11  found  south  of  Lake 

approached,  th>!  female 
on  aUirmcd  hy  bhnva  ou 
nest  is  built.     Slvo  thou 
3,  near  which  the  nest  is 
idcr  from  a  safo  distant!, 
tiu-hance.     If  tlio  ti-ec  is 
jk  that  she  cannot  sec  the 
Aloutly  over  and  around 
10  male  never  shows  him- 

.t  nicely  that  he  separates 
lent  of  the  period  of  in- 
uutil  the  young  are  able 

d  of  fresh  water,  this  bir-^. 
or  Mergansers,  and  then 
larvai,  aud  is  an  expert 

surprised,  while  with  her 
vcs  a  guttural,  chattering 
,nd  swims  off  under  water 
themselves  in  the  aquatic 
treating,  the  mother  simii- 
CO  some  of  the  sliore-birds 
intruder,  using  every  arti- 
•hborhood  of  her  young, 


when  she  takes  wing,  ami  lli..-s  olf.     If,  liowcvf-r,  sho  bin.) 

sufficient   notice   of  tlif   approaeli  of  a   person    licfi.iv    l;i> 

readies  gunshot  slie  swims  rapidly  nil',  uiih  Inc  uli.i),.  I,r,„.,l 

puddlingbcliind  her, 

until    sbe    turns    a 

point    or     neck     in 

the  pond  or  stream 

where  she   happens 

to  be,  when,  silently 

creeping  into  sbore, 

siie,  with  her  brood, 

iiides  herself  in  the 

herbage  on  the  land 

until  the  danger  is 

past.      When   about    two-thirds    grown,   lliese  young   Mtu'- 

gansers,  like  tiie  young  of  most  of  the  other  fowls,  are 

excellent  eating.  They  are  called  "  Flappi'rs,"  beeausi!  of 
their  habit  of  lla]»ping  their  wings  on  the  water  to  aid  their 
escape  from  ])ursuers. 

This  species,  in  jiassing  with  its  young  from  one  brtdy  of 
water  to  another,  often,  while  flying,  carrii^s  them  singly  i/ 
its  mouth  ;  and  I  have  been  told,  that  even  after  it  has  buon 
shot  and  has  fallen  to  the  ground,  it  not  unfrequently  holds 
the  chick.  Mr.  George  A.  Boardman  informs  mo  that  the 
I'emale  of  the  Summer  Duck  often  cncroacljes  ou  the  nest 
of  this  Merganser  ;  and  he  once  witnessed  an  attem|»t  of  the 
latter  to  drive  the  other  from  her  domicile,  of  which  she 
had  taken  possession,  and  in  which  she  was  engaged  in  tho 
duties  of  incubation.  He  watched  them,  and  noticed,  that, 
when  the  Wood-duck  left  tho  nest,  the  Merganser  took 
possession  of  it;  and,  when  she  lei  it,  the  other  did  tho 
same. 


582 


OBNITHOLOOY   AND  OOLOOT. 


SUJ{-()UI)Kll  GAVIiE. 


Family  SULlD.i:.    The  Gannkts. 

Dill  rather  Innff,  straiKlit,  tides  coniprDRiieil,  very  atron)(,  tapering  to  ilio  point 
whicli  in  a  Utile  decurved;  noHtrils  hari'.ly  oljserviildo ;  \viii(?s  very  lont;;  tail  long 
and  c'liiieatei  lues  long,  and  ull  juiiiud  by  full  wulis;  giiliir  suu  iiiudurute. 


t.x'! 

.  ^  (.: 

'     '< 
;        I 

8 


SULA,   lliils.soN. 

Suh,  nmssoN,  Oriiith.  (17G0).  (Typo  Pttecunus  biiMiiiiiin.) 
Hill  rntlicr  Inn^'cr  tliati  the  head,  )<trai(;ht,  ntuut  at  the  huso,  with  llie  aides  coin- 
prcfiHed,  ({ri)()ved  near  the  tip,  which  is  a  little  curved,  the  cutting  cdKi's  HerratcMl 
irregularly;  noHtrils  bas.d  and  scarcely  perceptible;  wings  li'iigthi'Mcd;  tail  rather 
long  and  inucli  grr.duali'd;  tarsi  short  and  stout;  toes  long  and  joini d  IcigitliiT  'ly 
ftjll  wobs;     biws  nKidtrate,  the  middle  one  serrated;  gular  sac  rallicr  niodorali'. 

These  bircis  usually  frequent  almost  inaccessible  rocky  islands,  where  they  con- 
gregote  in  great  numbers  during  the  season  of  reproduction,  at  other  tinu'a  migrat- 
ing along  the  coast.     Their  flight  is  rapid,  powerful,  and  lung-ediitinued. 

SULA   BASSANA.  —  firhion. 

The  Common  Gannet ;  Solan  Goose. 

Pelecaniis  bnHsnnut,  Linnmus.     Syst.  Nat.  (1706),  217. 

Suln  bdMiinn,  Nuttall.  Slan.,  II.  (1834)  495.  Aud.  Orn.  I5iog.,  IV.  (18.38)  223. 
76.,  Hirds  Am.,  VII.  (1844)  44. 

Dkschiption. 

General  color  of  the  .  lumage  white;  bill  bluish-gray;  bare  space  around  the  eye 
and  on  the  thmat  blackish-blue;  primaries  brownish-black,  first  longest. 

AJuU.  —  The  color  of  the  plumage  generally  is  white,  the  head  and  hind  neeh 
being  of  a  fine  buft-velh)w;  alula  and  primaries  bro^vnish-black;  shafla  white  for 
about  two-thirds  their  length  from  the  base,  thence  gradually  becoming  dark-brown , 
bill  pale  bluish-gruy,  greenish  at  the  base,  the  lines  on  the  upper  mnndiblo  blackish- 
blue;  bare  space  in  the  region  of  the  eye,  and  down  the  centre  of  the  throat 
blackish-blue;  iris  white;  tarsi,  toes,  and  their  webs,  blackish-brown;  the  lines  of 
scutelliu  on  the  tarsi  and  toes  green;  claws  bluish-white.  The  fenuile  resembles  the 
mule,  but  is  rather  smaller.  The  young  have  the  head,  neck,  and  upper  plumage 
dark-brown,  each  feather  terminating  with  a  triangular  white  spot;  under  plumage 
grayish-white,  the  feathers  broadly  margined  with  grayish-brown. 


L<)(JY. 


nM. 


p;   GaNNKTS. 

rv  Mron,',  tnrcri..«  to  tl.o  point 
,l.lo;  wi'>K«  very  long;  tail  lo-R 
olis;  liulur  »uc  moderBte. 


t  at  tl,e  1..."".  with  the  Bides  corn- 
curved,  tl.-  ciltinn  ed«es  HermU'd 
,,e,v.in,sl....,.t--m.d;t«,l  rather 

tocB  lon^'   and  join. d  tuK.tl.er  Uy 
atedi  Rular  sac  r«tl,..r  .....derate. 

ible  rocky  i.la..«l^^v>>''™'l'^y/'""" 
reprod..ctio..,«totl.erti...e«m.grHt. 

Ircrful,  a..d  lo,.--e<...ti..ued. 


riv'im>n. 
iolan  Goose. 

AurOn,.BioK.,IV.(1838)m 


Tni:   rOMMON  OANNCT. 


ru\:\ 


I.enRlh,  ll.irfy-ticht  Inehen;  wiiitf,  nlnefren  tnd  flfty  nne-hni.'lri'dthit  tani,  t*ii, 
mid  twi'i.ly-l1vi<  f>ne-l..ii..lri'iltl.*;  lull,  Ipi.  itn  liei. 

llnli  —  Atlat.lic  iiiii»t,  .ill. II  I.aiTuilcir  (i>  ll.c  (i.ilf  of  MpxIpo, 

ri.i)  (iai.i.et  liree.U  in  iilii.n't  iiicri'dililti  nii...lior«  on  «iiii.f>  of  llto  pk  ky  |i|ai.d« 

port,   the  f'"n'<f  of  I.nhradnr.     Wln^n  the  hr lin;*  »i'a«cn  In  over,  it  wiiiidir*  ,n  t«r 

loi.th  ««  llie  (l.ilf  of  Mexie.i.  lu  ni.ule  of  lli;;l.t  is  powiTl'iil,  mid  i.t  tin.."  u'raieitd, 
Itn  fiMi.l  eiii.KMtjt  fif  llsl.,  |iri.icl[ially  liirriiiKHi  lliese  are  olitaini'il  liy  plun);!..^  in. in 
nn  hlKh,  often  rcii.aiiili.K  under  wnter  for  a  mlni.tn  or  ...uro  at  a  time. 

ri^IIlS  spccioH  is  (piito  common  on  our  i'();ist  in  tlii>  mitiinm 
J_    and  spring,  and  tlironjrh  tlio  groat.M'  part  of  tlio  winter. 
Audubon,  in  describing  its  l)recdinp;  habits,  says:  — 

♦•  TIte  nowly  finished  neat  of  titis  bird  is  fully  two  fcot  hijjh,  luid 
quite  ns  broud  rxtoniidly.  It  i.s  oomposod  of  seaweeds  luid  niari- 
tiino  "rassos,  tlio  fi)rnior  being  at  times  bn)iij,dit  from  roiisiderable 
distances.  Thus,  the  Gaiuiots  breeding  on  the  rocks  in  the  (lulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  carry  weeds  from  the  Mngilaleno  Islatids,  which  aro 
about  thirty  miles  distant,  '"lie  grasses  are  pidle.l  or  dw^  up  from 
the  fiurfaco  of  the  breedinu-placo  itself,  often  in  gi-eat  clods,  con- 
sisting of  roots  and  earth,  and  leaving  holes  not  miliko  the 
entrances  to  the  burrows  of  the  Puffin.  The  nests,  like  those  of 
Cormorants,  are  enlarged  or  repaired  annually.  The  single  ogg, 
of  a  rather  elongated  oval  form,  averages  3.,Jj  inches  in  length, 
hy  2  inches  in  its  greatest  breadth ;  and  is  covered  with  an 
irregular  roughish  coating  of  white  calcareous  matter,  which,  on 
bein"  scraped  off,  leaves  exposed  the  pale  greenish  blue  tint  of  the 
under  surface." 


Lh-grnv;  bare  opaoe  around  the  eye 
hush-biack,  fin.t  lo..sest. 
V  is  white,  the  head  and  hind  ne  k 
L  bro^vI,ish.black•,  shafts  wh.te  for 
„ce  gradually  becoming  dark-brown , 
incsonthot.ppermn..dibleblack.sh- 

nd  down  the  centre  of  the  thr.-a 
webs,  blackish-brown;  the  l.nes  of 
,h-white.    The  fe...ale  resembles  the 
.the  head,  neck.  a..d..ri'erpW« 
^iansnlarwhite  spot;  under  plumaga 

I  with  grayish-brown. 


534 


OBNITHOLOUY   AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  GRACULID^..     Tiik  CoRMORANrg. 


«2 


8 


IJill  ratlicr  modoriitc,  ciilmen  concave,  tip  mucli  hooked  and  acute;  nostril?  not 
pCKeptiblc;  wiiiff"  moderate  and  pointed;  tail  rather  short  and  rounded;  tarsi 
Bhort;  toes  lonf?  and  all  joined  by  t'ldl  webs;  gular  sat  capable  of  considerable 
expansion. 

GRACULUS,  LiSN.F.us. 

Grncvhif,  LiNx.r.fs,  Syst.  Nat.  (173.5).  (Type  Pelecinvs  cirrbn,  L.) 
liill  rather  slender,  of  moderate  lonffth,  with  the  culnien  concave,  hooked  at  the 
1  ■).,  the  sides  compressed  and  grooved ;  nostrils  not  visible  in  the  adult ;  wings  mod- 
erntcly  long  and  pointed,  second  and  third  primaries  longest;  tail  moderate  and 
graduated  at  the  end;  tarsi  short  and  much  compressed;  toes  long  and  full-webbed; 
a  leathery  pouch  at  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible,  which  can  be  much  distended. 

These  birds  exist  abundantly  in  all  parts  of  the  globe.  They  are  mostly  found 
cin  the  seacoast,  breeding  on  rocky  ledges  dilTicult  of  access,  and  also  on  trees. 
'I'hey  are  exceedingly  expert  in  catching  fish;  being  very  active  in  the  water,  and 
capable  of  remaining  under  its  surface  for  a  great  length  of  time. 


GEACULUS    C&R30.— Gray. 

The  Common  Cormorant. 

Phdhcrocnrnx  carbo,  Nuttall.     Man.,  II.  (1?34)  479.     Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III. 
(18S5)  4.')8.     lb,  Birds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  412. 
Gmcuhis  cnrbo,  Gray.    Gen.  of  Birds  (1845). 

Desckiption. 

Bl.iish-black;  feathers  on  middle  of  occiput  and  hind  neck  elongated;  gular  sac 
v'.llow,  at  the  base  of  which  is  a  broad  band  of  white;  linear  feathers  on  the  head 
and  neck  white;  a  patch  of  white  on  the  sides;  third  priman.'  longest;  tail  of  four- 
teen fetthers. 

Adult.  — riumngc  in  general  black,  glossed  with  greenish-blue ;  the  feathers  of  the 
upper  part  and  sides  ofthi  ..ck  and  wing  coverts  are  dark-ash,  with  bronzed  reflec- 
tions, and  bordered  with  g.i  inish-black;  primaries  and  tail  feathers  grayish-black, 
secondaries  grayish-brown;  bare  space  around  the  eye  duU-nlive,  under  the  e3'e  red; 
the  gular  sac  yellow,  encircling  the  lower  part  of  which  is  a  broad  band  of  white; 
numerous  linear  filamentous  white  feathers  are  distributed  over  the  head  and  neck; 
on  the  side,  over  the  thigli.  is  u  -^atch  of  elongated  linear  white  feathers;  upper  man- 
dible grayish-black,  witli  the  edges  yellowish-white,  lower  dusky  yellowish-white  at 
the  base;  iris  bluish-green;  eyelids  with  dusky  margins;  tarsi,  feet,  and  claws 
grayish-black. 

The  bill  is  strong  ar.d  powerful,  the  ridge  is  smooth,  but  the  sides  of  both  mandi- 
bles are  rugose. 

Length,  thirty-seven  inches;  wing,  fourteen ;  bill,  three  and  fifly  onc-hundreilths; 
tail,  six  a':d  fifty  one-hundredths  inches. 


LOGY. 


THE    DOUBLK-CRKSTKI)   COiniOIiANT. 


)3h 


.   CoRMORANrS. 

hooked  and  acutu;  nostrils  not 
thcr  short  and  rounded;  tar?i 
ir  sac  capable  of  considerable 


"c/fcrmMS  cnrbn,  \j.) 

ciilmcn  concave,  hooked  at  the 
visible  in  the  adult ;  wings  mod- 
ries  longest;  tail  moderate  and 
ssed;  toes  long  and  fuU-wehbed; 
,  which  can  be  much  distended. 

globe.  They  are  mostly  found 
It  of  access,  and  also  on  trees. 
ig  very  active  in  the  water,  and 
ength  of  time. 


Gray. 
ant. 
14)  479.     Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  III. 


il  hind  neck  elongated;  gular  sac 
rhite;  linear  feathers  on  the  head 
liird  priman,-  longest;  tail  of  four- 

greenish-bhio;  the  feathers  of  the 
[are  dark-ash,  with  bronzed  rcflec- 
and  tail  feathers  grayish-black, 
I  eye  dull-"Iive,  under  the  eye  red; 
If  which  is  a  broad  band  of  white; 
Iributed  over  the  head  and  neck ; 
[linear  white  feathers;  upper  man- 
je,  lower  dusky  yellowish-white  at 
margins;  tarsi,  feet,  and  claws 

looth,  but  the  sides  of  both  mandi- 

L,  three  and  fifty  one-hundretlthsi 


The  foma'e  resembles  the  male,  but  is  smaller. 

Ildb.  —  Labrador,  and  along  the  coast  as  far  south  as  Xcw  .lir^ov  in  winter. 

These  birds  are  abundant  on  the  coast  of  Labraibjr,  wIhto  large  numbers  assem- 
ble for  the  purpose  (jf  repn)duction,  foruiijig  tlieir  nests  u\)in\  i\u:  inaccessible  ledges 
(if  rocky  clilfs. 

Their  mode  of  flight  is  swift  anil  strong.  Their  food  is  .ibtained  by  diving  and 
pursuing  it  beneath  the  surliice,  where  tliey  make  rapid  progress  l)y  tlie  aid  ol  tlwit 
wings. 

THIS  species  is  pretty  common  on  our  coast  in  the  latter 
part  of  autumn  aud  during  the  winter.  It  is  not  gre- 
garious,  but  is  seen  singly  or,  at  most,  in  pairs.  It  is  shy, 
and  difficult  of  approach,  and  seems  ever  on  tlic  alert  for 
danger.  The  Grand  Menau  is  the  most  southern  breeding- 
place  of  this  bird  in  our  neighborhood.  There  it  builds  a 
large  nest  of  seaweeds  on  shelves  of  steep  clilfs  or  in  crev 
ices  of  the  rocks.  The  eggs  are  usually  three  in  number. 
They  are  of  a  bluish-green  color  which  is  covered,  over 
nearly  their  whole  surface,  with  a  calcareous  deposit.  Tlicy 
arc  of  an  elongated  ovate  form,  and  average  in  dimensions 
about  2.90  by  1.75  inch.  They  are,  in  their  various  sizes, 
impossible  of  identification  from  the  succeeding  species. 

GEACULUS    DILOPHUS.— OVn>,. 
The  Double-crested  Cormorant. 


Phnlncrocorax  diliplins,  Nuttall.    Man.,  IL  (1834)  4S.'3. 
(1835)  420;  V.  (IS.'iS)  G28.     lb.,  IJirds  Am.,  VI.  (1843)  423. 
Gracidas  dihphis,  Gray.     Gen.  of  Birds  (184.'j). 


Aud.  Om.  liiog.,  Ill 


DESCinPTION. 

Greenish-black;  behind  each  eye  a  recurved  crest  of  loose  feathers;  gular  sac 
orange;  second  quill  longest;  tail  of  twelve  feathers. 

Adult.  —  The  plumage  of  the  head,  neck,  lower  part  of  the  back  an<l  entire  under 
eurface  ia  greenish-black,  the  feathers  of  the  upper  part  of  the  back,  the  wing- 
coverts,  the  scapularies  and  tertiaries,  grayish-brown  or  dark-ash,  the  margins  of 
which  are  greenish-black;  primaries  blackish-brown,  lighter  on  the  inner  welis;  the 
secondaries  dark  grayish-brown;  tail  black,  as  are  also  the  shal'ts;  running  from 
the  bill  over  the  eye  is  a  line  of  white  filamentous  feathers,  —  there  are  also  u  ftw  of 
the  same  character  spar.'cly  distributed  over  the  neck;  behind  each  ej'c  is  a  tuft  of 
lathei  long  slender  feathers,  erect  and  curving  for\vards;  bare  space  in  the  region 
»f  the  eye,  and  gula'"  sac,  orange;  upper  mandible  blackish-bruwii,  with  the  edges 
yellowish;  lower  yellow,  marked  irr  gularly  with  dusky;  iris  brighl-greon :  legs, 
feet,  and  claws  black,  claw  of  the  middle  toe  pectinated. 


586 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY, 


,xi 


"^  f<j 


:3 

s 


Length,  thirty-three  inches;  wing,  thirteen;  tail,  six  and  seventy-flve  oiie-Lun- 
drcdths  inches. 

II(ib.  —  Atlantic  coast  from  Labrador  to  Carolina;  fur  countries;  Pacific  coast 
from  Washington  Territory  to  California. 

This  species  resorts  in  large  niinihers  to  the  low  isl.inds  off  the  const  of  Labrador, 
which  are  the  r  breeding  stations:  they  construct  their  nesta  on  tlie  surface  of  the 
rock.s,  not  on  the  shelves  of  precipices. 

I  once  witnessed  a  large  migrating  flight  of  these  birds  to  the  South,  along  our 
seacoast.  They  passed  in  great  flocks,  which  succeeded  each  other  frequ\.nMy  during 
the  entire  day:  each  flnck  formed  a  widely  extended  front,  the  individuals  being 
side  by  side.  Their  mode  of  flight  was  bj-  alternate  flapping  of  the  wings,  and  their 
sailing  for  a  short  distance,  the  eflect  of  which  was  peculiar  and  striking.  —  Georob 
W.  Lawrence. 

I  think  that  this  species  is  more  northern  in  its  habits 
than  the  preceding,  as  it  is  seldom  seen  on  the  coast  of  New 
England  except  in  tlie  winter  months,  and  then  only  in 
small  numbers.  Unlike  the  preceding,  it  does  not  breed 
sonth  of  the  coast  of  Labrador;  and,  in  nesting,  does  not 
frequent  high  precipices,  but  prefers  low  rocky  islands.  The 
nest  is  similar  to  that  of  the  other :  and  the  eggs,  although 
averaging  smaller,  are  hardly  recognizable  from  those  of 
the  Common  Cormorant;  an  ordinary  large  one  of  the 
present  being  of  similar  form  and  size  with  the  other. 


::i 


,OGY. 


THE   SKUA-<iULLS. 


Oo( 


lix  and  seventy-flve  one-him- 
;  fur  countries;  Pacific  cons\ 

lanth  off  the  const  of  Labrador, 
heir  ne?ta  on  the  surface  of  the 

birds  to  the  South,  along  our 
ed  each  other  frcqu.iMy  during 

.(I  front,  the  individuals  being 
flapping  of  the  wings,  and  their 
eculiarandstrildng.-GEOKOE 

northern  in  its  habits 
en  on  the  coast  of  New 
tths,  and  then  only  in 
ling,  it  does  not  breed 
d,  in  nesting,  does  not 
low  rocky  islands.    Tl\e 
and  the  eggs,  although 
guizable  from  those  of 
iiary  large  one  of  the 
ize  with  the  other. 


Family  LARIDiE.    Tuk  Glm-s. 

Bill  generally  shorter  flian  the  Iiend,  straight  at  tlie  l).\se,  ami  ni..ri'  nr  li><s  curvfil 
at  the  end;  nostrils  linear;  head  ovate;  neclt  short;  Imdy  rather  lull  and  innijiact; 
wings  long  and  pointed;  legs  of  ninderate  length,  struuLr,  and  covir.  d  antcri'irly 
with  transverse  scales;  feet  fully  webbod,  the  hiiul  foe  small  and  elevated. 

Birds  of  this  family  frequent  the  shores  of  the  ocean,  but  often  warnlor  to  great 
distances  from  land;  they  are  incapable  of  diving,  but  swim  butiyanliy.  Their  food 
consists  principally  of  fish  and  Crustacea;  but  some  of  the  larger  siuiies  feed  occn- 
sionally  on  the  flesh  of  cetaceous  animals,  and  devour  the  young  and  eggs  of  soiuo 
species  of  sea-birds. 

The  family  of  Larida  is  divisible  into  four  sub-families,  with  the  following  char- 
acters :  — 

T.KSTniDiN/K.  — Basal  half  of  upper  jaw  with  a  homy  covering,  distinct  from  the 
tip,  and  under  which  the  nostrils  open  considerably  beyond  the  miildle  of  the  bill; 
hill  ai)ruptly  and  much  decurved  at  the  tip;  tail  cuncate:  body  full,  stout. 

Laiun.k.  —  Covering  of  the  bill  continuous;  anterior  extremity  of  nostrils  gen- 
erally reaching  to  the  middle  of  the  bill;  culmen  considerably  decurved  towards  the 
tip;  body  robust;  tail  gener<illy  even. 

Stekm.v-T!.  —  Covering  of  bill  continuous;  nostrils  opening  in  the  basal  third  nf 
the  bill;  culmen  gently  curved  to  the  tip  of  the  lengthened  and  atteniuited  bill; 
oody  rather  slender;  wing  lengthened;  tail  usually  deeply  forked. 

HllYNCnoi'lN.,fi. — Bill  excessively  compressed,  like  the  bludo  of  a  knife;  Iowot 
iaw  much  longer  than  the  upper;  the  point  obtuse;  body  slender;  tail  forked. 


Sub-Family  ^•%?:TVLiD\'!XM. —  The  Skua  -  Gulls  ;  the  Jccgers. 

Bill  strong  and  much  curved  at  the  end,  the  base  covered  with  a  membrane  iij 
cere;  wings  lengthened;  tail  cuneate,  with  the  two  central  feather?  projecting. 

These  hardy  birds  inhabit  the  high  latitudes  of  both  hemispheres.  There  are 
four  Arctic  species  found  both  in  Kuropc  and  North  America.  They  are  piratical  in 
their  habits,  appearing  to  derive  their  subsistence  mainly  from  the  labors  of  others. 
They  chase  and  harass  various  species  of  Gulls,  compelling  them  to  disgorge  a  por- 
tion of  their  food,  which  they  dart  after,  and  seize  before  it  reaches  the  water. 


STERCORARIU.S,  Rrisson. 

iite.rcoraritis,  Brisson.    Omithologie  (1700). 

Bill  rather  strong;  the  culmen  straight,  and  covered  at  the  base  with  a  smooth 
cere,  the  end  curved;  nostrils  linear,  and  more  open  anteriorly;  wings  pointed;  first 
quill  longest;  tail  of  moderate  length;  the  two  middle  feathers  elongated;  tarsi 
strong,  and  covered  with  prominent  scales;  claws  sharp  and  much  curved;  feet 
fiilly  webbed;  hind  toe  short,  and  but  little  elevated. 


!-«    I'-' 

;  'T  ;  -  ■ 


>38 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


STBRCORARIDS    POMARINUS.  —  Tcmninck. 
The  Fomarinn  Skua. 

Lestrispnmnnmis.'SxiUiin.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  315.     Aud.  Itirds  Am.,  VII  (18441 

186. 

DEscniPTiox. 

Adult.  —  Ironf,  crown  of  the  hcnd,  back,  winps,  nnd  fnil,  Idackisli-brown;  sides 
mid  back  part  of  tlie  neck  brlfjli'-yi'llow ;  throat  and  entire  under  plumage  white, 
with  a  band  of  brown  .«i>ots  extending  across  the  upper  part  of  the  breast;  sides 
and  lower  tail  coverts  barred  with  brown  j  sliafls  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  white; 
bill  greenish-olive,  black  at  the  tip;  legs  and  feet  black;  the  middle  tail  leathers 
extend  beyond  the  others  for  about  two  inches;  they  are  rounded  at  the  end,  and  of 
a  unilbrm  breadth  throughout. 

Young  birds  have  the  plumage  of  the  upper  parts  blackish-brown;  of  the  lower, 
grayish-brown,  with  the  feathers  of  the  abdomen  and  lower  tail  coverts  margined 
with  dull-ferruginous;  tarsi  and  base  of  the  toes  and  webs  yellow. 

Length,  twenty  inches;  wing,  fourteen;  tail,  eight  to  nine;  bi'l,  one  ana  three 
quarters;  tarsus,  two  inches. 

THIS  species  is  not  uncommon  on  our  north-east  coast  ii) 
the  autumn  and  winter  months.  "  It  subsists  on  putrid 
and  other  animal  substances  thrown  up  by  the  sea,  and 
also  on  fish  and  other  matters  which  the  Gulls  disgorge 
when  pursued  by  it.  It  also  devours  the  eggs  of  sea-birds." 
It  breeds  in  the  Hudson's  Bay  country  and  other  northern 
localities ;  nesting  "  in  elevated  spots  in  the  marshes,  or 
upon  rocks ;  making  a  coarsely  interlaced  nest  of  the  sin-- 
vounding  moss  and  herbage ;  laying  two  or  three  very 
pointed  eggs,  of  a  grnyish-olive,  marked  with  a  small  num- 
ber of  blackish  spots."  —  Nuttall. 


STERCORARIUS   PARASITIC^US.  —  remmjncifc. 

The  Arctic  Skua. 

Lnrus  pnrnsiticus,  Linnjeus.     Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1756)  226. 

Stercorariiis pnrnsiticus,  Temminck.    Man.  d'Orn.,  II.  (1820)  796. 

Lcstris  Rkhardsonii,  Nuttall.      Man,,  II.  (1834)  319.    Aud.    Birds  Am.,  VII. 

(1844)  190. 

Description. 

Adult. — Upper  part  of  the  head  blackish-brown;  nape  and  sides  of  the  neck 
yellowish  -  white ;  remainder  of  upper  plumage  blackish -brown;  wings  and  tail 
darkt-r;  shafts  of  the  primaries  white;  under  plumage  white;  bill  bluish  at  the  base, 
black  at  the  point ;  tarsi  and  feet  black ;  the  central  tail  feathers  extend  beyond  the 


iLOOY. 


THE   GULLS. 


539 


_  Tcmninck. 

■ 

,.     Aua.«ir<lsAm..Vlt  (18U^ 


,  nnd  tnil,  1)lackisW)rown;  sides 
iml  out  ire  under  plumage  white, 

upper  part  of  tlie  lireast;  sides 
„f  quills  and  tail  leatl.ers  white; 

black;  the  miil.Ue  tail  leathers 
ey  are  rounded  at  the  end,  and  of 

rt.hlackish-l.rnwn;  of  the  lower, 
and  lower  tail  coverts  margined 
md  webs  vellow. 
:i,rht  to  nine;  bill,  one  ana  three 


)n  our  nortli-east  coast  in 
s.    "  It  subsists  on  putrid 
)wu  up  by  the  sea,  and 
rhich  the  Gulls  disgorge 
rs  the  eggs  of  sea-birds." 
ntry  and  other  northern 
pots  in  the  marshes,  or 
terlaced  nest  of  the  snr- 
ying  two   or  three  very 
arkcd  with  a  small  num- 


3US.  —  Temminck. 
ua. 

(1756)  226. 
•Orn.,  II.  (1820)  796. 
1834)  319.    Aud.   Birds  Am.,  VII. 


jrown;  nape  and  sides  of  the  neck 
e  blackish -brown;  wings  and  tail 
umage  white;  bill  bluish  at  the  base, 
itral  tail  feathers  extend  beyoud  the 


others  about  three  inches;  Ihcy  taper  slightly,  varying  but  little  iii  bnadtli  until  mar 
the  end,  vlicre  they  are  abruptly  iicuniinatcd,  differing  in  this  particular  finni  all  the 
other  species. 

Length,  twenty  to  twenty-two  inelie.s  wing,  thirteen  and  a  half;  tail,  eight  and 
a  half;  bill,  one  and  four-twelfths;  tarsi,  one  and  tliree-qiiarter  iuclies. 

Hob. — Arctic  America;  breeds  in  the  barren  Grounds;  coast  of  the  T'liitid 
States  from  New  York  northward. 

This  species  is  much  more  common  on  our  coast  in 
winter  than  the  other.  Its  habits  are  the  same,  and  its 
breeding-place  is  also  in  the  far  north.  Its  eggs  are  three 
in  numboi.  They  are  broadly  ovoidal  in  form,  and  much 
resemble  the  eggs  of  the  Laughing  Gull.  Tlioir  primary 
color  varies  from  a  greenish-drab  to  the  predominating 
olivaceous-green.  This  is  marked  with  spots  and  blotches 
of  varioiis  shades  of  brown,  thickest  at  tlio  greater  end, 
And  some  spots  of  obscure-purple.  The  dimensions  vary 
from  2.25  by  1.60  inch  to  2.18  by  1.54. 


Suh-FamUy  Lautn^..  —  The   Gulls. 

Bill  differing  considerably  in  strength  nnd  form;  generally  straight,  with  the 
sides  compressed;  the  culmen  straight  at  the  base,  with  the  end  curved;  nostril? 
lateral  and  oblong;  wings  long  and  pointed;  tail  usually  even,  in  two  or  three  cases 
pointed  or  forked;  tarsi  rather  strong;  fore-toes  united  by  a  web;  hind  toe  short  and 
elevated. 

ThOoO  birds  vary  much  in  size,  some  being  quite  small,  while  others  rank  among 
the  largest  of  marine  birds.  They  are  not  peculiar  to  any  region,  but  are  found 
abundantly  over  the  world.  Thej'  congregate  in  great  numbers  on  the  sand-bars  at 
the  entrance  of  inlets  and  large  bays.  In  winter  they  migrate  in  search  of  food, 
frp,[uenting  harbors  and  ascending  rivers. 

The  above  general  descriptions  of  the  habits  of  our  Gulls 
are  so  coiuprehensive  and  terse  that  I  will  add  nothing  at 
length  to  them  here.  They  feed  on  fi;ih  (which  they  often 
seize  in  their  bills  in  the  water),  various  aquatic  animals, 
and  dead  animal  matter  thrown  up  on  the  shores  or  floating 
on  the  waves.  They  attack  and  kill  wounded  birds,  and 
eat  them,  and  also  drive  aquatic  birds  from  their  eggs  and 


540 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


young,  wliicli  they  cat.     They  are,  in  the  water,  almost  pre- 
cisely what  the  Crows  and  Jays  are  on  the  land. 


LARUS  MARIJUVS.  —  Lintvmu. 
The  Great  Black-backed  Gull. 


ui 


n 


Larua  marlntu,  Litimcus.  Syat.  Nat.,  I.  (1768)  225.  Niitt.  Man.,  11.  (1834)  808. 
Aud,  Birds  Am.,  VIL  (1844)  172. 

Descimption. 

Adult.  —  The  hcnd,  neck,  entire  under  pliunnKe,  upper  tail  coverts,  and  tail 
are  pure-white;  the  back  and  wings  are  of  a  dark-slate  color;  the  primaries  are  deep 
black,  largely  tipped  with  white,  as  are  the  extremities  of  most  of  the  quill.s;  the 
bill  is  gamboge-yellow,  with  an  orange-red  spot  near  the  end  of  the  lower  mandible ; 
legs  and  feet  pale-yclIow;  iris  white. 

Younff. —  Head,  nnnp,  and  under  plumage  grai'ish-white,  with  streaks  of  light- 
brown;  back  and  wings  mottled  with  brownish-ash  and  grayish-white;  primaries 
blackish-brown,  having  the  tips  edged  witli  white;  tail  white,  spotted  with  brown, 
and  having  a  broad  subterminal  band  of  the  same  color;  bill  brownish-black,  yel- 
lowish at  the  base;  legs  and  feet  yellow. 

Length,  about  thirty  inches;  wing,  twenty;  tail,  nine;  bill,  two  and  ten-twelfths ; 
tarsus,  two-twelfths  of  an  inch. 

Ilab.  — North  Atlantic,  Labrador;  as  far  south  as  Florida  in  winter. 

The  Black-backed  Gull  is  of  frequent  occurrence  on  our 
coast  in  the  autumn  and  winter  months  ;  and,  according  to 
Mr.  George  A.  Boardman,  a  few  breed  as  far  south  as  the 
islands  in  the  Bay  of  Fundy.  Audubon  describes  its 
breeding  habits  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  nest  of  this  species  is  usually  placed  on  the  bare  rock  of 
some  low  island,  sometimes  beneath  a  projecting  shelf,  sometimes 
in  a  wide  fissure.  In  Labrador,  it  is  formed  of  moss  and  seaweeds 
carefully  arranged,  and  has  a  diameter  of  about  two  feet ;  being 
raised  on  the  edges  to  the  height  of  five  or  six  inches,  but  seldom 
more  than  two  inches  thick  in  the  centre,  where  feathers,  dry  grass, 
and  other  materials,  are  added.  The  eggs  are  three,  and  in  no 
instance  have  I  found  more.  They  are  two  inches  and  seven- 
eighths  in  length  by  two  inches  and  one-eighth  in  breadth ;  broadly 
ovate ;  rough,  but  not  granulated ;  of  a  pale  earthy  greenish-gray 
color,  irregularly  blotched  and  spotted  with  brownish-black,  dark- 
imber,  and  duU-purpie." 


LOGY. 


THE   HERRING  GULL. 


Gil 


the  water,  almost  pro 
n  the  land. 


iirueui. 

Gull, 
m.    Nutt.  Man.,  IL  (1834)  808. 


Ke,  upper  tail  corerts,  and  tail 
late  color;  the  primaries  are  deep 
mities  of  most  .>f  the  quills;  the 
ir  the  end  of  the  lower  mandible; 

yish-white,  with  streaks  of  light- 
ish and  grayish-white;  primaries 
>•  tail  white,  spotted  with  brown, 
e'  color;  bill  brownish-black,  yel- 

.11,  nine;  bill,  two  and  ten-twelfths ; 
1  as  Florida  in  winter. 

nueut  occurrence  on  our 
onths  ;  and,  according  to 
■ced  as  far  south  as  the 
Audubon  describes  its 


placed  on  the  bare  rock  of 
projecting  shelf,  sometimes 
armed  of  moss  and  seaweeds 
;r  of  about  two  feet;   being 
re  or  six  inches,  but  seldom 
xe,  where  feathers,  dry  grass, 
eggs  are  three,  and  in  no 
are  two   inches  and  seven- 
te-eighth  in  breadth;  broadly 
•  a  pale  earthy  greenish-gray 
d  with  brownish-black,  dark- 


LABUS  AEOENTATUS.  -  /Jranmch. 

The  Herring  Gull ;  the  Silvery  Gull. 

LPTUt  aryentitlus,  Briiniiich.     Orn.  I3or.  ;1704),  44.     Nult.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  804 
Aud.  Birds  Am.,  VII.  (1844)  163. 

Descruo'ioh. 

Adtttl.  —  Head,  neck,  under  parts,  rump,  and  tail,  pure-wliitc;  b:\ik  and  wiiitjh 
light  pearl-blue;  the  tirst  six  primaries  are  marked  towards  their  ends  willi  black, 
which  begins  on  the  lirst  at  aouut  half  its  length  IVum  the  end,  and  is  rapidly  les- 
sened on  the  others  until  it  becomes  only  a  subterminal  bar  on  the  si.xth;  the  pri- 
maries all  tipped  with  white;  on  the  first  quill  it  is  aliuut  an  inch  and  a  half  in 
extent,  crossed  near  the  end  with  a  black  bar,  on  the  second  quill  there  is  a  round 
while  .<pot  on  the  inner  web  near  the  end;  secondaries  and  turtiaries  broadly  eliding 
with  white;  bill  bright-yellow,  with  an  orange-red  spot  near  the  end  of  the  lowiir 
mandible;  legs  and  feet  flesh-colored;  iris  white. 

Young.  — Mottled  with  light  grayish-brown  and  dull-white;  primaries  blaokisli- 
brown ;  bill  brownish-black,  yellowish  at  the  base. 

Length  of  male,  twenty-three  inches;  wing,  eighteen;  tail,  seven  and  a  li:ilt';  bill, 
along  ridge,  two  and  a  half;  depth  at  angle,  thirtecn-sixteenths ;  tarsus,  two  and 
a  half.     Female  a  little  smaller  than  the  male,  but  similar  in  phimairc. 

Nab.  —  Atlantic  coast  from  Texas  to  Newfoundland;  Western  States;  Uliio  and 
Mississippi  Rivers. 

This  species  is  abundant  on  our  coast  in  the  autiunn, 
winter,  and  until  late  in  spring,  and  many  individuals  are 
seen  througli  the  whole  summer.     I  fbiiud  several  appar- 
ently breeding  about  the  Umbagog  Lakes,  in  Maine ;  and 
have  no  doubt  that  it  incubates  in  various  localities  in  New 
England,  both  on  the  coast  aud  in  the  interior.     It  breeds 
in  the  greatest  abundance  in  Labrador  and  otber  northern 
countries,  where  it  nests  like  the  preceding,  and  sometimes 
in  trees.    The  birds  wluch  I  saw  about  Lake  Umbagog  prob- 
ably had  nests  in  trees,  as  tliey  frequented  a  tract  of  deati 
pines  and  hemlocks  inaccessible  to  me  on  account  of  inun- 
dation, and  they  frequently  alighted  in  their  tops.     The 
eggs  of  the  Herring  Gull  are  so  dilferent  in  form,  color,  and 
markings,  that  hardly  any  description  can  be  intelligible. 
A  great  number  of  specimens   in   my  collection  vary  in 
form  from  abruptly  ovate  to  a  lengthened  ovoidal.     Tiieir 
color  varies  from  a  pale-cinereous  to  an  olivaceous-drab ; 
and  their  markings   from   thickly   spattered  blotches  of 


ORNITIIOLOGV    AND   OOLOCiV. 


I)lack  to  (liiTurcnt  browns  aud  obscure  -  purples.  Tbeir 
(liaiensions  vary  from  2.85  by  2.05  iucli  to  ^.t!.')  by  1.85 
inch.  Large  spcciiuens  of  this  sjiecies  canuot  bo  distiu 
guished  from  small  ones  of  the  precodhig. 


r.t] 


'^B 


-irn 


-^  4 
•^ 


8 


n 


J.  I 


CHROICOCEI'HALUS,  Eyton. 

Chrmcocephalus,  Eyton,  Cat.  Brit.  Birds  (183C). 

Bill  luuderiite,  rutlier  slender,  much  compressed;  upper  mandible  straight  at  base, 
more  ur  less  curved  at  the  end;  nostrils  lateral  and  l>in;,'itudin.il;  win;;8  lung,  nar- 
row, and  pointed;  tail  moderate,  usually  even;  tarsi  ratlicr  slender;  t'cet  webbed; 
hind  toe  small  and  elevated. 

These  Gulls  are  of  medium  or  small  sixe:  in  their  spring  attire,  the  head  ij 
clothed  with  a  dark-colored  hood;  but  in  the  winter  it  becomes  while,  with  u  dusky 
spot  behind  the  ear.  These  birds  are  very  handsome,  the  dark  and  light  colors  of 
'.heir  plumage  forming  a  beautiful  contrast. 


CHROICOCEPHALUS  ATSICILLA.  — /.awrence. 

The  Laughing  Gull. 

Larus  atricilla,  Linnscus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1760)  225.    Bon.  Syn.  (1828),  No.  294. 
Nutt.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  291.    Aud.  Birds  Am.,  VII.  ( 1844)  13tJ. 
Larus  ridiliundus.    Wils.,  IX.  (1824)  89. 


Adull. 


Dkscku'tion. 
■Head  and  upper  part  of  neck  blackish  lead-gray,  extending  lower  in 


front;  upper  and  lower  eyelids  white  j^ ostcriorly ;  lower  part  of  neck,  entire  under 
plumage,  rump,  and  tail,  pure-white;  ii'  spring,  a  beautiful  roseate  tint  exists  on  the 
breuKt  and  abdomen;  back  and  wings  {,rayish-!ead  color;  the  first  six  primaries  are 
ulat'k,  beginning  on  the  first  at  about  two-thirds  of  its  length  from  the  point,  and 
regularly  becoming  less  on  the  others,  until,  on  the  sixth,  it  is  reduced  to  two  spots 
near  the  end;  tips  in  some  specimens  white,  and  in  others  black  to  their  points;  bill 
aud  in.sido  of  the  mouth  dark-canniue ;  iris  bluish-black;  legs  and  feet  deep-red;  in 
winter  the  head  becomes  white,  intermixed  on  the  crown  and  hind  neck  with  brown- 
ish-gray. 

Length,  seventeen  inches;  wing,  thirteen;  tail,  five;  bill,  one  and  three-fourths; 
tarsus,  two  inches. 

Ilab.  —  Texas  to  Massachusetts. 


This  handsome  bird  is  a  resident  on  our  coasts  through 
thu  summer,  but  is  not  at  all  abundant.  It  nests  in  the 
marshes,  making  only  a  loose  structure  of  a  few  pieces  of 
seaweeds  or  grasses,  which  it  places  in  a  sandy,  elevated 
spot,  whore  the  tides  do  not  reach.  Tlie  eggs  are  three  in 
number.     Their  form  is  usually  ovoidal,  sometimes  ovate. 


ri.ATK    IV. 


euro  -  purples.     Tbeir 
ineh  to  -i.tM  by  1.85 
•eics  eauuot  bo  distiu 
leoding. 


upper  mandible  straight  at  base, 
d  longitudinal;  wiuKS  long,  nar- 
irsi  riithcr  slender;  Icet  webbed; 

their  spring  attire,  the  head  iJ 
!r  it  becomes  white,  with  a  dusky 
me,  the  dark  and  light  colors  of 


,A.  —  Lamrence. 

111. 

)  225.    Bon.  Syn.  (1828),  No.  294. 


ish  lead-gray,  extending  lower  in 
;  lower  part  of  neck,  entire  under 
,  beautiful  roseate  tint  exists  on  the 
id  color;  the  (irst  six  primaries  are 
I  of  its  length  from  the  point,  and 
l,e  sixth,  it  is  reduced  to  two  spots 
in  otliers  black  to  their  points;  bill 
h-black;  legs  and  feet  deep-red;  in 
e  crown  and  hind  neck  with  brown- 

il,  five;  bill,  one  and  three-fourths; 


Qut  on  our  coasts  through 
iindaut.  It  nests  in  the 
cture  of  a  few  pieces  of 
aces  in  a  sandy,  elevated 
Tbe  eggs  are  three  in 
ovoidal,  sometimes  ovate. 


Fig.  1 
2. 

,'■    3 
„     4- 


Herring  Oull,  Lnnis  argenlalii.s.    Frunnich. 
I,migliiiig  (iiill,  C/iroicorfphuliis  utrinlhi.     Limiicns 
Kittiwiike  (iull,  Itissa  triiliiclijlii.     Iloiiu|iiirt<' 
Wilson's  Tern,  Sleniu  Wilsunii.     Ilonii|iiirtH. 
Least  Tern,  Uterniifrenala.    (iainlirl. 


n 


9 


^r. 


8 


^     ,    V' 

BONAr.VUTK's  (iULI 


:>y.\ 


Their  color  is  iin  oliviicoous-dralt,  soiuoliiinjs  a  gruyi.sli- 
grccii.  This  is  covoruii,  inoro  or  loss  thickly,  with  hlulchos 
and  spots  of  dillbiont  shades  of  l)rowii  and  purplo,  and 
obscuro  markings  of  tho  sainu. 

Their  dinionsions  vary  IVum  2.2.S  hy  l.tj*)  iiii;h  t«>  '2  l»y  l."»i) 
inch.  Some  spocimons  have  nnnioruus  irregnlar  stn.-aks 
of  umbcr-brown  over  the  surface  at  tho  greater  end,  and 
others  have  large  continent  blotclies  of  the  same  color. 

CHROICOCEPHALUS   PHILADELPHIA.-  /--mcejue. 


Laitit  Bonapurtei,  Nuttall. 


Bonaparte's  Gull. 
Muii.,  II.  (1834)2'J.l. 


Ami.  liiiiU  .Viii.,  VII.  ;iM4) 


131. 


UKSCItlPTloN. 

Adult.  —  Head  and  upper  part  of  iieik  grayisli-bluck,  this  (.nlor  extcmliiit;  ruther 
lower  on  the  throat  than  on  tlio  iieek  brliind;  Icwor  part  of  neck,  iiiidir  pliiinii;^!', 
rump,  and  tail,  white;  back  and  wiii^s  cleiir  hhii-h-fjray ;  lirst  primary  black  on  the 
outer  web;  inner  web  of  the  lir.-tt  primary,  both  webs  of  the  second,  and  tho  outer 
web  of  the  third,  white;  the  inner  web  of  the  third,  and  all  the  other  primaries,  aro 
of  the  same  color  as  the  back;  the  six  outer  primaries  have  their  ends  blmk  for  tho 
extent  of  al)out  an  inch  on  the  central  ones,  but  less  on  the  lirst  anil  sixth,  —  they 
are  all  sliyhtly  tipped  with  white ;  shoulders,  anterior  Ijniders  of  the  » iii^'s,  and  outer 
webs  of  the  primary  coverts  wiiite;  bill  deep  black;  inside  of  mouth  caiininej  iris 
hazel;  legs  and  feet  orange,  with  a  reddish  tinge. 

Tho  young  have  the  head  white,  inteiinixed  on  the  occiput  and  hiud  neck  with 
dark-giay;  u  round  spot  of  dark-pluiubcous  behind  tho  eye  ;  the  snniUer  wing 
coverts  brown;  the  outer  webs  of  sev>  ral  of  the  primaries,  and  a  subtcrmiual  band 
on  the  tail,  black. 

Length,  fourteen  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  ten  and  a  half;  tail,  four  and  a  quar- 
ter; bill,  one  and  one-eighth;  tarsus,  one  and  five-sixtcunths  inch. 

Ilab.  —  Texas  to  Nova  Scotia,  Slississippi  Uiver,  fur  countries,  Pacilic  coast  of 
North  America. 

This  species  is  pretty  common  on  our  coast,  and  i.s  ol'ttni 
found  iu  the  neighborhood  of  largo  tracts  of  water  in  tho 
interior. 


RISSA,  Lkacii. 

Rissa,  Lbacii,  Steph.  Gen.  Zool.,  XIII.  (Ih-lo)  Iso.    (Type  Laras  tridacUjluf,  L.) 

Bill  rather  long,  strong,  and  much  compressed;  cuhuen  straight  at  base,  curved 

tiom  the  nostrils  to  tho  tip  ;   nostrils  lateral  and  longitudinal  ;   wings  long  and 

pointed;  tail  even;  tarsi  rather  short;  toes  slender  and  united  by  a  full  web;  him" 

toe  rudimentary  or  very  small. 


544 


UUNlTHOLUUy    AND   OOLOliV. 


n 

8 


SISSA  TRIDACTTLA.  —  BomiiHirU. 

The  Kittiwake  Gull. 

//ina  IrUtiitylui,  Llnnnua.  Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (17U0)  224.  Nutt.  Man  ,  II.  (1834) 
21*8.    Auil.  ltir(l«  Am.,  VH.  (1«<4)  UO. 

DhacHiiTioM. 

Adult.  — Uvn<\,  neck,  entire  uiultr  pliiinngc,  rump,  and  tail,  wliiiu-,  back  and 
win(,'s  li^l't  bluislin'i'V ;  tlie  lMul;^  <il'  llio  live  (inter  piiinaricn,  and  the  ontur  web  of 
llie  lirnt,  black;  the  limilli  and  tll'tli  have  !<niall  wliile  lijin;  bill  urecnisli  yellow;  irin 
reddihh-browu;  Ic^h  and  feet  bi(iwni.'<li-blttek,  with  a  j{rceM  tinge. 

Ymiwj.  —  The  bead  ia  white,  marked  ou  the  hind  head  and  lietk  with  bluixh- 
gray;  u  spot  of  the  came  color '  ir  the  earn;  a  narrow  orescent  of  black  III  front  of 
the  eve;  winf^s  and  hlioiilderH  i^  .rkcd  with  black;  primaries  black;  tail  white,  with 
0  Hubterniiiial  black  band;  bill  black;  rest  of  the  pluniajje  name  as  in  the  adult. 

l.cngtli,  about  seventeen  inches;  win^?.  twelve  ;  tail,  live  and  Ihree-ijuartent, 
bill,  one  and  a  half;  tarsus,  one  and  tliree-einhths  inches 

lliib.  —  I'lir  countries';  Labrador;  southern  coast  in  winter. 

This  Hpccics  is  not  coiiimoii  on  our  cotistH  tliroii<j;li  tiie 
Kununer  months.  Audubon  siiys  it  broods  as  far  soutii  uh 
tiio  ishind  of  (irand  Monan,  off  the  ontiauco  of  tho  Buy 
of  Puiidy ;  and  it  probably  also  incubates  on  othor  i.shuids 
off  tiic  coast  of  iMaiuo.  Tiie  nest  is  composed  of  sea- 
woods,  whio'i  arc  arranged  in  a  hirgo  pilo,  and  phiced  on 
a  lodge  of  rock  in  a  crevice,  or  on  a  jutting  shelf.  This  nest 
is  occupied  for  succesfivo  years  ;  and  it  receives  additions  in 
every  season.  Tho  eggs  are  three  in  number.  Their  form 
is  usually  ovoidal :  their  color  varies  from  a  creamy-drab, 
with  a  very  sligiit  olivaceous  tint,  to  a  delicate  gray.  On 
this  are  scattered  blotches  of  different  shadtis  of  brown, 
and  obscure  spots  and  blotches  of  lilac.  Of  these  eggs  — 
as  of  all  tho  eggs  of  Gulls  and  Terns — it  is  difficult  to 
give  descriptions  by  which  specimens  could  be  identified. 
The  above  description,  however,  answers  for  all  the  eggs 
of  this  species  in  my  collection.  The  dimensions  vary  from 
2.20  by  l.GO  inch  to  2.04  by  1.65. 


lUU  V . 


THR   MAUSII   TEIIN. 


64<) 


,  m.    Nutt.  Man.,  U-  ("84; 


in,  and  tail,  wlihc  \  back  ««■! 
rimarK-s,  aiul  the  outer  web  ot 

ii,,v,  bill  «•■««"'»'>  y'^iifw;  "■'• 

,„l  Ucua  aiul  ucck  with  Wulsh- 
,w  cre.wMU  of  bl.uk  ii>  front  ..f 
,,i,„arlo.  black;  tail  white,  wuh 
uinii«o  Hiuue  us  in  the  uilult. 
;  tail,  live  an>l  th..c..i.uirl..>'. 

iclif^ 

I  in  winter. 

)ur  coasts  thr»)Ufi;U  the 
breeds  as  far  soutit  as 
0  culiaiico  of   llie   13ay 
iuhiites  on  other  ishuuls 
St  is  composed  of  sea- 
go  pile,  aiul  plaeod  on 
titling  shelf.    This  nest 
X  it  receives  additions  in 
ill  nmnber.     Tlieir  form 
OS  from  a  creamy-drab, 
to  a  delicate  gray.     On 
u-ent  shades  of  hrown, 
lilac.     Of  these  eggs  — 
'^.i-ns — it  is  difficult  to 
JUS  could  ho  identified, 
iswers  for  all  the  eggs 
no  dimensions  vary  from 


Suh.h'(vulhf  SrKKMN.f.. —  Th  Tirni. 

Bill  rather  lonjr,  iiKiinlly  sl.nilcr,  strniKlit,  PiJinitini.vi  with  thf  lipixr  ninmlilil.! 
turvcd  at  thp  Up,  which  i»  acntcly  poinicil;  nnatriU  lintnr  and  pon'ioiisi  winK* 
I'lnnfjatcd ;  priiiiarirs  loiij;  iinil  pniiiti'd,  scconilarir«  i>(  nKHlirjili-  liMi,'lli;  IjiII  rntluT 
IniiR  and  in  most  ("iiccies  forked ;  (iir>i  dlciidcr;  miliTidf  liii.>«  have  their  «ili<  cniiir- 
({inntc,  hind  tnc  ►Miall!  rlaw^i  nuidi'viilc,  curved  and  acute. 

TheJ'e  liircU  are  iniistly  found  on  llic^  neaeoast  ami  nei;,'lilioriTi;;  liav*,  ocra-imiallv 
on  rivers  and  lakes:  they  aMsemhle  in  lar;;e  niiniliers  on  llie  -ami  bars  ami  points  at 
the  mouth  of  inleld,  are  much  on  the  winj,',  and  arc  reinarkahlu  for  their  bmiyanl 
and  eai>y  HiKht.  Their  food  connintu  of  mnall  tishcn  and  cru<itnci>a,  which  they 
obtain  by  hovering  over  and  suddenly  darting  down  upon;  alllioii;;li  they  thus  seize 
their  jirey  while  in  the  water,  they  oidy  oecnsionally  swim  or  n  st  iii'on  its  Rurface. 


STKKNA,  I.iNH.nus. 

Sleitta,  hlVH.Kva,  Syst.  Nat.  (174S). 

Bill  more  or  less  sfronjf,  about  the  lcn(,'th  of  the  head ;  the  upper  mandible  "lightly 
curved  to  the  tip,  wbieh  is  narrow  and  acute,  the  lower  strai>rlit,  with  the  imieliou 
of  the  crura  about  the  middle;  the  nostrils  lateral  and  lim'.ir,  willi  the  frontal  feath- 
ers extcndinj;  to  the  opcuitif;;  wiiij^s  long,  primaries  narrow  and  taperinj,',  the  outei 
quill  longest;  tail  rather  loiiff  and  more  or  loss  forked ;  tarsi  short;  tncH  !<inall  and 
slender,  with  the  webs  eniarginato;  hind  toe  short;  claws  sli^jbtly  arched  ami  acute. 


STERNA    AEANEA.  —  W'ihon. 

The  Marsh  Tern, 

Sterna  aranea,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VIII,  (ISU)  143. 

Slenn  Anglica,  Nutfall,  Man.,  II.  (1834)  209.  And.  Om,  Biog.,  V.  (1839)  137. 
lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VII,  (1844)  81. 

Deschiptios. 

Adult.  —  Upper  part  of  the  head,  occiput,  and  sides  of  the  head  npnn  a  line  with 
the  lower  eyelid,  black;  back  and  wings  light  bluish-gray;  primaries  hoary  on  the 
outer  wcba  and  ashy-gray  on  the  inner,  becoming  lighter  towards  the  base;  inn 
panie  color  as  the  back,  but  paler,  and  with  the  outer  feather  nearly  white;  a  line  at 
the  base  of  the  upper  mandible,  neck  in  front  and  entire  under  plinnage.  p\ire-whifc; 
bill  deep-black ;  iris  brown ;  legs  and  feet  black. 

Length,  thirteen  and  thrce-quarfers  inches;  wings  in  extent  thirty-four,  from 
flexure  ten  and  a  half;  tail,  four;  bill,  one  and  three-eighths;  tarsus,  one  inch. 

Ifnb.  —  Coast  of  the  United  States  as  far  north  as  Connecticut. 

I  include  this  species  in  our  Now-England  Terns  on  tho 
above  authority.  I  have  not  met  with  it  myself,  and  know 
nothing  of  its  habits.     Wilson  says, — 


546 


ORMTHOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY, 


5i 


■1  ;:• 


s 


"  'lliis  species  I  first  met  on  the  shores  of  Cape  3Iay.  particuhulv 
over  tlie  suit  uiarslies,  wliere  it  was  darting  duwii  iit'tcr  a  kind  of 
hirge  black  spider,  i)lcnty  in  sucli  i)laces.  This  spider  can  travel 
under  water,  as  well  as  above,  and,  du:'  ig  summer  at  least,  seenis 
to  constitute  the  principal  food  of  the  present  Tern.  Tn  several 
which  I  opened,  the  stomach  was  crammed  with  a  mass  of  these 
spiders  alone :  these  they  frequently  pick  up  from  the  pools,  as  well 
as  from  the  grass,  dashing  down  on  them  in  the  manner  of  their 
tribe.  Their  voice  is  sharper  and  stronger  than  that  of  the  Com- 
mon Tern ;  the  bill  is  differently  ibrmed,  being  shorter,  moi'e 
rounded  above,  and  thicker ;  the  tail  is  also  much  shorter,  and  less 
forked.  They  do  not  associate  with  others,  but  keep  in  small 
parties  by  themselves. 

"  This  species  breeds  in  the  salt  marshes.  The  female  drops  her 
eggs,  generally  three  or  four  in  number,  on  the  dry  drift  grass, 
without  the  slightest  appearance  of  a  nest:  they  are  of  a  greenish- 
olive,  spotted  with  brown." 

STEENA   CASnA.  —  r,tllas. 

The  Caspian  Tern. 

mmn  Cdsi'M,  Pnllas.  Nov.  Com.  Pctr.,  XIV.  GS2.  Lawr.  Ann.  1.3-0.  N.Y., 
v.  (1S51)  .37. 

DkSCIUI'TIO.N. 

Adult.  —  Forehead,  crown,  .sides  of  the  head,  and  occi|Hil,  black,  jjlosscd  with 
green;  tliis  color  extends  below  the  eye,  under  whieli  is  a  narrow  white  line;  I)aik 
and  wings  light  bluish-ash;  tlie  six  outer  primaries  dark  slate-gray  on  their  inner 
webs;  quill  shafts  stronjr  and  white;  tail  and  its  upper  coverts  grayish-white;  neck 
and  entire  under  iilinnage  pure  white;  bill  and  inside  of  mouth  bright  vermilion ; 
legs  and  feet  black;  bill  very  stout;  tail  not  deeply  forked. 

In  the  young,  the  back,  wing  coverts,  and  tail,  are  mottled  and  barred  with  black- 
ish-brown. 

Length,  twenty-one  and  a  half  inches;  extent  of  wings,  fifty-one;  from  flexure, 
sixteen  and  three-quar.ors ;  bill,  from  base,  two  and  seven-eighths;  tail,  six  inches. 

lliib.  —  Coast  of  New  Jersey  northward. 

I  include  this  species  on  the  above  authorit}'.  Its  habits 
arc  unknown  to  me. 


STEENA    WILSONIL  —  nnnaparle. 

Wilson's  Tern, 

Sterna  hh-undo,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VII.  (1813)  76.    Nutt   Man.,  II.  ;1834)  271, 
Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1S38)  74.    Jit.,  ISirds  Am.,  VII.  (1S44;  97. 


.OUY. 


WILSON  S   TKUN. 


.■)41 


f  Ci»ih;  May.  particuliuly 
„g  duwii  i>tUT  a  kind  <*f 
This  spider  can  travel 
•  summer  at  least,  seeni^ 
'csent  Tern,     hx  several 
m\  with  a  muss  of  these 
up  from  the  pools,  as  well 
,m  in  the  maimer  of  their 
n-  than  that  of  the  Com- 
,icd,  being   shorter,  more 
[so  mnch  shorter,  and  less 
thers,  hut  keep   in  small 

ics.  The  female  drops  her 
,er,  on  the  dry  drift  grass, 
St:  they  are  of  a  greenish- 


.  Pallas. 

In. 
V 


582 


.     Lawr.  Ann.  Lye  N.Y., 


and  occipul,  black,  slo^scd  ^^■.t  . 
hichis  a  narrow  wl.ito  line;  back 
,rics  dark  slate-gray  on  thoir  inner 

pnercoverts  grayish-white;  neck 
„s;dc  of  mouth  bright  venn.lion; 

forked, 
are  mottled  and  barred  with  black- 

.tofwings,  fifty-one;  from  flexnro, 
,„d  seven-eighths;  tail,  six  inches. 


ily 


)V 


c  authority.    Its  l^a^'Hs 


-  Ennapni'lt. 

,"3)70.    Nutt  Man.,II.;i884|2n. 
,VIL(1S44;97. 


DKsriiii'TiDX. 

y|f/H//.  —  I'ppor  part  of  the  head  and  hind  neck  dci-p-liln  k.  t'li-.d  willi  lirnvvn 
on  llic  trnnt  part  of  the  head;  back  and  win^'^  livilit  (,'rayi  Oi-liliic;  lirsl  primary 
witli  tlic  (inter  web  lilacU.  (in  llut  inm  r  web  f;rayi^li-Maek  iiexl  llie  shaft,  tbi>  color 
increasing  in  extent  towards  the  end,  where  it  covers  ihi'  entire  web  for  about  one 
inch,  rest  of  inner  web  white;  the  next  live  priniariis  are  hoary  on  tlicir  outer  weU*, 
und  blackish-Kray  on  the  inner  next  the  shal>,  occupying'  the  I'Ulire  web  at  the  end; 
niiir^;inof  tlie  inner  webs  white;  central  tail  feathers  very  pale  bluish-Kray,  the  olh(  rs 
while  on  the  inner  webs  and  dusky-gray  on  the  outer  weli«,  deepeniui,'  in  color  from 
the  central  feathers  until  it  becomes  black i>b-;,'ray  on  the  lalrral  ones;  sides  of  the 
heail,  throat,  rump,  and  under  tail  coverts,  white;  breast  ami  abilouien  clear  jiearl- 
gray;  bill  coral-red,  black  lu'ar  the  end  with  the  tip  yellow;  iris  liazel;  lij;s  and 
IVet  coral-red.  not  so  dark  as  the  bill;  claws  brownish-l)lack. 

Length,  fourteen  and  thrce-qimrfers  inches;  wing,  tea  and  three-i|uart(rs;  tail, 
five  and  thrcc-ipnirtcrs;  bill,  one  and  three-eighths;  tarsus,  three-((uarters  of  au 
indi. 

Ildb.  —  Texas  to  Labrador. 

This  i.s  by  far  the  most  coininon  species  we  have  in  New 
England.  It  breeds  in  groat  abundance  all  along  our  coast, 
both  on  the  beach,  on  the  maiidand,  and  on  tlie  rocky  and 
sandy  islands  olf  our  shores.  In  .sonic  localities,  it  is  so 
abundant  that  I  have  collected  in  the  space  of  two  hours, 
in  the  area  of  about  thirty  acres,  a  half-bushel  of  eggs.  In 
most  localities,  it  forms  no  nest,  but  drops  its  eggs  on  the 
sand  or  on  the  bare  rock.  On  tiie  island  of  Mnskegeet,  I 
found  that  it  invariably  scooped  out  a  Indlow  of  two  or  three 
inches  in  the  sand,  in  which  it  laid  three  or  four  eggs, 
arranged  them  with  their  small  ends  together  in  the  middle, 
and  built  around  them  a  loose  nest  of  seaweeds  and  grass. 
These  eggs  are  so  varied  in  color  and  markings,  that  no 
description  of  them  can  be  given  by  which  they  may  be  recog- 
nized. In  a  great  number  in  my  collection,  the  predominat- 
ing color  is  a  reddish-drab,  which  is  marked  with  numerous 
spots  and  confluent  l)lotches  of  different  shades  of  brown, 
and  obscure  blotches  of  cinereous.  Many  specimens  are  an 
olivaceous-gray,  with  the  same  markings ;  and  others  are  a 
ci'camy-buir.  Their  form  is  usually  exactly  ovoitlal,  and 
their  dimensions  average  about  l.oo  by  1.2')  inch. 

This  species  is  very  irregular  in  its  period  of  depositing 
its  eggs.     I  have  found  them  as  early  as  the  last  week  in 


.'',48 


ORNITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


May,  ami  a.s  late  as  the  12th  of  July.  I  have  seen,  in  IIk; 
space  of  a  square  rod,  eggs,  in  which  the  chicks  were  al)out 
ready  to  break  the  shell,  and  others  that  were  apparently 
but  just  laid  ;  and,  close  beside  them  both,  were  squatting 
young  birds  almost  fully  grown  and  feathered. 

AboTit  the  15th  of  June  is  the  j)eriod  when  the  eggs  of 
this  species  are  in  the  l)est  condition  in  New  England  lor 
cabinet  preservation ;  the  young  then  being,  as  a  general 
thing,  scarcely  formed. 

Early  in  October,  these  birds  begin  to  be  scarce  in  out 
latitude,  and  they  spend  the  winter  on  the  shores  of  the 
southern  gulf. 

SIEENA  MACEOUEA.  — Ar„u,nn„«. 

The  Arctic  Tern. 

Sterna  macroui  (J,  t^amniinn.     Isis  (1819,  1847).  i 

Sterna  Arctica,  Temm.     M.in.  tl'Orn.,  U.  (1820)  742.     Bon.  Syn.  (1828),  No. 

287.     Sw.  and  Rich.  F.  H-  A.,  II.  (1831)  414.     Nutt.  Man.,  11.  (18.34)  275.    Aud. 

Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  366.     Jb,  Birds  Am.,  VII.  (1844)  107. 

Description. 

Adult.  —  Upper  part  of  the  head  and  hind  neck  black;  back  and  wings  light 
grayish-blue;  first  primaiy  deep-black  on  the  outer  web,  dusky-gray  on  tlie  inner 
next  the  shaft,  and  over  the  entire  web  at  the  end,  inner  margin  of  inner  web  white; 
the  next  five  primaries  arc  bluish-gray  on  the  outer  web  and  on  the  inner  web  next 
the  shaft,  this  culor  extending  over  the  entire  web  at  the  end,  where  it  is  blackisli- 
gray  on  the  inner  margin,  the  remaining  part  of  inner  web  white;  central  tail 
feathers  and  inner  webs  of  the  others  white,  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  tail  feather 
blackish-gray,  the  outer  webs  of  the  two  next  pale  bluish- graj';  rump,  sides  of  the 
head,  and  under  tail  coverts,  white;  under  plumage  bluish-graj',  of  a  lighter  shade 
than  the  back;  bill  deepy-carmine ;  iris  brown;  legs  and  foot  dark-crimson. 

Length,  fourteen  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  ten  and  a  halt,  cil,  six  and  a  half 
inches. 

Hab.  —  Coast  of  the  New-England  States  to  Arctic  seas;  fur  countries. 

This  species  is  almost,  if  not  equally,  as  abundant  on  our 
shores  in  summer  as  the  preceding.  It  breeds,  in  our  lati- 
tude, in  the  same  localities  and  at  the  same  time  as  Llio 
other;  aud  its  eggs  are  so  exactly  similar,  that  any  descrip- 
tion of  either  is  impossible,  by  which  they  can  be  identified. 
The  only  method  that  I  know  of  to  obtain  authentic  speci- 
mens of  each  is,  either  to  visit  localities  in  which  either 


TUE   LEAST  TERN. 


")4!t 


species  is  Ibund  by  itself,  or  to  wait  until  late  in  ilu.'  season. 
and,  after  finding  a  nest,  observe  carefully  the  liird  that 


rcticseas;  fur  countrios. 

ally,  as  abundant  on  om- 
it breeds,  in  our  lati- 
t  the  same  time  as  ll-.o 
imilar,  that  any  descrip- 
jh  they  can  bo  identified, 
obtain  aiithentic  speci- 
jcalities  in  which  either 


It  is 


a  wfll-kiiown   lii.liil 


hovers  over  it,  and  slK)ot  her. 
of  these  species  to  hover  over 
their  eggs  after  being  driven 
from  them  :  but  this  is  generally 
confined  to  the  close  of  the  sea- 
son of  incubation,  or  very  dark 
or  wet  weather ;  and  the  student, 
to  avail  himself  of  it,  must  be 
on  the  spot  at  the  proper  time. 
The  moment  a  person  approach- 
es one  of  their  bi-eeding  places, 
the  whole  colony  leave  their  eggs 
or  young,  and  fly  to  meet  the 
intruder.  I  have  been  on  an 
island  of  not  more  than  thirty 
acres  area,  where  thousands  of 
these  birds  of  both  species,  and  also  the  following,  were 
breeding  ;  and  their  cries,  ^krce  ^kree  Icree.  were  so  loud  that 
my  companions  within  twenty  feet  of  me  had  to  shout  at 
their  loudest  to  make  their  words  intelligible. 

The  Arctic  Tern,  like  all  the  others,  leaves  its  eggs  in 
warm  sunny  days  for  several  hours,  depending  on  the  sun 
to  assist  in  incubation.  When  one  bird  is  shot,  the  others, 
instead  of  flying  off,  only  redouble  their  outcries,  darting 
down  at  the  intruder  within  a  few  feet  of  his  head  ;  and  the 
noise  and  confusion  are  so  great,  that  one  is  almost  bewil- 
dered, and  can  hardly  keep  his  wits  about  him  sufficiently 
to  secure  and  properly  identify  his  specimens. 

STEBNA  FEENATA.— Go«iit(. 

The  Least  Tern. 

Sterna  vunula,  Wilson.  Am.  Om.,  VII.  (1813)  80.  Ami.  Orn.  Biog.,  IV.  (188S 
176.     Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  VII.  ( 1844)  119. 

Sti-rna  aryenhn,  Nuttiill     Man.,  II.  (1834)  380. 


i'yBO 


OUNITHOLOCY   AND   OOLOGY. 


<  »-l 

is 


Descbiption. 

Adult.  —  On  tlie  foruliead  iit  a  tiiuiif;ulur  white  spot  extending;  to  the  eye;  crown 
occiput,  and  a  line  from  the  eye  to  the  upper  niundil)lc,  deep-blaelc;  entire  uppei 
plumage  and  wings  clear  bluish  griiy ;  first  two  primaries  with  the  outer  weh  and 
haM'  the  inner  next  the  shaft,  gniyish-black,  ends  of  the  same  color,  inner  margins 
white,  the  shafts  of  these  tw.i  quills  are  black  j  the  other  ])rinniries  same  color  as  the 
back,  with  the  inner  niargirs  white;  tail  same  color  as  th.;  back,  except  the  outer 
margin  of  the  exterior  teath  r,  and  the  inner  webs  of  the  others  at  the  base,  where 
they  are  white;  entire  under  plumage  silvery-white;  bill  pale  orauge-ycUow;  iri? 
hazel ;    legs  and  feet  light  ori.nge-red. 

Length,  eight  and  three-quarters  inches;  wing,  six  and  three-quarters;  tail,  three 
and  a  half  inches. 

Ilidi.  —  Texas  to  Labrador;  v/estern  rivers. 

This  liandsorae  little  bird  is  of  similar  habits,  and  is 
almost  as  abundant  as  the  preceding.  It  breeds  in  the  same 
localities,  and,  like  the  others,  nests  on  the  beach  or  bare 
rocks.  The  eggs  are  three  in  nnmber.  They  are  a  rounded 
ovoidal  in  form,  and  a  grajish-cream  tint  in  color :  they  are 
marked  with  spots  and  confluent  blotches  of  ditTerent  shadoi. 
of  brown  and  obscure-lilac,  and  vary  in  dimensions  from 
1.25  by  .90  inch  to  1.15  by  ,91  inch.  A  large  numl)er  of 
specimens  from  both  the  Southern  and  Northern  States 
exhibit  no  appreciable  diiference  either  in  size  or  markings. 

HYDROCHEMDON,  Boik. 

Hydrochelidon,  BoiE,  Isis  (1822),  563. 

Bill  rather  short,  strong,  the  upper  mandible  curving  slightly  to  the  tip;  nostrils 
basal,  lateral,  and  longitudinal,  the  frontal  feathers  reaching  nearly  to  the  opening; 
wings  very  long  and  pointed;  tail  moderate  and  emarginate;  legs  short;  the  ante- 
rior toes  slender,  with  the  webs  deeply  indented;  hind  toe  small;  claws  slender  and 
acute. 


HYDROCHELIDON  PLUMBEA.  —  Wilson. 

The  Short-tailed  Tern. 

Sterna plumbea,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VIL  (1813)  83. 

Sterna  niora,  Nuttall.     Man.,  IL  (1834)  282.    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1S35)  5-35; 
V.  (1639)  642.    Jb.,  Birds  Am.,  VIL  (1844)  116. 

Description. 
Adult.  — Ucad,  neck,  breast,  sides,  and  abdomen,  black;  lower  tail  coverts  white; 
under  covering  of  wings  ashy-gray;  back  and  wings  dark  plumbeous-grny;  the 


)GY. 


THE   SHORT-TAILKD   TKIIX. 


:.:,l 


BXtendiugtothoeye;  crown 
l,le,  deep-black;  entire  uppei 
arics  with  the  outer  wel)  ami 
lie  same  color,  inner  margins 
ur  prinuiries  same  color  as  the 
as  the  back,  except  the  outer 
■  the  others  at  the  ba?e,  where 
bill  pale  orauge-yellow;  iri? 

and  three-quarters;  tail,  three 


imilar  habits,  and  is 
It  breeds  in  the  same 

ou  the  beach  or  bare 
They  are  a  rounded 

tint  in  color :  they  are 

ches  of  different  shades. 

•y  in  dimensions  from 

>.     A  large  numV)er  of 
and   Northern   States 

[er  in  size  or  markings. 

!OIF.. 


.inR  slightly  to  the  tip;  nostrils 
[reaching  nearly  to  the  opening; 
marginate;  legs  short;  the  ante 
lind  toe  small;  claws  slender  and 


.  —  Wilson. 


83. 
Lud.  Om.  Biog.,  III.  (183J)  535; 


L,  black ;  lower  tail  coverts  white; 
[ings  dark  plumbeous-gray;  the 


llrst  four  primaries  grayish-blaik,  with  llicir  >luirts  wliiti  ;  lieml  of  the  wiiiLC  iil^'ed 
with  white;  tail  same  color  as  the  back  ;  liill  '.Mowni-li-lilmk;  irisbnjwn;  legs  uml 
feet  reddisli-brown. 

}'()««</.— ISaek,  wings,  1111(1  tail,  linht-].liiiiilH(iiis,  wjili  tlir  I'calliers  i,!' the  b;ii  k 
margined  with  brown;  top  ai  llic  licad  jind  around  the  eye  browni^h-black ;  Ir.m' 
and  tinder  plumage  white;   tail  short,  and  but  slightlv  forked. 

Length,  nine  and  a  half  ineliea;  wing,  eight  and  a  lialf;  tail,  three  and  a  li.ili 
inches. 

Ilab.  —  Texas  to  the  Ncw-Kngland  States,  JIis>i-si|.|pi  l;iver,  and  triliutaries;  li.i 
couc'iics. 

This  species  is  inchided  on  the  aliovc  authority.  Wilson 
describes  its  hal)its  as  follows  :  — 

"  I  examined  upwards  of  thirty  iiKlividuiils  of  this  .spucit's  liv 
dissection,  and  found  both  sexes  alike  in  color.  Thi'ir  .stonmclis 
contained  grasshoppers,  crickets,  spiders,  &C.,  lait  no  fish.  TIk! 
people  on  tlie  seacoast  inform  me,  thtit  this  bird  comes  to  them 
only  in  the  fall,  or  towards  the  end  of  summer,  iuid  Is  more  fre- 
quently seen  about  the  mill-ponds  and  fresh-water  uiiirshes  thun 
in  the  bays ;  and  add,  that  it  feeds  on  grasshoppers  and  other 
insects,  which  it  finds  on  the  metulows  and  niiir.shes,  picking  them 
from  the  grass,  as  well  as  from  the  surface  of  the  water.  Tluv 
have  never  known  it  to  associate  with  the  Lesser  Tern,  and 
consider  it  altogether  a  different  bird.  This  opinion  seems  con- 
firmed by  the  above  circumstances,  and  by  the  f;i(;t  of  its  greater 
extent  of  wing,  being  full  three  inches  widei  than  the  Lesser 
Tern,  and  also  making  its  appearance  after  the  others  htive 
gone  off." 

Audubon  describes  the  bird  as  placing  its  nest  on  tlie  toj) 
of  a  brolcen  tussock  of  the  rankest  grasses,  of  which  tlic  fal)ric 
is  itself  composed ;  it  is  of  a  flatfish  form,  and  about  two 
inches  thick.  It  is  enlarged  or  renewed  every  year,  some 
nests  being  found  to  be  from  four  to  six  iiiclies  in  height. 
Tlie  eggs,  laid  early  in  June,  are  four  in  numl)er,  1|  by  1 
inch  iu  dimensions,  and  are  of  nearly  an  elliptical  form, 
being  but  sliglitly  pointed  at  one  end :  their  ground-color  i.-i 
trrcenish-buff,  si)otted  and  dashed  with  reddish-umber  and 
black,  more  abundantly  towards  the  middle. 


oo2 


ORNITHOLOGY   AND   OOLOCV. 


Family  PROCELLARIDiE,    The  Petrels, 


rrJ 


"S 


8 


IJill  more  or  less  lengtlicned,  compressed,  and  dec-fly  grooved,  appearing  to  be 
f.j.nied  of  several  distinct  parts;  the  tip  is  strong,  much  hooked,  and  acute;  the  nos- 
trils open  from  distinct  tubes,  either  single  or  double,  and  are  situated  at  the  base  of 
the  upper  mandible. 

All  the  birds  embraced  in  this  family  are  strictly  oceanic,  some  of  the  puialler 
species  only  being  observed  in  bays  near  the  ocean  during  or  after  a  storm.  They 
vary  greatly  in  size,  .some  being  quite  diminutive,  while  others  are  equal  in  dimen- 
sions to  the  largest  known  birds  of  flight. 

Two  sub-families,  namely,  Diomedtmie  and  Proctllannw,  constitute  this  family, 
the  distinguishing  characters  of  which  are  as  follows  :  — 

DiOMEDKiN.K.  —  Bill  very  strong,  curved,  and  acute  at  the  end;  nostrils  short, 
tubular,  and  situated  on  the  sides  of  the  upper  mandible  near  the  base. 

I'liociXLAHiN.i;.  —  Bill  more  or  less  strong,  curved  at  the  end,  and  pointed; 
nostrils  tubular,  situated  on  the  culmen,  near  the  base,  and  opening  forwards. 


Suh-Family  Procellauinje.     The   True  Petrels. 

The  bill  more  or  less  strong,  compressed,  tip  much  hooked  and  pointed ;  the  nos- 
trils tubular,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  and  situated  on  the  basal  part  of  the  culmen; 
generally  of  medium  or  small  size,  wandering  in  their  habits,  and  capable  of  sus- 
taining themselves  on  wing  for  a  great  length  of  time. 


THALASSIDROMA,  Vigors. 

7'<'(f(fa«s/(/roma,  Vigors,  Zool.  Jour.  (1825). 

Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  slen<ler  and  weak,  the  tip  curved  and  acute,  the  sides 
compressed  and  moderately  grooved;  nostrils  at  the  base  of  the  culmen  tubular 
and  prominent;  wings  long  and  narrow,  the  second  quill  longest;  tail  forked  or 
cmarginate;  legs  slender  and  very  long;  tibia  bare  for  a  considerable  space;  ante- 
rior toes  rather  short  and  slender,  united  by  an  indented  web;  a  short  spur  in  place 
of  the  hind  toe. 

THALASSIDSOMA    LEACHII.  —  .Sonoparfe. 

Leach's  Petrel. 


Procellaria  Leachii,  Temm.    Jlan.,  II.  (1820)  812. 
Thnlassidroma  Leachii,  Niittall.    Man.,  II.  (1834)  326. 
(IS?R)  434.    lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VII.  (1844)  219. 


Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IIL 


«r      '">• 


k;y. 


WILSON'S   STORMY    I'KTUEL. 


^■-.y 


0.)i 


fuE  Petrels. 


ply  grooved,  appearing  to  b« 
I,  hooked,  and  acute;  the  no»- 
ind  arc  BiUuited  at  the  base  of 

,  oceanic,  some  of  the  Mualler 
irini,'  or  after  a  storm.  'Ihcy 
ile  others  are  equal  in  dimen- 

llanniE,  constitute  this  family, 

ute  at  the  end;  nostrils  short, 
hie  near  the  base, 
rved  at  the  end,  and  pointed-, 
Mse,  and  opening'  forwards. 

rhe   True  Petrels. 

h  hooked  and  pointed;  the  nos- 
onthe  basal  part  of  the  culmen; 
eir  habits,  and  capable  of  bus- 


G0R8. 

tip  curved  and  acute,  the  sides 
le  base  of  the  culmen  tubular 
,d  quill  longest;  tail  forked  ot 
for  a  considerable  space;  ante- 
ntedwebjashortspur  in  place 

_  Bonaparte. 


2* 

54)  826.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  HL 


DE.SCllirT10.N. 

The  plumage  generally  is  sooty-hrown,  darker  on  the  crown;  |Timarieg  and  tail 
hrownisli-black;  wing  coverts  and  inner  secondaries  ashy-gray;  nnnp,  feather.)  of 
the  sides  adjoining  it,  and  outer  lowjr  tail  coverts,  white;  bill  black;  ir's dark-brown; 
tarsi  and  feet  black. 

The  female  differs  only  in  being  rather  smaller. 

This  is  larger  than  Wilson's  Petrel,  and  has  a  much  stronger  bill;  it  may  be 
readily  known  from  it  by  its  forked  tail,  and  the  interdigital  webs  being  entirely 
black. 

Length,  eight  inches;  wing,  six  and  a  half;  tail,  three;  bill,  two-tliirds  of  an 
inch;  tar.-ns,  one  inch. 

THIS  species  is  the  most  abundant  of  our  Petrels.  It  is, 
in  fact,  the  only  one  that  breeds  here ;  and  all  others 
may  be  regarded  as  wanderers.  About  the  funt  week  in 
June,  in  the  latitude  of  the  islands  on  the  north-eastern  coast 
of  Maine,  it  pairs.  Breeding  in  communities,  it  soon  beghis 
its  nest.  This  is  composed  of  weeds,  short  grasses,  and 
small  pebbles,  which  arc  arranged  in  a  flat  structure,  at  the 
end  of  a  burrow  constructed  by  the  birds,  or  in  the  fissures 
and  crevices  of  rocks  on  the  islands  off  our  northern  coast. 
In  this  a  single  egg  is  deposited,  which  is  of  a  pure-white 
color,  with  an  obscure  lilac  ring  around  one  end,  consisting 
of  fine  confluent  dots.  It  is  nearly  oval  in  form,  and 
averages  in  dimensions  about  1.30  inch  in  length  and  .96 
Mich  in  breadth.  A  large  number  of  specimens  in  my  col- 
lection exhibit  a  variation  of  from  1.35  to  1.24  inch  in 
length,  and  from  1  inch  to  .80  inch  in  breadth.  Those  eggs 
soon  become  discolored  and  dirty,  from  the  nature  of  the 
nest  and  the  habits  of  the  bird ;  but  originally  they  are  pure- 
white.  Their  shell  is  exceedingly  fragile,  and  a  little  rough 
to  the  touch,  like  that  of  the  eggs  of  all  birds  of  this  class. 

THALASSIDEOMA  VflLSOmi.  —  fionapa}  u. 
Wilson's  Stormy  'etreL 

ProceUanapelaffica,  Wilson.    Am.  Orn.,  VIL  (1808)  90. 

Thalasddrona  Wilsmiii,  Bonaparte.  Syn.  (1828),  No.  308.  Nutt.  Man  ,  II. 
il-!34)  S"'  -  "Tn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  486;  V.  (1839)  646.  lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VIL 
(1844 

0.c...ii-^v  iVilaonii,  Bonaparte.    Cons.  Av.  II.  (1855)  199. 


554 


OUMTHOLOOY   AND   OOLOGV. 


n 
■■«; 
•4 


<-4 


DESrilll'IKlN. 

Tli«  j;i'iieral  color  of  tl.c  [limiiagi:  is  ;lark  s.Hi|y-liri)uii:  priiiisvrids  niiil  mil  blnik- 
ish-browii,  the  la'tur  wliitf  at  tliu  bust';  soiiiu  of  llic'  outtr  neioiulaiiis  and  the 
Mcondary  tovurts  grayisli-ush,  eiidint;  witli  tjrayisli-wliite;  iiuiii),  sidc.t  of  tin-  abilo- 
men  and  txliiidr  lower  tail  invfrts,  white;  bill  black;  iria  dark-brown;  tar>i  and 
feet  black,  '.villi  tlr;  webs  yellow  except  ut  the  niart;in. 

Tlii"  f\w<  '.es  is  somewhat  smaller  than  T.  Liticliii,  and  more  delicate  in  form;  the 
I'li'i  ■■  )iui.n  weaker:  it  may  readily  be  distin.,;iii<hed  by  the  ^jreater  proiiorlion  of 
nii!-  iU  ;'  .;  'iider  lad  coverts  and  on  the  siile.i  at  the  base  of  the  tail,  to^jcaher  «ilh 
it',     rich  1(  iij.   •■  tarsi  and  yellow  webs;  tail  neirly  even. 

i  .igth,  sex  •  .'id  ono-fbuith  inches;  wing,  six;  tail,  thrce-fiiiarler.f ;  bill,  seven- 
twelfths  incli;  lii'    .-,  one  and  three-eighths  inch. 

//aZi.  —  Oil'  the  Atlantic  eoah.t  Irom  the  Gulf  of  JFexico  to  Baffin's  Hay. 

This  species  is  rare  on  our  coast,  aiul,  to  my  knowledge, 
does  not  lirced  within  the  limits  of  New-England  shores. 
Aiidubon  says, — 

"  Wilson's  Petrel  breeds  on  some  small  islands  sitnated  off  the 
southern  extremity  of  Nova  Scotia,  called  'Mud  Islands,' but  which 
are  formed  of  sand  and  light  earth,  scantily  covered  with  grass. 

Thither  the  birds  re- 
sort in  great  numbers 
about  the  begiiming  of 
June,  and  form  bur- 
rows of  the  depth  of 
two  or  two  and  a  half 
feet,  in  the  bottom  of 
which  is  laid  a  single 
white  egg ;  a  few  bits 
of  dry  grass,  scarcely 
deserving  the  name  of 
a  nest,  having  been  placed  for  its  reception.  The  egg  measures  an 
inch  and  a  half  in  length  by  seven-eighths  of  an  inch  in  breadth  ; 
is  almost  equally  rounded  aJ  both  ends.  .  .  .  On  wing,  this 
species  is  more  lively  llian  the  Forked-tailed,  but  less  so  than  the 
common  Stormy  Petrel.  Its  notes  are  different  from  that  of  the 
Forked-tailed  Petrel,  and  resemble  the  syllables  kee-re-lcee-kec. 
They  are  more  frequently  emitted  at  night  than  by  day." 


iGV. 


THE  GREAT  NOKTUEIIN    DIVER. 


/j')'> 


■  oiitt-r  !tft(iiii\iiiii-«  ami   tlve 

itc;  lump.  M'li^"  "'■""■  "'"'"" 
:■  irU  .luik-biDWii;  lar-i  »iul 

nd  int.ro  delicatf  in  form ;  lliu 

l,y  till'  K'''"'^'"'  proi'or''""  "f 
l,;,„'of  tlietail,t(.-.:tli.r«itli 

n. 

Ill,  three-quurtcrs;  l)iU,  scveii- 

xici)  li>  Hrtlliu's  Hay. 

lul,  to  my  knowledge, 
New-England  shores. 


islands  situated  off  the 
'  :Mud  Islands,'  but  which 
iitily  covered  with  grass. 
Thither  the  birds  re- 
sort in  s,'reat  numbers 
about  the  beginning  of 
June,  and   form  bur- 
rows of  the  depth  of 
two  or  two  and  a  half 
^  feet,  in  the  bottom  of 
■which  is  laid  a  single 
white  egg ;  a  few  bits 
of  dry  grass,  scarcely 
deserving  the  name  of 
The  egg  measures  an 
L  of  an  inch  in  breadth  ; 
Inds.  ...  On   wing,   this 
.ailed,  but  less  so  than  the 
different  from  that  of  the 
le   syllables   hee-re-kee-kec. 
isrht  than  by  day." 


Family   COLYMHIDvE.     TnK  Divins. 

Bill  more  or  less  ionj,'  and  compressed;  the  iiostriU  arc  limar  nr  mmimIi.I,  ami 
situated  in  a  lateral  (groove;  tail  riulimeiilary  or  slmit;  larM  niiuli  eiinipic-iil;  an- 
terior toes  Io;i>;,  with  the  interdi^'ital  mcml)rane  mure  or  lex  rail,  the  (Uiler  hiimr-f 
hind  toe  short,  Tree,  with  a  hanj^inf;  lulie;  claws  hruad,  depre>>ed,  hiiiiiil  iji  tha 
body. 

The  species  are  renuukahle  lor  tlieir  powers  ol'  swlmmiiin  and  diviiij;;  tlieir  ea>f! 
»Dd  f;racel'ulne..is  on  tlie  water  is  ir  strong  contrast  with  their  awkwardness  on  I 'ii| 

The  following  are  the  characters  of  the  two  sub-families,  CvlyiubimB  and  /i- 
ci/>intB ;  — 

CoLYMr.ix.K.  —  Hill  long,  rather  atronR,  much  eompres-ed,  wiih  the  point  aeute; 
nostrils  basal,  linear;  tarsi  much  compressed;  toes  long  and  ueli>  liill;  taii  horl; 
lores  feathered. 

PoDlcifl.N.i;. — Kill  gener.dly  long  and  rather  slender,  eomiiressed  and  pointed; 
nostrils  situated  in  a  groove,  oblong  and  narrow;  tarsi  compressed;  toes  long  nd 
broadly  lobed;  tail  wanting,  or  very  rudimentary;  lores  naked. 


Sub-Family  Colymiun;i;. —  The  Loons. 

Bill  about  the  length  of  the  head,  rather  stout,  much  compressed,  and  acute; 
nostrils  basal,  linear,  and  pervious;  wings  of  medium  size,  narrow  and  pointed,  first 
quill  the  longest,  reaeliing  far  beyond  the  .scapulars;  tail  short  and  rounded;  tarsi 
very  much  compressed;  entire  tarsi  and  base  of  toes  reticulated;  toes  long,  the 
anterior  ones  united  by  regular  webs,  the  claw  of  the  middle  twice  as  long  us  broad ; 
hind  toe  short,  edged  with  a  narrow  membrane. 

These  birds  excel  all  others  in  their  rapidity  of  diving,  and  the  great  progress 
they  are  able  to  make  under  water.  Only  one  genus  in  this  sub-family  is  recognized 
by  authors. 

COLYMBUS,  Lixx.Kus. 

Cobjmhtis.  LiNN.KUS,  Syst.  Nat.  (1735).     (Type  C.  articus.) 

As  the  characters  of  tlie  sub-family  include  those  of  the  single  genus  Cohjmhus,  it 
IS  not  necessary  to  repeat  them. 

They  are  abundant  during  summer  in  the  high  northern  latitudes,  both  on  tlie 
seacoast  and  on  inland  lakes;  in  winter,  they  migrate  to  the  South.  They  are  soli- 
tary in  their  habits,  keen-sighted,  and  very  difficult  of  approach:  their  flight  is 
strong,  rapid,  and  direct. 

COLYMBUS  TOHQUATUS.  — 5/a««/c/i. 

The  Great  Northern  Divar;  the  Loon. 

Colynibus  glacialis,  Linnaeus.  Syst.  Nut.,  \.  (1760)  221.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.,  IX. 
(1824)  84.  Nutt.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  513.  Aud.  )rn.  Biog.,  IV.  (1838)  43.  //',  Birds 
Am.,  VII.  (1844)282. 


5r.G 


otsrrnoLoGV  and  oouxiv. 


I 


r5 


pKMCIIirTKlM. 

Hill  comprusfctl,  Mroii){  .«nd  ta|)cring,  outline  of  upper  mumiible  nearly  Ktrai^sht, 
very  hli^'lilly  curved;  the  lower  iiiiiiuliliie  liun  ii  ^rduve  uiideriiealli,  ruiiMitii;  frniit 
ll.e  juiKtioii  of  the  crura  towards  the  point;  lliu  tail  coii»iHt»  of  twenty  feutla-rs. 

Adult.  —  The  lii'iul  and  Neck  are  dark  blui»li-green,  tliu  upper  part  iiiiil  nidvo  of 
the  head  ^'loKsed  with  purple;  there  \»  ii  small  tran.svcritu  murk  un  the  tliritut,  coin- 
pdHcd  of  white  feuthern  of  n  (|iiill-liku  form,  dixtinet  I'roiil  eueh  other,  and  placed  lun- 
({iludinully  on  each  side  of  the  iie(  k  ;  lower  down  are  larf;er  patches  of  white,  of  the 
pame  peculiar  form,  and  running;  in  the  same  direction;  these  almost  meet  behind, 
•nd  in  front  are  about  one  inch  apart;  the  ellect  of  these  pure- white  feathers,  re- 
lievi'd  by  the  dark  color  of  the  neck,  is  very  beautiful;  the  upper  plumage  and  win;; 
coverts  are  deep  glossy-black,  beaulil'iilly  marked  with  pure-white  spots,  jiluecd  in 
regular  transverse  rows,  slij,'htly  curving  downwanN;  these  spots,  on  the  upper  part 
of  the  back,  are  small  ond  nearly  round,  but,  as  they  descend  lower  on  the  back, 
increase  in  si/.e,  and  become  quadrangidiir  iu  form,  being  laigesl  on  the  scapularies; 
on  the  lower  part  of  the  buck,  upper  tail  coverts,  and  sides  (which  are  black),  the 
tipots  are  small  and  round;  the  siiles  of  the  neck,  near  the  shoulder,  are  beautifully 
lineated  with  black  and  white;  the  |>rimaries,  secondaries,  and  tail,  brownish-black; 
tlie  under  surface  glossy-white,  with  a  mirrow  band  of  dusky  feathers  crossing  the 
lower  part  of  the  abdon\en,  and  marked  with  small  white  spots;  lower  tail  coverts 
blackish-brown,  tipped  with  white;  bill  black;  iris  deep  brigbt-rcd;  tarsi  and  feet 
gruyish-blue  externally,  tinged  on  the  inside  with  pale-yellowish  red;  webs  brownish- 
black  ;  cla»8  black. 

YuuHij. — The  plumage  above  is  grayish-black,  the  feathers  of  the  back  mar- 
gined with  grayish-white,  the  under  plumage  pure-white;  bill  yellowish,  with  the 
ridge  of  the  upper  mandible  dusky. 

Length,  thirty-one  inches;  wing,  fourteen;  tarsus,  three  and  a  quarter;  bill, 
three;  height  ut  base,  one  inch. 

Hub.  —  Very  generally  distributed;  it  is  abundant  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  in  the 
lakes  of  the  interior,  and  tlie  Air  countries. 

rilHE  Great  Loon  is  a  rather  cominou  species  on  our  coast 
JL  ia  the  autumn  and  winter.  It  passes  the  season  of  re- 
production in  the  neighborhood  of  large  tracts  and  ponds  of 
fresh  water  in  the  interior,  where  it  nests,  about  the  middle 
of  June,  on  some  low  island,  or  in  meadows,  bordering  tlie 
lakes  where  it  collects  a  large  pile  of  grasses,  sods,  and 
weeds,  in  which  it  forms  a  hollow  of  from  fourteen  to  six- 
teen inches  in  diameter,  and  four  or  five  in  depth  ;  lining  it 
with  a  few  softer  grasses  and  pieces  of  moss,  if  such  are 
obtainable.  The  eggs  are  two  or  three  in  number.  They 
vary  in  shape  from  almost  exactly  oval,  usually  about  ovate 
and  occasionally  very  much  lengthened,  as  will  be  seen  by 
the  following  dimensions  of  four  specimens  from  different 


LiY. 


THK   IlKn-TnniVVTF.D    IMVK.n. 


r,r)7 


■  r  mumiilili'  "^'urly  strai«IH, 
,  iina.riifalli,  ruimiiiK'  <>'>"•• 
isiHts  of  twenty  feulliers. 

Uu  iippur  1'""  '""'  "'''*"  '" 
c  mark  on  the  tliroat,  coni- 
n  ciicli  oth.T,  unil  (iluccil  loii- 
ir^er  iKitcl.LS  of  white,  of  ihts 
,.  thefe  ulmtiHincet  behiml, 
|>o.,o  pure- white  feathers,  re- 
the  upiier  plu.iiagu  and  wni« 
h  pure-wbite  spots,  pluccd  m 
these  Bpots,  on  the  upper  part 
y  (loscend  lower  on  the  back, 
i.igluiK'-tontl'"  scapulariesi 
1  gi,les  (^yh\c\x  are  lilack),  the 
r  the  KhouUler,  are  beautifully 
irics,  and  tail,  brownish-black; 
of  dusky  feathers  crossing  the 
,vhito  spots!  lower  tail  coverts 
leep  briKbt-rcd;   tarsi  and  feet 
..yellowish red;  webs brownish- 

the  feathers  of  the  back  mar- 
white-,  bill  yellowish,  with  the 

ius,  three  and  a  quarter;  bill, 

at  on  the  AtlanUc  coast,  in  the 

311  species  on  our  coast 
)asses  the  season  of  re- 
ge  tracts  and  ponds  of 
lests,  about  the  middle 
neadovvs,  bordering  the 
of  grasses,  sods,  and 
from  fourteen  to  six- 
five  in  depth  ;  lining  it 
.s  of  moss,  if  such  are 
iree  in  number.     They 
al,  usually  about  ovate 
icd.  as  will  be  seen  by 
lecimcns  from  different 


localities  in  Maine:  ri.t',;  hy  -J.o'i,  n.8.'  by  2.1.">,  :].:,{)  by 
2.:i"),  ;J.")0  l»y  2.25  inciifs.  'riicir  culor  is  an  oiivaccitiiH- 
brown,  soniotimoa  an  olivacooua-dral) ;  and  one  spiM.'inKMi  is 
of  a  rcdtlisli-l»ro\vti,  wilii  itut  a  sliirlit  nlivatM-oiis  tint,  'ritin 
priiniii-y  color  is  sparingly  inarl<cil  witli  small  spots  and  a 
few  lar<icr  l)lotfb('s  of  l)ln(;kish  or  very  durk-biown.  Tin; 
Uniltagog  Lai<es,  in  Maine,  an;  a  favorite  l)ri'i'(lin,u:  locality 
of  this  species;  and  sometimes  several  pairs  may  be  Ibmid, 
witiiin  a  imndrcd  rods  of  each  oilier,  engaged  in  the  dnties 
of  inciil)ation.  When  the  nest  is  appmacliod,  tlio  sitting 
bird  si!(Mitly  loaves  it;  and.  gliding  tbrongh  the  gi'ass,  drops 
into  the  water;  and,  diving,  swims  below  the  siirlaco  to  a 
considcral)le  distance  from  tiio  shore,  whore,  appearing 
above  it,  she  attentively  watches  the  intruder. 

The  nest  is  built  only  a  short  distance  from  the  water, 
and  is  approached  in  different  directions  by  patlis  tlirougii 
the  grass,  beaten  by  the  birds,  or  sometimes  hy  muskrats 
in  their  approaches  to  their  winter  homes.  I  onct;  iieard  of 
one  of  these  Loons  forming  its  nest  in  the  top  of  an  al)an- 
doned  muskrat's  nest,  and  of  another  that  placed  it  in  tiio 
top  of  a  low  stump  of  a  pine.  Usually,  it  is  laid  on  the  mud 
or  earth,  in  thick  grass  or  weeds. 

COLTMBUS    SEPTENTEiONALIS.  -  l.liimnis. 

The  Eed-throated  Diver, 

Colymbus  Seplenfrionalis,  Nuttall.  Man.,  II.  (18.'34)  519.  Ami.  Om.  Rio?;.,  HI. 
(16.38)20;  V.  (1S39)  625.     /i.,  Birds  Am.,  Vll   (1844)290. 

DESCIillTIOX. 

Adult.  —  Front,  sides  of  the  head,  upper  part  of  the  tliroiit,  ami  sides  oftlic  ncok, 
clear  bluish-gray;  upper  part  of  the  head  of  the  same  color,  intermixed  with  l)Iack- 
ish  spots;  the  hind  neck  streaked  lonKitudinally  with  white  on  a  preenisli-blnek 
ground,  the  white  feathers  being  raised  al)ove  tlie  others;  on  tlie  lorepart  of  tha 
neck  is  a  large  longitudinal  pateli  of  deep  reddish-brown;  upper  plumsge  hrownisli- 
black,  slightly  tinged  with  green,  and  on  the  upper  part  of  the  back  and  lower  part 
and  sides  of  the  neck  streaked  and  mottled  with  white;  wings  and  tail  brownish- 
black;  under  plumage  pure-white,  with  a  band  across  the  hind-part  of  the  abdomen, 
and  the  lower  tail  coverts,  brownish-gray;  bill  bluisli-l)lark;  iris  briglit-rcd :  tarsi 
and  feet  brownish-black  externally,  on  llie  inside  pale  flesh-color;  daws  yellowish 
at  the  base,  dusky  at  the  end. 


6.:8 


UUMTHOLOGY    AND   OOI/KJY. 


19 


In 

^^1 


8 


Younff.  —  Upper  pnrt  of  Die  Ik  ml  nml  liinil-iicck  (liill-t'riiy,  utrcuki-il  with  jfrnj  Iiih« 
white;  Imck  fliii|«iiiK'<  Miiiki«li-);niy,  pniCii^rly  iimrkid  willi  ovalsliiipcil  \vliit« 
K|KitK,  tlipru  living  two  on  rai  li  t't'iitlur,  '<iiiiill<"^l  on  tin-  upper  part  of  tlm  hack  hmiI 
larh'i"<t  oil  the  tcrtiarii'i;  ipiill  li'iithen  anil  tall  hlai'ki>li-hrowii,  llie  liillir  imI^'iiI 
villi  white;  Hiilen  of  tli«  nei  k  white,  cpeekleil  minutely  with  urny;  iiiuhr  pliiiiiajjn 
hilUy-wliite,  croxied  on  the  lower  part  of  the  ahdonien  hy  n  dusky  hand;  hill  hhiiNh- 
Urny,  ilufiky  on  the  ridKO  ami  lle<>li-<-olored  nt  the  Imne. 

Length,  twenty-Hcvon  iiielies;  wlnt^,  eleven  nnd  a  Imlfj  tail,  two  and  tt  half;  lilll, 
two  ami  a  ipiarter;  larKiiH,  two  ami  ihrec-ipiartorH  inchen. 

//nil.  — DiiriiiK  till!  winters  as  far  .xoiiih  nn  Mar}'land;  inlinhltn  as  far  north  ns  tha 
•relic  span;  fuiinil  also  on  the  I'arillr  coast. 

This  hinl,  altlioiiirli  pretty  coin:noM  nii  nur  const  during 
the  winter,  is  nuich  mure  nortlieni  in  it.s  l>ree(Hn^  habits 
than  the  Loon  ;  soUloin  passing  the  ticasoii  of  inculcation 
south  of  Labrador,  where  it  begins  to  lay  early  in  June. 
Tlic  nests  arc  placed  on  small  islands  in  frosh-watcr  ponds, 
a  short  distance  from  the  sea.  "  These  nests  consist  merely  \ 
of  a  few  blades  of  rank  grasses  loosely  put  together,  and 
are  quite  flat,  without  any  down  to  warm  or  conceal  the 
eggs  at  any  period  of  incubation."  They  are  placed  within 
a  few  feet  of  the  water,  and  are  approached  by  well-beattMi 
paths,  like  those  of  the  preceding.  The  eggs  are  usually 
three  in  number.  They  exactly  resemble  those  of  the 
Loon  in  form,  color,  and  markings,  but  arc  much  smaller ; 
^arying  from  3  to  2.65  inches  in  length,  and  from  1.90 
'■)  1  76  inch  in  breadth. 


Suh-Fannhf  PoDiclPiNyK. —  The    Grebes. 

Hill  senerally  lonp,  compressed  on  the  sides,  and  pointed;  lores  iisiially  naked; 
rtoslrils  placed  in  n  groove,  ohlong  nnd  narrow.  Wind's  short,  tho  second  quill 
longe.st,  shorter  than  tlie  scapulars;  the  tail  is  represented  hy  n  tuft  of  downy  feath- 
ers; tarsi  much  compressed  nnd  rather  short;  toes  Innp,  the  outer  longest,  broadly 
nnd  evenly  lobed,  most  so  on  the  inner  side;  claws  short,  broad,  and  obtuse;  tarsi 
with  plates  on  tho  sides,  in  front  with  a,  single,  behind  with  a  double,  longitudinal 
jeries  of  projecting  scales;  toes  and  their  lobes  plated  above. 

The  plr.aaage  is  very  soft,  and  on  the  under  surface  silky:  they  nre  remarkably 
ai'ive  or.  the  water,  and  when  alarmed  remain  below  the  surface,  exposing  only 
the  bill. 


;Y. 


TUK  UKl>-NKCKKl)  OliEBK. 


559 


p-nv.Kmiikml  Willi  tn^KJ'-h' 

,.,l  Willi  ..viil-'.liii|H(l  wliil<« 
iil.lHr  part  nf  lli.-  I>mk  hihI 
-|,-l,r..wn,  111"  lallir  I'llk'-il 
Willi  nrny\  unil.r  iilmimt,"' 
irniluKWy  Imml;  hill  l)liii»l>- 

If ;  tail,  two  niul  n  hnlf;  bill, 

i  iiilmbit*  fts  fov  north  as  tli« 

on  our  const  during 
1  its  l.nHMliujL!;  linlnts 
icivsoi-   of  intMibation 
c  lo.y  early  iu  June. 
m  frorth-wrttcr  ponds, 
B  uesta  consist  merely 
ely  put  togetlier,  and 
warm  or  conceal  the 
Micy  arc  placed  within 
■oaclicd  ity  well-beaten 
The  eggs  are  usually 
jsomble   those   of  tlio 
|iut  are  much  smaller  ; 
sugth,  and  from  1.90 


\The    Grebes. 

„  pnintoil;  lores  usually  nnki'il; 
lwiiit,'s  short,  the  second  ciiiill 
lentcilhy  n  tuft  of  downy  feiith- 

llonR,  the  outer  longest,  broadly 
k  short,  broad,  and  obtuse;  tarsi 
|„d  with  a  double,  longitudinal 
Id  above. 

Irtce  silky:  tbey  are  remarkably 
lelow  the  surface,  exposing  only 


I'ODICKl'S,     I.ATIIAM. 

/WiV./xi,  1  AiiiAM,  IikI.  Oriiith.  (17!Mi|,  T-o.  (Type  ('■'Ijim.'m  riit:,it,i»,  \..) 
Hill  l»r,;(,  hliMider,  taptrinjc,  and  ixMntid;  nirttriU  .-llual.'d  in  u  ;,'rnove,  unull, 
liniar,  and  p.TviiMK:  wings  i-liort  mid  nnrrow,  Hicniid  primiiry  .i  litilr  tlin  lMiig.'«f, 
I'liiargliialc  near  tlio  iikN;  tail  a  tntt  ot'  lnomi  Hallicrs;  lar>i  "hurt,  niiirh  rnniprcs^cd, 
tlio  odgos  coviTcil  with  sniiill  rxiitillic,  anil  llic  <idi'H  with  limad  Iraiitvi'rHi^  scuUdla'; 
ti>0»  long,  llii'  outer  longest,  tlatlened,  with  llii'  sidi  i  loliid,  the  ni'i.t  nu  the  inner 
Hide,  and  at  the  lia-.c  imileii  liy  weli-i;  hind  loe  >hcirt  and  broadly  liibvd, claws  small, 
depressed,  and  obtuse. 

These  birds  mostly  fre(|ucnt  Ihn  (Vcsh-water  rivers  and  interior  lakes;  but  they  ar« 
uNci  I'oiiiid  near  the  seaenast.  They  are  very  expert  swirniiiers,  lint  make  progrDSi 
with  great  ililliinlly  on  land;  their  llinht  is  rapid  and  direct.  In  the  lireeding  seas  n, 
the  head  is  ornainenteil  with  nid's  and  eluiigated  tiilU,  whieh  disappear  when  they 
Msuniu  their  winter  gurb. 


PODICEPS    OEISEIGENA.  -  Cray. 

The  Eed-neokod  Grebe. 

Pmnrepa  ruhricotth,  Niiltall.  Man.,  11.  ( is.14)  2.'.1.  And.  Orn.  Biog.,  lit.  ( IS85) 
617 i  V.  (1S3SI)  520.     /6.,  Hirds  Am.,  VH.  (1n.|4)  .T12. 

DESCniI'TKIS. 

A'hilt.  —  Upper  plumage  blackish-lirown,  with  the  upper  part  of  the  head  and 
hind-neck  black;  primaries  ashy-brown,  secmidaries  iii(i-.tly  white,  a  lew  ol  the  iiini'r 
ones  dark-ash;  cheeks  and  throat  asli-gray ;  awhile  line  exteiuls  from  the  hiwcr 
nmiidililo  under  and  beyond  the  eye;  forepart  and  sides  of  the  neck  rich  lirownish- 
red;  lower  parts  silvery-white,  with  the  sides  dusky;  bill  black,  paler  at  the  end, 
niid  hright-yeilow  at  the  base;  iris  carmine;  tarsi  and  feet  oxternally  greenish-black, 
internally  yellow. 

Yintni/.  —  The  upper  plumago  is  blackish-brown,  darker  on  the  head;  throat  niid 
abdomen  white;  sides  of  the  head  and  forepart  of  neck  brownish-ash;  abdomen 
•ilky-white;  sides  dark  brownish-ash;  bill  bright-yellow. 

Length  about  eighteen  inches;  wing,  seven;  bill,  one  ond  three-quarters;  tarsi, 
two  inches. 

Ifiib.  —  Fur  countries  and  in  the  Atlantic  States,  as  far  south  as  Pennsylvania,  in 
winter. 

The  R  'l-ncckcd  Grebe  is  common  on  our  coast  in  winter, 
where  it  i.s  oommoiily  called  "  The  Diver,"  from  its  liabit  of 
diving  at  th''  flash  of  a  gun.  It  feeds,  like  all  otiior  bird.s 
of  this  family,  on  small  fishes  and  marine  animals,  which  it 
obtains  by  diving;  and  such  is  its  cxpcrtness  and  powers 
of  endurance  in  this  respect,  that  I  have  icnowix  it  to  remain 
certainly  a  minute  beneath  the  surface,  if  not  longer.     It  ia 


5m 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOOY. 


shy,  and  difTiciilt  of  approach ;  and,  when  apprehending 
danger,  it  immerses  its  body,  and  swims  with  nothinti;  hnt 
its  liead  al)ove  tlie  surface.  This  trick  I  have  noticed  in 
other  allied  species;  and  it  is,  I  think,  common  in  all  l)irds 
of  this  class.  It  breeds  in  the  most  northern  portions  of 
the  continent,  where  it  forms  the  same  kind  of  nest  "  as 
that  of  the  Crested  Grebe,  and  lays  three  or  four  eggs." 
Audubon  describes  an  egg  in  his  possession  as  being  two 
inches  in  length  by  one  and  a  quarter  incli  in  breadth,  and 
of  a  uniform  pale  greenish-white. 


Mi 


':  9 


^. 


f:3 


PODICEPS    CEISTATOS.— Z,«<Aam. 

The  Crested  Grebe. 

Podiceps  crislatus,  Nuttall.  Man.,  II.  (1834)  250.  And.  Om.  I?iog.,  III.  (1835) 
695.     lb.,  Hirda  Am.,  VII.  (1844)  308. 

Dkscription. 

Adnlt. — Front,  upper  part  of  the  head,  and  long  occipital  tufts  dark  umber- 
brown,  tlie  base  of  the  tufts  brownisli-red;  tlie  ruff  la  bright  brownish-rod  on  the 
upper  portion  iuimciliiiti.'Iy  under  the  tuft.a  atid  anteriorly,  on  the  hind-part  l)rownish- 
black;  upper  plumage  dark  umber-brown ;  humeral  feathere  white;  primaries  umber- 
brown;  secondaries  nio.stly  white;  tliroat  .ind  sides  of  the  head  white;  forepart 
and  sides  of  the  neck  adjoining  the  ruff  brownish-red;  under  plumage  silverj'-white; 
sides  duskj',  tinged  with  reddish-brown;  bill  blackisli-brown,  tinged  with  carmine; 
bare  loral  space  dusky-green;  iris  brig  a-carmine;  tarsi  and  feet  greenish-black 
externally,  grccnisli-yellow  internally;  webs  grayish-blue. 

Young.  —  Upper  part  of  head  dark-brown;  hind-neck  brownish-gray;  back  and 
wings  brownish-black;  hur.ieral  feathers  white;  primaries  dark  umber-brown  on  the 
outer  webs,  p.iler  on  the  inner;  lower  parts  silvery-white,  sides  brovm;  upper  man- 
dible brownish-bl.ack,  pale  at  the  end,  and  yellow  on  the  sides  at  the  base;  lower 
mandible  yellow,  with  the  sides  dusky. 

Length,  twenty-three  and  one-half  inches;  wing,  seven  and  three-quarters;  bill, 
two  and  one-sixteenth ;  tarsus,  two  and  a  half  inches. 

This  is  not  uncommon  as  a  summer  resident  in  northern 
New  England;  and,  according  to  Mr.  George  A.  Boardman. 
it  breeds  about  the  lakes  in  the  neighborhood  of  Calais, 
Me.  The  nest  is  placed  in  a  retired  spot,  in  a  swamp  or 
marsh,  near  the  water ;  and  is  constructed,  according  to  Dr. 
Richardson,  of  "  a  large  quantity  of  grass,  placed  among 
the  reeds  and  carices."     The  eggs  are  generally  four  in 


:y. 


THK    IIOUNKI*   CUKIiK. 


')t!l 


yhcii  approlicudinp; 
as  with  nothing  hut 
i  I  have  noticed  in 
ionimon  in  all  i.ivds 
lorthcrn  portions  ot 
le  kind  of  nest  "  as 
,hree  or  fonr  eggs." 
session  as  hoing  two 
incli  in  hreadth,  and 


atham. 


A«d.Om.Biog.,in.(1835) 


,p  occipitaltuftB  dark  umbcr- 

i,  bright  brownish-rod  on  the 
kvlv,  on  the  hind-part  hrowmsh- 
eaihe«  white  ;prin.ariesumbe.- 

,s  of  the  head  white;  lorepnrt 

l-  under  plumage  silverj-wh.te; 

,Urown,  tinged  with  carmn.e; 

tarsi  and  feet  green.sh-blaclc 

'^I'cck  brownish-gray,  back  and 

,Kuios  dark  umber-brown  on  the 
,vhito,Mdesbrowniup,)er  man- 
on  the  sides  at  the  base;  lower 

;,  seven  and  three-quarters;  bill, 

;s. 

3r  resident  in  northern 
,.  George  A.  Boardman, 
Iciglihorhood  of  Calais, 
ted'  spot,  in  a  swamp  or 
lucted,  according  to  Dr. 
pf  grass,  placed  among 
are  generally  four  ni 


mnnher.  Tliry  are,  wlniii  first  laid,  of  a  white  color  ;  hut 
tlic}-  quiekly  become  dirty  and  stained  by  (he  iialiits  of  tii.- 
bird  and  tlie  nature  of  tlio  nest.  They  are  uf  ;m  ovuidal 
form,  and  average  al)out  2.10  by  1.48  inch  in  dimensions. 


PODICEPS    CORNUTUS.  -  /..ulmm. 

Tha  Horned  Grebe. 

PoiViceps  cornutat.,  Niittiill.  MiSii.,  H.  (1^<:M)  l!54.  Ami.  Orii.  I'.in- ,  HI.  i^:):,^ 
429;  v.  (183t))  023.     lb.,  liirds  Am.,  VII.  (1^41)  :!!■;. 

Dkschiition. 

yl(/«/<.  —  Upper  part  of  the  head,  checks,  thrmit,  iunl  riilV,  j,^!  wsy-hl.i.k ;  a  lir.);iil 
hand  runniii};  from  the  hill  over  tlic  eyes,  mid  llic  cldHuMlcil  ciccipiliil  tuft*  lieluiisl 
tli4?m,  yellowish-red,  deepest  in  eulor  ailjoiiiiiii,'  the  liill ;  iip|it>r  surface  hmwuish-blaek ; 
the  feathers  mari;ined  with  p-.xy;  primaries  l)rownisli-:isli;  secondaries  mostly  white, 
some  of  the  outer  one  dark-ash;  tlie  fore -neck  and  upper  part  of  the  hroast  hrif^ht 
clicstnut-rod,  sides  of  the  same  color,  intermixed  with  iluskv;  ahdoiiicu  silkv-white: 
bill  bluish-black,  yellow  at  the  tip;  lural  sjiace  brii^ht-ciinuinc;  iris  caruiiiic,  wiih  an 
inner  circle  of  white;  tarsi  and  feet  du^Uy-sray  cxlcnially,  (iull-ycUow  iMtirually, 
and  on  both  edfies  of  the  tarsus. 

Ymnuj.  —  The  v.luile  upper  plumaije  grayish-black,  darkest  on  the  head,  leathern 
of  the  back  with  gray  margins;  throat,  sides  of  the  head,  a  Imiad  ■^paei'  (ni  tlu'  ^ide,^ 
of  the  neck,  nearly  meeting  behind,  breast,  and  abdumen,  silveiv- white;  sides  and 
liiwer  part  of  abdomen  dusky. 

Leni;;tli,  about  fnurleeii  inches;  wine;,  five  and  thicHiiuirlers;  bill,  one;  tarsi. 
•me  and  three-(|uarters  inch. 

Utd).  —  (ienerally  distributed  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  coast. 

The  Horned  Grebe  is  not  uncommon  in  (jiii-  lakes  and 
rivers,  and  in  the  waters  on  our  coast,  in  the  spring  and 
autmnn.  it  breeds  in  more  northern  localitit.-s  titan  New 
England,  but  is  not  invariably  an  arctic  Ijrcedor.  Audiilton 
says, — 

"  Although  the  greater  number  of  these  birds  <i'o  far 
northward  to  breed,  some  remain  witliin  the  limits  of  the 
United  States  during  the  wIkjIc  year;  rearing  their  young-  on 
tlie  borders  of  ponds,  particularly  in  tlie  nortliern  parts  uf 
the  State  of  Ohio,  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Erie.  Two  nests 
whieh  I  found  were  placed  at  a  distance  of  about  four  yards 
from  the  wafer's  edge,  on  the  top  of  broken-down  tussot.:ks 

;5G 


562 


OBNITUOLOCiY    AND   OOLOGY. 


<4 
3 


s 


of  rank  weeds ;  the  materials  of  which  they  were  com- 
posed uf  the  same  nature,  and  rudely  iiiterwoveu  to  a 
height  of  upwards  of  seven  iuelies.  Tliey  were  ratlier 
more  than  a  foot  in  diameter  at  the  base ;  the  cavity  only 
four  inches  across,  shallow,  but  more  finislied  with  finer 
plant.-,  of  wliieh  a  quantity  lay  on  the  borders,  and  was 
probably  used  by  the  bird  to  cover  tlie  eggs  when  about  to 
leave  them.  There  were  five  eggs  hi  one  nes+^^,  seven  in 
the  otner.  They  measured  one  inch  and  three-quarters 
in  length  by  one  inch  and  two  and  a  half  eighths.  Their 
shell  was  smooth,  and  of  a  uniform  yellowish-cream  color, 
without  spots  or  marks  of  any  kind." 

A  single  egg  i»i  my  collection,  from  Wisconsin,  is  of  an 
ovoidal  form;  measures  1.85  by  1.20  hich  in  dimensions. 
It  is  of  a  dirty-wliite  color,  the  sliell  being  covered  by  a 
calcareous  deposit.  On  scraping  this,  the  shell  is  of  a 
bluish-white  thit. 

PODILYMBUS,  Lesson. 

Pudiltjmbus,  Lesson,  Traite  d'Oniith.  (1831),  505.  (Type  Culymbus  poai- 
ccps,  Ij.) 

liill  shorter  tlian  the  head,  snout  much  compressed;  the  ciihnen  much  curved  to 
the  tip,  which  is  acute;  uostrils  situated  iu  the  antorior  part  of  a  broad  groove,  oval 
and  pervious;  wings  short,  second  quill  longest,  the  outer  quills  eniarginate  at  the 
end;  tail  a  tuft  of  downy  feathers;  tarsi  short,  and  very  mucli  compressed;  anterior 
toes  long,  flattened,  the  outer  longest,  and  broadly  margined,  the  inner  sides  tlie 
most,  hind  too  short  and  moderately  lobed;  claws  small,  depressed,  obloag,  ar.d 
obtuse 


■1 


PODILYMBUS  PODICEPS.  — iawenee. 

The  Pied-bill  Grebe. 

Cvhjmhus pndiceps,  Linna'us.     S.  X.  (I'tiO),  223. 

.Poiliceps  Citniliiieiisi3,'Ku{.ta\l    Man.,  IL  (1834)  259.    Aud.  Om.  Biog.,  IIL  (1835) 
859;  V.  (1839)  624.     lb.,  Birds  Am.,  VIL  (1844)  324. 

DKscHirrioN, 
Adult.  —  Upper  plumage  very  dark  brown;  primaries  dark-ash;  secondaries  ash 
on  the  outer  webs,  and  Avhitc  on  the  inner;  bill  pale-blue,  dusky  on  (he  ridge  of  the 
upper  mandible,  both  mandibles  crossed  with  a  broad  black  band,  including  the  nos- 
trils; chin  and  throat  marked  with  a  conspicuous  black  patch  nearly  two  inches  ii; 
extent;  cheeks  and  sides  of  the  neck  brownish-gray;  lower  part  of  the  ucck,  upjui 


iY. 


TllIC    PIKU-BILL   GUKBK. 


■>03 


;li  they  were   com- 
y  inter  woven  to   a 

They  wei'c  rather 
ase  ;  the  cavity  only 

liiiished  with  finer 
ie  hordcrs,  and  was 
3  eiigs  when  about  to 
a  one  ncs^  seven  in 
1   and   three-quarters 

half  eighties.     Their 
yellowish-cream  color, 

in  Wisconsin,  is  of  an 
)  inch  in  dimensions. 
U  being  covered  by  a 
liis,  the  shell  is  of  a 


SON. 

,    5'J5.      (Type    Colymbus  poai- 

bed;  the  culmen  much  curved  to 
Lr  part  of  a  broad  groove,  oval 
'eolterciuUUeu^argmateatthe 
very  much  con>pressed;anter>o 
Iv  margined,  the  inner  s.des  the 
su.all,  depressed,  oblong,  ar.d 


part  of  tlie  lircnst,  and  tlic  siiU's,  (hdl  rusty-brown,  spoltcd  iiiiil  ratlior  iiidin- 
tinctly  burred  willi  browniph-biaik;  Iowit  part  nf  lin-a^t  and  alKlniiicu  •,'r;iyi>li- 
white,  uuittled  with  dusky  spots;   iris  brown;   tai>i  and  lect  ;.'rayish-l)lm  k. 

Yiiuiir.  —  The  tliroat  is  white  and  the  bill  without  the  transverse  lilaik  hand,  the 
under  plumage  more  silvery-while;  in  other  respects  the  same  as  the  adult;  some 
epecimens,  probably  the  birds  of  the  year,  have  whitish  lines  on  the  sides  of  the 
head. 

Length,  fourteen  inches;  wing,  five  and  a  quaiter;  bill,  seven-eigliths;  tarsus, 
one  and  a  half  inch. 

Hob.  —  Atlantic  States  generally;  Texas  and  New  Mc.\;co;  C'alil'omia  and 
Oregon. 

This  is  the  most  common  Grebe  in  New  England,  wliuro 
it  is  a  summer  resident.  It  undoubtedly  breeds  iu  all  those 
States,  as  it  is  frequently  taken  in  the  breeding  season;  but 
its  nest,  owing  to  the  secluded  habits  of  the  bird,  is  very 
rarely  found.  It  is  described  as  being  similar  to  that  of  the 
preceding  species.  Tiie  eggs,  live  in  nnmbor,  arc  covfrod 
with  a  calcareous  deposit,  which  gives  them  a  duty  yellow 
ish-white  color:  on  scraping  this  oIT,  the  shell  l-oneath  has 
a  bluish-white  tint.  The  form  of  the  egg  is  exactly  uvoidal. 
Specimens  iu  my  collection,  from  Illinois,  measure  about 

2.17  inches  iu  length  by  1.45  inch  in  their  greatest  breadth. 
Another,  from  Wisconsin,  is  onl)-*1.95  inch  in  length,  and 

1.18  inch  at  its  greatest  breadth. 


.  Lawrence. 


1259. 
324. 


And.  Orn.Biog,  HI- (163^1 


1       •  a  ,l,i,ti-ash;  secondaries  ash 
Imanes  daii^-asu,  . 
l,o-Wue,duskyonthendgeofth 

Ld  black  band,  includmg  the  nos- 

fblack  patch  nearly  two  mchesn 

lay;loierparloftheueck,uppu 


564 


ORNITHOLOGY    AND   OOLOGY. 


Family  ALCID^. 

Bill  without  lamelloe  along  the  edges;  usually  shorter  than  the  head, compressed, 
and  pointed;  anterior  toes  connected  Cully  by  a  continuous  membrane;  hind  tne 
often  entirely  wanting;  the  outer  as  l^irge  as  the  middle;  the  claws  higher  than 
broad;   legs  inserted  far  back;  wings  short,  concave. 

The  AlcifliE  arc  readily  distini^ulshed  from  the  Cijli/ml>iil<B  by  i'le  abfence  of  hind 
toe,  the  continuous  webbing  of  the  toes,  the  compressed  claws,  and  other  characters. 
The  species  are  all  exclusively  marine,  usually  arctic,  only  coming  southward  in 
winter.  Owing  to  their  boreal  residence,  they  are  little  known ;  and  several  species 
doubtless  yet  remain  to  be  discovered. 


"1 


s 


Suh-Family  Alcin^. — The  Auks. 

ALGA,  LiNNA.^s.  \ 

Alccu,  LiNN.KUS,  Syst.  Nat.  (1758). 

General  form  short,  broad,  and  strong;  wings  short;  tail  s^iort;  bill  about  as 
long  as  the  head,  feathered  at  base,  much  flattened  laterally,  wi(i  r.  and  somewhat 
hooked  at  the  end;  upper  mandible  with  oblique  transverse  gn  v,  .-s;  win;.;?  short 
and  feeble;  tail  short,  pointed;  legs  and  feet  short  and  strong;  tuc;^  fuily  webbed. 


,  "  f!  A    TOED  A.  —  Linnaim. 

'i\t..  Hazor-billed  Auk. 

Alca  torda,  Linnaeus.  Syst.  Nat.,  L  (1758)  130.  And.  Cm.  Biog.,  III.  (i«35) 
112;   V.  428. 

DESCRimON. 

Much  smaller  than  the  preceding;  general  form  short  and  heavy;  bill  rather 
long,  densely  feathered  at  base,  flattened  laterally ;  upper  mandible  with  three  to  live 
curved  transverse  grooves ,  under  mandible  with  three  or  four  transverse  grooves; 
feathers  on  side  of  upper  jaw  reaching  far  beyond  the  middle  of  the  commissure,  and 
nearly  as  far  as  those  of  the  lower  jaw;  wing  moderate,  pointed;  tail  short,  gradu- 
ated, with  the  middle  feathers  longest  and  pointed;  legs  short,  strong;  a  narnnv 
but  very  distinct  line  of  white  on  each  side  from  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  lu 
the  eye;  head  and  entire  upper  parts  brownish-black,  more  clearly  brown  on  the 
throat  and  neck  in  front,  and  darker  on  the  back;  secondary  (juills  narrowly  tipped 
with  white;  entire  under  parts  white;  bill  black,  with  a  single  transverse  band  1 1 
white  on  both  mandibles;  feet  black. 

Total  length,  about  seventeen  mches;  wing,  eight  to  eight  and  a  half;  tail,  threo 
and  I.  half;  bill  to  gape,  two  and  a  half  inches. 

/,  i.  —  North-eastern  coast  of  America;  Newfoundland,  Labrador,  and  south  iu 
wuxier  to  New  Jersey;  also,  arctic  regions  of  Old  World. 


THE  RAZOn-niLLED   AUK. 


r^r^r, 


QY. 


,r  than  the  head,  compressed, 

nuous  membrane,  hh,d  toe 

iddle;  the  cU^s  h'S^'^'  ^'>*° 

ielaws  and  other  character, 
c  onW  coming  so-thward  m 

'  .n,i  Hpveial  species 

tie  known;  andsevua     i 


Hie  ^M^S. 


,  short;  tail  s4ort;  bill  about  as 
'dta;er;ily.wiU^.andsomewl^^^^ 

transverse  Rro'V-os,  win,, 

,  „    fiiHv  webbed, 
and  strong;  to'  >  t""y 


IIKEIM. 


LUk. 


.    Aud.Orn.Biog..  in.  U835, 


l30, 


lom  short  and  heavy;  bill  rather 

Kpe   mandible  with  throe  to  hve 

'tree  or  four  transverse  grooves 

lteniddieoftbccommi.sure,ad 

Lht  to  eight  and  a  half;  tail,  throo 

Loundland,  Labrador,  and  south  iu 
I  Old  World. 


This  well-known  spcrips  is  very  abundant  on  the  iiortli-iastcrn  coa-ls  (if  Nc^rili 
/Vini'ri<a,  and  appears  to  be  quite  identical  with  the  Mnl  ot'  tlio  nortlieni  ref;i(iii»<  <  I 
the  Old  World.  It  wanders  scutlnvardly  in  llie  winter,  and  is  occasionally  noticed 
(in  the  coasts  of  the  Middle  States  on  the  Atlantic.  This  bird  may  alwiiys  bo  recdj;- 
iiized  by  the  conspicuous  whit"  line  in  front  of  the  eye,  which  is  present  in  nil  Sfxes 
and  stages  of  plumage. 

THIS  species  visits  our  coasts,  "i  small  luimbers  only,  in 
the  winter  mouths.  It  breeds  in  the  most  northern  por- 
tions of  the  continent,  the  nearest  hrecdinjr-place  to  New 
England  being  the  islands  in  the  Bay  of  Fiindy.  Andu- 
bon,  in  describing  the  breeding  habits  of  this  bird,  says, — 

"  When  th    Auks  deposit  their  eggs  along  with  the  Guillemots, 
which  they  sometimes  do,  they  drop  them  in  spots  from  which  tlie 
water  can  escape  without  injuring  tliem :  hut  when  tlicy  breed  in 
deep  fissures,  which  is  more  frequently  tlie  case,  many  of  tlicm  lie 
close  together ;  and  the  eggs  are  deposited  on  small  hods  of  pebbles 
or  broken  stones,  raised  a  couple  of  inches  or  more  to  let  the  water 
pass  beneath  them.     When  they  lay  their  eggs  in  suclt  a  horizontal 
cavern,  you  find  them  scattered  at  the  distance  of  a  few  inches 
from  each  other :  and  there,  as  well  as  in  the  fissures,  they  bit  flat 
upon  them,  —  like  Ducks,  for  example;  whereas,  on  .in  exposed 
rock,  each  bird  stands  almost  upright  upon  itS  egg.     Another  thing, 
quite  as  curious,  which  I  observed,  is  tliat,  while  in  exposed  situa- 
tions, the  Auk  seldom  lays  more  than  one  egg ;  yet,  in  places  of 
greater  security,  I  have,  in  many  instances,  found  two  under  a  sin 
gle  bird.     The  eggs  measure  at  an  average  S^  by  2J;  inches,  and 
are   generally  pure-white,  greatly  blotched  with   dark-brown   or 
black ;  the  spots  generally  forming  a  circle  towards  the  larger  end. 
They  differ  considerably  from  those  of  the  Common  and  Thick- 
billed  Guillemots,  being  less  blunted  at  the  smaller  end." 

It  is  a  matter  of  great  diffictilty  to  distinguish  the  eggs 
of  this  species  from  those  of  the  Murre  and  Foolish  Guille- 
mot. In  a  large  number  of  each  in  my  collection,  I  can 
discover  no  characteristic  peculiar  to  either  so  persistent 
as  to  distinguish  it.  The  exception  noted  by  Audid)on,  of 
the  small   end  being  less  sharpened  than  the  others,  is 


566 


OaiNITHOLOOY   AND   OOLOGY. 


:1 


o 


the  princii)al ;  yet  this  is  not  invaria1)lc,  and  it  cannot  be 
depended  upon  as  a  sure  means  of  identification. 

MORMOX,  Illiokr. 

.Vormm,  Iluoeh,  Prod.  (1811),  283. 

Ocnernl  form  short  and  heavy,  and  adnpfpd  to  swimminff  and  diving  with  great 
facility,  and  to  limited  power  of  flight;  hill  short,  entirely  horny,  much  flattened 
lateralh',  and  nearly  as  high  as  long;  measured  on  the  side  ohliquely  rugose  and 
laminated;  a  portion  at  the  hase  punctulated;  nostril  in  the  edge  of  and  in  th« 
second  lamina  of  the  upper  niandihle;  wing  moderate  or  rather  weak,  first  quill 
usually  longest;  tail  short;  legs  short;  toes,  three  only,  directed  forwards,  rather 
long,  fully  webbed;  claws  large,  curved;  plumage  very  compact. 

MORMON  ABCTICA.  - /%er. 

The  Puffin. 

Alcn  arctica,  Linnoius.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1706)  211. 

Mormon  arctica,  Illiger.    Prod.  (1811),    Aud.  Orn.  Biog.,  III.  105.  i 

Description. 

Smaller  than  either  of  the  preceding,  but  much  resembling  the  two  last  species 
in  form  and  color;  a  short,  blunt  process  over  each  eye,  and  a  narrow  transverse 
process  under  it;  bill  much  flattened  laterally,  horny;  upper  mandible  composed  of 
two  pirts,  that  at  the  base  narrow,  and  covered  with  minute  spots  or  granulations, 
terminal  part  with  about  fbur  curved  ridges  at  its  base,  and  two  or  three  cur\'ed 
descending  ^p-ooves  near  the  end;  under  mandible  smooth  at  base,  and  with  about 
three  grooves  near  its  end;  wing  rather  short  and  weak;  tail  short;  legs  and  feet 
trong;  throat  black,  uniting  with  the  p-ame  color  of  the  upper  parts  of  the  body; 
large  space  on  caeh  side  of  the  head  and  entire  under  parts,  from  the  throat,  white, 
frequently  tingid  with  ashy  about  the  eyes;  entire  upper  parts  (and  throat)  brown- 
ish-black, darker,  and  frequently  clear  black  on  the  back ;  head  above  frequently 
dark-ashy,  separated  by  a  well-defined  line  from  the  black  of  the  other  iipper  parts, 
bill  and  feet  orange-yellow;  sides,  under  the  wings,  ashy-black;  iris  light-blue. 

Total  length,  about  twelve  and  a  half  inches;  wing,  seven  and  a  half;  tail,  two 
and  three-quarters  inches. 

This  bird  is  not  uncommon  on  the  coast  of  northern  New 
England  as  a  winter  visitor,  and  a  few  breed  on  the  islands 
atrnt  Grand  Menan.  The  nest  is  placed  in  a  burrow  in  the 
earth,  dug  by  the  birds.  "  In  all  the  burrows  that  commu- 
nicate with  each  other,  a  round  place  is  scooped  out  on  one 
side  of  the  avonue  in  the  form  of  an  oven ;  while,  in  those 
which  are  s'ngle,  this  ovenlike  place  is  found  at  the  end. 
All  the  passages  are  flattish  above  and  rounded  beneath,  aa 


.1 


THK   CCILLKMOT. 


r)07 


iGY. 


d  it  cannot  be 


ie,  an 
Icntification. 


mminK  and  diving  w.thRn-a 
Uirelv  horny,  much  flattened 
he  side  oiiliqucly  rugose  nnd 
ril  in  the  edge  of  and  in  th. 
„e  or  ratlier  weak,  (irst  qu.U 
„,y,  directed  forAVurds,  rather 
very  compact. 


liger. 


well  as  on  the  sides.  In  luiiiiy  instances,  two  hinla  aro 
found  sittiifg  iinch  on  its  nirsr  in  tlio  sanio  liolo.  Both  hinls 
work  in  dig<,Mng  the  liolo,  using  their  liills  and  feet:  they 
also  sit  alternately  on  their  ogg,  although  the  female  engages 
more  industriously  in  this  occMpa.ion,  while  th(;  male  laltors 
harder  at  the  burrow.  Bui.  one  egg  is  laid  :  this  is  at  first 
pure-white ;  bvit  it  soon  becomes  soiled  and  stained,  and 
appears  to  be  a  dirty  yellowish-white.  Its  form  is  a  i)uro 
ovoidal.  A  number  of  specimens  in  my  collection  aro  from 
2.48  to  2.^0  inches  in  length,  and  from  1.70  to  l.Go  inch  in 
their  greatest  breadth.  Some  specimens  are  marked  with 
spots  and  blotches  of  brownish-red,  —  the  proportion  of 
marked  ones  being  about  two  in  five. 


rn.Biog.,in.l05. 


\ 


1  resembling  the  two  last  specie, 
.h  eye,  and  a  narrow  transverse 
,v  upper  mandible  composed  ot 
•ith  minute  spots  or  granulations 

ts  base,  and  two  or  three  curved 
e  smooth  at  base,  and  with  abou 
■^^eak;  tail  short;  legs  and  feet 

of  the  upper  parts  of  the  body, 
dor  parts,  from  the  throat,  white, 

uppcrpurtsCand  throat)  brown- 

,e  back;  head  above  frequently 
le  black  of  the  other  upper  parts, 

,  ashy-black;  iris  light-blue. 
;i„;7sevenandahalf;tail,two 

e  coast  of  nortbeni  New 

few  breed  on  tbc  islands 
,laccdinabiirrowintbe 

le  burrows  that  commu- 
ce  is  scooped  ont  on  one 
,„oven;  while,  in  those 
fice  is  fonnd  at  the  end. 
and  rounded  beneath,  as 


Suh-Famihj  TjRiNiE. —  The   GniUo.mots. 
URIA,  MoEnuiNQ. 

Uria,  JIoERTTlSG,  Av.  Gen.  (1752).  (Type  Colymhim  f/riille,  L.) 
General  form  sliort  and  robust;  head  moderate;  bill  rather  long,  stmifjht,  some- 
what compressed,  pointed,  angle  of  the  under  mandible  distinct;  nostrils  in  agroovo 
at  base  of  upper  mandible,  the  membrane  of  wliich  is  covcmcl  with  sliort  velvet-like 
feathers;  wings  short,  pointed ;  tail  short;  legs  short  and  robust;  tarsus  shorter  than 
the  middle  toe,  compressed  ;  toes  rather  long,  fully  webbed ;  claws  rather  strong, 
curved. 

UEIA  GRTLLE.  —  Latham. 

Tbo  Guillemot. 

AIca  grytte,  Linnteus.    Sj'st.  Nat.,  I.  (1758)  130. 

Uria  grylle,  Audubon.    Orn.  Biog.,  III.  (1835)  148;  V.  027. 

DEscitimojj. 

Bill  straight,  pointed;  wing  rather  sliort,  wc.ik ;  first  quill  longest;  tail  short; 
a  large  oval  transverse  space  on  the  wing  white,  which  is  also  the  color  of  the  under 
wing  coverts  and  axillary  feathers,  outer  edge  of  the  wing  and  sliouldcr  brownish- 
black;  all  other  parts  of  the  plumage  brownish-blark,  with  a  greenish  tinge,  and 
darker  on  the  back ;  bill  black  ;  feet  red. 

Younger.  —  Under  parts,  neck,  and  rump,  wiiite;  head  above  and  back  dark- 
Brown;  large  space  of  white  on  the  wing. 

Total  length,  about  thirteen  inches:  wing,  six  and  lialf;  tail,  two  inches. 


508 


OUMTIIOLOGY   AND   OOLOGY. 


•1  Cq 

■■1 3 


8 


'J'his  spccius  is  pi-ctty  iil)iiii(liuit  on  our  coasts;  and  it  is 
naid  to  l)rc(j(l  on  rocky  islands,  from  Mount  Dosort  eastward. 
It  can  therefore  be  considered  as  a  resident  of  north-eastern 
New  England  throujih  the  year.  It  is  found  all  along 
our  slioros  in  the  winter,  hut  not  in  any  j^reat  abundance; 
and  it  is  less  common  on  the  shores  of  ^rassachusotts,  than 
on  tiiosc  of  Maine.  Lil<e  tl»e  other  Auks  and  Guillemots, 
it  is  an  expert  diver ;  and  it  obtains  its  food  by  diving  and 
swinnning  beneath  the  surface  of  the  water :  this  food,  as 
with  the  others,  consists  principally  of  fish,  which  it  seizes 
in  its  bill,  and  swallows  whole.  It  also  cats  various  small 
marine  animals  and  their  eggs  ;  and,  like  the  others,  picks 
up  such  floating  garbage  as  may  come  in  its  way. 

The  eggs,  three  in  number,  are  placed  on  the  bare  rock 
or  earth,  usually  in  fissiyt'cs  of  clitTs  or  almost  inaccessible 
ledges.  These  are  exactly  ovoidal  in  form,  and  vary  in 
color  from  a  pale  greenish-white  to  a  [)ure  pearl-white. 
This  is  covered  irregularly  with  spots  and  blotches  of  dif- 
ferent shades  of  brown  and  black,  thickest  at  the  great  end, 
where  they  are  usually  almost  confluent  into  a  ring  around 
the  whole  egg.  Besides  tliese  spots,  there  are  others  of  an 
obscure-purple  scattered  over  the  egg,  that  appear  as  if  they 
were  beneath  the  outside  of  the  shell.  The  dimensions  of 
the  eggs  of  this  species  vary  from  2.40  by  1.60  inch  to  2.25 
by  1.50  inch. 


URIA  LOMVIA.  —  Bninnich. 


Ttie  Foolish  Guillemot;  the  Murre. 

Uria  lomvia,  Briinnich.    Om.  Bor.  (1764),  27. 
Colymbus  troile,  Linna'us.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  220. 

Description. 

Bill  rather  lonfj,  poinfed,  compressed;  from  the  lateral  featliers  longer  than  the 
tarsus,  or  than  the  inner  toe  and  claw;  a  narrow  line  under  and  beliind  the  eye 
dark-brown;  head  above,  and  entire  otlier  upper  parts,  brownish  black;  sides  of  the 
ntad,  and  entire  under  parts,  white;  sides  of  the  body  under  the  wing  with  trans- 
verse stripes  of  ashy-bmwn;  under  wing  coverts  white,  secondary  quills  tipped  with 
>vhite ;  bill  blackish-brown,  paler  at  base ;  tarsi  and  feet  d.irk  greenish-brown ;  sum- 


TIIK    FOOLISH    (UIILLKMOT. 


.'i69 


Lral  featliers  longer  than  the 
[e  under  and  beliind  the  eye 
,  brownish  black;  sides  of  the 
[y  under  the  wing  with  trans- 
secondary  quills  tipped  with 
let  dark  greenish-brown;  sum- 


mer pliitna;;!',  willi  tin'  entire  liinil  and  upper  parts  of  Imdy,  ilark  sooty-brown ; 
uiiiirr  parts  white;  lu'ad  and  orbital  region  dii<ky,  without  white  stripes. 

Total  li'iigtli,  about  filtcen  inches;  wing,  seven  and  a  hull';  tail,  two  inches. 

Ilitb  — Norllierii  coasts  of  Ainerieaj  Nortlicrn  ICuropc  and  \>m. 

This  bird  is  ratlicr  common  on  our  coast  in   tlio  winter 

• 

months,  and  is  said  to  breed  in  small  iiumbors  about  tlio 
Bay  of  Fuiuly.  As  a  general  thing,  however,  it  passes  the 
season  of  incubation  in  more  northern  localities,  and  is  verv 
abundant  on  the  coast  of  Labrador,  whert;,  on  the  low 
islands,  it  breeds,  laying  a  single  egg,  like  (lie  Razor-billed 
Auk,  on  the  bare  rock  or  gravel.  It  is  impossible  to  do- 
scribe  the  egg  of  this  species  in  a  manner  tliiit  will  lead  to 
its  being  distinguished  from  that  of  the  Murre  or  Razor- 
billed  Auk. 

Audul)on  makes  the  following  observations,  which  arc,  of 
course,  of  more  value  to  the  collector  than  to  the  student, 
who  has  no  opportunities  of  visiting  the  breeding-grounds 
of  these  birds.     He  says :  — 

"  The  Foolish  Guillemot  Liys  only  a  single  egg,  which  is  the 
case  with  the  Thick-billed  Guillemot  also.  The  Razor-billed  Auk 
lays  two,  and  the  Black  Guillemot  usiudly  three.  This  is  confirmed 
by  the  fact,  that  the  Foolisli  Guillemot,  which  liiys  only  one  egg, 
plucks  the  feathers  from  its  abdomen,  which  is  thus  left  bare  over 
a  roundish  space,  just  large  enough  to  cover  its  single  g^^.  Tlie 
Tliick-billed  Guillemot  does  the  same.  Tiie  Auk,  on  the  contrary, 
forms  two  bare  spots,  separated  by  a  ridge  of  feathers.  The  Black 
Guillemot,  to  cover  her  three  eggs,  and  to  warm  them  all  at  once, 
plucks  a  space  bare  quite  across  her  belly." 

One  peculiarity  which  I  notice  in  the  eggs  of  this  species 
and  those  of  the  Murre  is,  that  they  are  generally  some- 
what pyriform  in  shape  :  but  this  is  not  persistent ;  and  the 
same  rock  may  contain  a  dcop-grcen  egg  with  brown  spots 
and  blotches,  a  light-blue  one  with  hardly  any  marks,  and 
cream-colored  ones,  drab,  reddish-white,  and  blui.sh-white, 
somo  with  only  a  few  spots  and  blotches,  and  others  thickly 
marked.     It  may  also  have  pyriform  eggs,  ovoidal,  ovate, 


570 


OnNITITOLOGY   AND  OOLOCY. 


ri3 


:9 


and  alirjost  oval  ones.  Tho  only  means  of  perfect  identi- 
fication of  either  of  these  species  is  to  visit  their  breediiij^- 
places,  and  sccuro  tho  parent  birds  on  their  nests. 

The  dimensions  vary  from  :}..50  by  2.1')  inches  to  2.95  by 
by  1.78  inch.  • 

UBIA  EINOVIA.  —  n,HmM. 

The  Murre. 

rWrt  rwimV,  nriinnich.    Orn.  Ilor.  (1704)  28. 
Una  troile,  Axxduhon.    Om.  Bor.,  III.  (1886)  143. 

Ddschiption. 

About  the  pize  of,  or  rather  liirgor  than,  Iho  preceding;  hill  rather  long,  pointed, 
compressed ;  I'rom  tlie  lateral  feiithers,  longer  than  tho  tarsus,  or  than  tho  inner  toe  and 
cliiw;  wings  rather  short :  fail  very  short;  n  narrow  line  of  white  enfireling  and  run- 
ning backwards  behind  the  eye  and  over  the  car;  head  and  entire  upper  parts  dark- 
brown,  with  a  tinge  of  ashy;  under  parts  white;  sides  with  transverse  stripes  of 
ashy-brown;  under  wing  coverts  white;  bill  black;  feet  greenish-black;  winter 
plumage,  with  tlie  tliroat  and  all  other  under  parts,  whit*";  the  white  line  behind  the 
eye  frequently  wiinting,  and  different  in  length  in  specimens. 

Total  length,  about  seventeen  inches;  wing,  seven  and  a  half  to  eight  inches; 
tail,  two  inches. 

Jfith.  —  Northern  America,  Northern  Europe,  and  Asia. 

Tho  same  remarks  are  applicable  to  this  as  to  the  Foolish 
Gnillemot.  It  is  northern  in  its  habits,  and  is  more  abun- 
dant on  the  coast  of  Maine  than  farther  south. 


MEROULUS,  Ray. 

Mergtttus,  Rat,  Syn.  Av.  (1713),  125. 

Small;  general  form  short  and  heavy;  head  rather  large ;  bill  short,  thick ;  upper 
mandible  curved,  slightly  lobed  on  its  edge;  membrane  of  the  rounded  nostril  large; 
wings  moderate  or  ratlier  short,  pointed;  first  quill  longest;  tail  short;  feet  rathet 
ihoit. 

MESGDIiUS  AhLE.  —  Linncnis. 

The  Little  Auk ;  the  Sea  Dove  ;  Sovekie. 

Alca  alle,  Linnaeus.    Syst.  Nat.,  I.  (1766)  211. 
Una  alle,  Audubon.    6m.  Bor.,  IV.  (1838)  304. 

Description. 

Small ;  head,  breast,  and  entira  upper  parts,  brownish-black,  inclining  to  fuligi- 
nous on  the  head  and  breast;  under  parts  from  the  breast  white;  a  narrow  line  of 
white  over  the  eye ;  secondaries  tipped  with  white ;  scapulars  edged  with  wh  ie ; 


THK  LITTLK   ADK. 


07l 


this  as  to  the  Foolish 


jiiilor  wiiip;  covorl*  (lnrk-n»Iiy;  flaiikii  with  lonjfitiulinnl  otripcs  of  browniili-bUrk; 
hill  lilai  I  ;  t'cct  |).ili  -n'dillHJi ;  wf"lp'<  of  tin'»  il;irk;  wiiidr  pliiniiiK''  ""''  y"""ir.  with 
the  thruat  niul  other  umliT  part?,  white,  txti'inlii)({  soinnwliBt  on  tlic  ."iili's  (if  Iho 
neck. 

Total  length,  nhoiit  i>cvpn  and  ft  lialf  liiiheR;  wing,  four  ami  ft  half;  fail,  otio  nnd 
a  rpiarter  lin  li. 

Oiiu  of  tli«  most  uhmidaiit  of  tlie  sen-birds  of  iiorlliiTii  America  and  Kiirope, 
utrnyin^  south  in  the  winter  ooi'siionally  to  the  conxtA  uf  the  Miildlu  States. 

This  curious  litllo  bird  is  not  uncommon  on  our  coast  in 
winter.  In  severe  storms,  it  is  occasionally  blown  far 
inland;  audit  has  been  killed  in  the  Unibajjio^;  Lakes,  iu 
the  north-western  port  of  ^faino.  i  know  but  little  of  its 
haljits.     Wilson  says  :  — 

"  The  Little  Auk  is  said  to  l)e  but  a  rare  visitant  of  the 
British  Isles.  It  is  met  ■with  in  various  parts  of  the  North, 
even  as  far  as  ^^pitzbcrgen ;  is  common  in  Greenland,  in 
company  with  the  Black-billed  Auk,  and  feeds  upon  tho 
same  kind  of  food.  The  Greenlanders  call  it  the  Ice-bird, 
from  the  circumstance  of  its  being  the  hiirl)inger  of  ice.  It 
lays  two  bluish-white  eggs,  larger  than  those  of  the  Pigeon. 
It  flics  quick,  and  dives  well,  and  is  always  dipping  its  bill 
into  the  water  while  swimming  or  at  rest  on  that  element ; 
walks  better  on  the  land  than  others  of  the  genus.  It  grows 
fat  in  the  stormy  season,  from  the  waves  bringing  plenty  of 
crabs  and  small  fish  within  its  reach.  It  is  not  a  vciy  crafty 
bird,  and  may  be  easily  taken." 


ish-black,  inclining  to  fuligi- 

ireast -white ;  a  narrow  line  of 

scapulars  edged  with  whte; 


NOTES. 

I  conclude  herewith  Mr.  Coupe. '3  notes  on  tho  foregoing 
species,  made  at  Quebec,  Lower  Canada :  — 

ANSER  HTPEBBOEEDS,  —  Common  on  the  St.  Lawrence  in  the  fall. 

BEENICLA  CANADENSIS.  —  This  is  ouv  most  common  species.  It  goes 
north  and  west  to  breerl.  They  breed  abundantly  in  the  swamps  of  Illinois. 
A  few  breed  in  Anticosti ;  and  I  believe  thev  are  to  be  found  breeding  in 
Labrador 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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ORNITHOLOGY  AND  OOLOGY. 


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8 


ANAS  BOSCHAS.  —  Uncommon. 

A.  OBSCDBA.  —  This  duck  is  very  common  here.  It  is  truly  a  nDithen 
ipccies.     It  breeds  in  the  swamps  ac\jacent  to  this  city. 

DAFILA  ACUTA.  —  Common  in  spring :  a  few  visit  us  in  the  fall. 

NETTION  CABOLINENSIS.  — Common.    Breeds. 

QUERQUEDULA  DISCOES.  — Uncommon. 

SPATULA  CLTPEATA.  —  Uncommon. 

MABECA  AHEBICANA.  —  The  adult  bird  is  seldom  seen  in  this  latitude. 

AIX  SPONSA.  —  Sometimes  common.    Breeds. 

FULIZ  HABILA.  —  The  young  are  abundant  on  the  St.  Lawrence  during 
antunm.    Tliey  breed  north-west  of  Quebec. 

F.  AFFINIS.  —  Occasional  specimens  are  shot  at  Sorel  and  Three  Rivers. 
It  is  more  abundant  in  Western  Canada. 

F.  COLLABIS.  —  Occasional. 

ATTHTA  AMEEICAHA.  — Occasional. 

BUGEPHALA  AHEBICANA.  —  Very  common  in  spring  and  fall.  Breedi 
hi  Canada. 

B.  ISLANDICA. — Adult  birds  are  occasionally  shot  on  the  lakes.  The 
young  are  abundant  on  the  St.  Lawrence  during  the  early  part  of  winter.  I 
have  seen  the  adult  on  Lac  k  la  Philip  in  July. 

B.  ALBEOLA.  —  Common  in  spring  and  fhll. 

HISTRIONICUS  TORQUATUS.  —  Common  on  the  north  shore  of  the  St 
Lawrence.  A  beautiful  adult  male  was  she  in  the  spring,  on  the  Montmo- 
renci  River,  near  Quebec. 

HARELDA  6LACIALIS.  —  Occasional  near  Quebec.  Common  on  the 
upper  lakes  in  spring  and  fall. 

PELIONETTA  PERSPICILLATA.  —  Very  common  in  the  fall  at  MilW 
Vaclies,  lower  St.  Lawrence. 

SOMATESIA  MOLLISSIMA.  —  Common  on  the  north  shore  of  the  St. 
Lawrence.    Breeds  on  islands  in  the  river  below  the  Saguenay. 

MEROUS  AMERICANUS,  —  Common.    Breeds.  V 

If.  SERRATOR.  —  Common  in  spring  and  fall.  '. 

LOPHODYTES  CUCULLATUS.  —  Adult  is  occasionally  seen.  Young  visit 
Uie  St.  Lawrence  in  the  fall.    Breeds  on  the  margins  of  nortliem  lakes. 

LARUS  AROENTATUS.  —  Common  on  the  St.  Lawrence  in  spring  and 
M.    Breeds  on  our  mountain  lakes. 


NOTES. 


573 


It  is  truly  a  nDrthert 


t  U8  in  the  foil. 


seen  in  this  latitude. 


LABDS  DELAWABENSIS.  —  The  yo  mg  are  occasionally  seen  hovering 
over  tlie  river,  opposite  the  city,  in  aut  .mn.    Breeds  in  Labrador. 

CHB0IC0CEPHALU3  PHILADELPHIA.  —  Tlie  young  of  this  Gull  are  com- 
mon in  the  St.  Lawrence  during  autumn.  Adult  rare.  Tliey  are  supposed 
to  breed  on  the  islands  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 

STEENA  WILSONII.  —  The  young  are  common  in  the  autumn.  Adult 
birds  are  occasionally  seen  on  their  way  to  the  upper  lakes. 

COLTMBOS  TOEQlJATr.S.  —  Common  on  all  our  northern  lakes.    Breeds. 

UBIA  LOMVIA. — This  species  makes  an  occasional  foolish  visit  to  the  fresh 
waters  of  tlie  St.  Lawrence.  In  the  fall  of  1866,  hundreds  were  destroyed 
by  the  inhabitants,  who  sold  them  to  hucksters  to  exhibit  on  the  market  as 
VI  article  of  food. 


spring  and  fall.    Breeds 


ebec.     Common  on  the 


an  in  the   fell   at  MilW 


Lawrence  in  spring  and 


^ 


f4 


8 


APPENDIX. 


I  nicuE  append  the  following  list  of  additional  species,  which  occur 
or  have  occurred  within  the  limits  of  New  England.  As  will  be 
perceived,  the  greater  number  can  be  regarded  only  as  occasional 
or  accidental  visitors ;  and,  indeed,  some  of  the  speaies  are  deemed 
by  ornithologists  as  of  doubtful  existence,  —  as,  for  instance,  Small- 
headed  Flycatcher,  Wood  Wren,  &c. 
Reference  has  been  made  to  the  following  works :  — 

Birds  of  Massachusetts.    By  W.  B.  O.  Peabody.    1839. 

Birds  of  Long  Island.    By  J.  P.  Giraud.     1841. 

Birds  of  Vermont.     By  Zadock  Thompson.     1853. 

Catalogue  of  Birds  of  Essex  County,  Mass.  By  F.  W.  Putnam. 
P  jblished  in  Proceedings  of  Essex  Institute.     Vol.  I.     1856. 

Catalogue  of  Birds  found  at  Norway,  Me.  By  A.  E.  Verrill. 
Published  in  Proceedings  of  Essex  Institute.     Vol.  III.     1862. 

Cataloou  '  OF  Birds  found  at  Calais,  Me.,  and  about  the  Islands 
in  the  Ba>  of  Fundy.  By  George  A.  Boardman.  Published  in  Pro- 
ceedings of  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.     Vol.  IX.     1862. 

Catalogue  of  Birds  found  at  Springfield,  Mass.  By  J.  A.  Allen. 
Published  in  Proceedings  of  Essex  Institute.     Vol.  IV.     1864. 

Catalogue  of  Birds  of  Massachusetts.    By  E.  A.  Samuels.     1864. 

Catalogue  of  the  Birds  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Watervillk, 
Me.  By  Professor  C.  E.  Hamlin,  in  Report  of  Maine  Board  of  Agri- 
culture.    1865 

Catalogue  of  Birds  of  New  England.  By  Elliott  Coues,  M.D. 
Pubhshed  in  Proceedings  of  Essex  Institute.    Vol.  V.     1867. 

Notes  on  some  of  the  Rarer  Birds  of  Massachusetts.  By  J.  A, 
Allen.     Published  in  American  Naturalist.    Vol.  III.     1869. 

Article  by  John  Burroughs  in  Atlantic  Monthly.    June,  1869. 


576 


APPENDIX. 


CATHARTES  ADBA.  Turkey  Buzzard,  —  Accidental.  One  taken  ai 
Calais,  Me.,  —  George  A.  lioaidiuan ;  two  in  Massai  liusetts,  1863. 

CATHAETES  ATEATU3.  Black  Vulture.  —  Accideiital.  One  taken  at 
Swampsi'ott,  Mass.,  in  November,  18A0,  by  S.  .lillson ;  one  at  (lloii- 
cester,  Mass.,  on  Sei>t.  2H,  1803,  by  William  Iluntslbid;  one  in  Hudson, 
Mass. ;  others  seen,  — S.  Jillson;  one  near  Calais,  Me.,  —  G.  A.  Board- 
man. 

FALCO  SACEB.  Jer  Falcon.  Iceland  Falcon.  —  Hare  winter  visitor,  al- 
most aceidjiital  in  southern  portions.  One  killed  at  Seekonk  Plain.s, 
Mass.,  about  1810,  by  Jillson  ;  one  taken  in  the  winter  of  18C1-0,  near 
Providence,  H.T.,  by  Mr.  Newton  Dexter.  'J'he  two  specii^s  heretofore 
considered  distinct  —  viz.,  Falr.o  Camiienns  and  F.  lalandicus  —  are 
now  considered  as  belonging  to  the  present  species. 

ASCHIBUTEO  SAMCTIJOHANNIS,  Black  Hawk;  and  ABCHIBUTEO  LA- 
60PUS,  Eough-legged  Hawk. — J.  A.  Allen  gi\es,  in  his  article  on  the 
"Rarer  Birds  of  Massachusetts,"  the  following  extract,  from  a  letter 
written  by  Dr.  William  Wood,  in  relation  to  these  species,  to  prove  that 
they  are  identical :  — 

"  I  have,"  he  says,  "all  shades  of  color,  from  the  light  to  the  black, 
and  I  am  unable  to  find  the  dividing  line ;  both  have  the  same  measure- 
ments, the  same  claws  and  bill,  the  same  habits,  come  and  leave  at  the 
same  time,  and  hunt  together.  I  have  tlicm  almost  black,  with  the  faint 
markings  of  the  lighter  bird,  showing,  tO'  my  mind,  that  the  ligliter  mark- 
ings become  extinct  as  the  black  increases,  or  as  the  bird  increases  in  age. 
Those  who  claim  that  they  are  distinct  say,  that  in  some  localities  the 
Rough-legs  are  common,  and  no  Black  Hawks  are  to  be  seen.  This 
proves  nothing.  The  young  of  the  Red-throated  Diver  are  very  conunon 
in  Long-Island  Sound,  yet  the  adult  is  never  seen  there.  So  it  is  with 
the  Crested  Grebe:  the  young  are  found  here  in  winter,  never  the 
adult." 

In  another  letter.  Dr.  Wood  says:  " The  Rough-legged  Falcon  and 
Black  Hawk  are  the  same,  I  have  taken  and  examined,  I  presume,  forty 
specimens.  They  are  the  same  bird,  but  not  of  the  same  age.  The  black 
is  the  adult.  So  gradually  do  they  become  more  black  till  jet-black  is 
reached,  that  I  will  defy  any  one  to  draw  the  separating  line." 

STEIX  PBATIRCOLA.  Barn  Owl — Given  by  Thompson,  on  authority 
of  Dr.  Brewer,  as  being  not  only  found  in  Vermont,  but  also  breeding 
there.  This  is,  of  course,  incoi*rect.  Accidental  visitor  from  the  South. 
One  taken  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  about  18C3,  by  Mr.  James  Teal ;  one  taken 
at  "  Sachem's  Head,"  Conn.,  Oct.  28,  1865,  —  Dr.  William  Wood;  one 
at  Springfield,  Mass.,  May,  1868, — J.  A.  Allen. 


.M'PKNUIX. 


01  ( 


It  111.      Oi>c   taken  ai 
inhusctts,  1803. 

lental.  One  taken  at 
.HUson;  one-  at  (Uou- 
ilord;  one  in  Hudson, 
,Me..-a.A.lioard- 

late  winter  visitor,  al- 
•d  at  Seekonk  Plains, 
winter  of  18G1-;-),  near 
two  species  hcretolore 
d  F.  Idaudimii  —  &r'i 
es. 

and   AECHIBOTEO    LA- 

in  his  article  on  the 

r  extract,  from  a  letter 

se  species,  to  prove  that 

m  the  light  to  the  black, 
I  have  the  same  measure- 
s,  come  and  leave  at  the 
nost  black,  with  the  faint 
id,  that  the  lighter  mark- 
the  bird  increases  in  age. 
hat  in  some  localities  the 
:s  are  to  be  seen.    This 
Diver  are  very  common 
peen  there.     So  it  is  witii 
[re   in  winter,  never   the 

Lugh-legged  Falcon  and 
Lmined.  I  presume,  forty 
Ithe  same  age.  The  black 
re  black  till  jet-black  is 

kparating  line." 
Thompson,  on  authority 
Irmout,  but  also  breeding 
Ll  visitor  from  the  South. 
|r.  James  Teal;  one  taken 

Dr.  William  Wo  3d;  one 
In. 


HYCTALE  ACADICA.  Saw- Whet  Owl. —  The  fnllowiiip  account  of  the 
breeding  liahits  of  this  little  owl  is  kindly  fin-nislieil  me  by  Riciiard 
Christ,  of  Nazarclli,  I'a. :  — 

"  This,  the  smallest  of  all  our  owls,  is  al>o  the  most  rare,  but  a  single 
specimen  being  seen  in  a  period  of  several  years.  It  is  very  tame  when 
found,  permitting  one  to  approach  very  chise  to  it  hcfDre  living  away. 
I  am  inclined  to  think  that  it  sees  less  in  the  daytime  than  any  otliei 
species  of  our  owls,  for  one  can  touch  it  without  being  noticed,  the  bird 
taking  flight  more  from  alarm  to  its  sense  of  hearing  than  any  other 
cause. 

It  generally  frequents  stone  quarries  or  piles  of  rocks,  beneath  which 
it  takes  shelter;  and  it  is  from  this  habit  that  the  bird  here  is  known  by 
the  name  of  "  stone  owl."  On  the  25th  of  April,  1867, 1  was  so  fortunate 
as  to  find  the  nest  of  one  of  these  birds.  It  was  placed  or  located  in  the 
hollow  of  a  tree,  about  twenty  Teet  from  the  ground ;  the  entrance  to  the 
hole  was  very  small,  scarcely  two  inches  in  diameter.  On  climbing  the 
tree  and  looking  into  the  hollow,  I  discovered  sitting  on  the  bottom  what 
I  supposed  might  be  a  snail  owl.  Uncertain  as  to  the  truth,  I  introduced 
a  small  stick  into  the  hole,  and  turned  the  bird  over  upon  her  side,  she 
making  no  struggle  whatever,  but  remaining  perfectly  still  as  if  dead. 
I  discovered  that  she  was  sitting  upon  a  single  egg.  Supposing  that  she 
had  but  just  commenced  laying.  I  left  her,  and  did  not  molest  her  again 
for  several  days ;  on  the  fiflth  day  after,  J  again  examined  the  nest,  and 
found  the  bird  on  her  egg,  none  other  having  been  laid.  I  enlarged  the 
hole,  and  took  the  egg,  leaving  the  owl  quietly  sitting  on  the  rotten  chips 
which  formed  the  bottom  of  the  nest. 

The  egg  was  white,  with  a  bluish  tint,  like  many  of  the  other  owls' 
eggs,  nearly  globular  in  form,  and  considerably  smaller  than  the  egg  of 
the  Red  or  Mottled  owl." 

CENTOaUS  CAHOLINUS.  Eed-bellied  Woodpecker.  — Given  in  Allen's  list 
as  accidental.  He  '*  saw  one.  May  13,  1863;  and  it  has  been  taken  sev- 
eral times  in  Connecticut,  but  occurs  in  New  England  only  as  a  straggler." 
Accidental  summer  visitor,  and  only  in  more  southern  portions. 

AEGTTBIA  MACULATA. — A  South  American  Humming  Bird,  a  single 
individual  of  which  was  captured  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  August,  186."), 
by  Mr.  William  Brewster.    Entirely  accidental. 

TTRANNDS  DOMIKICEKSIS.  Gray  King  Bird. — Entirely  accidental ;  from 
the  South.  One  shot  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  October,  1869,  by  Charles  I. 
Goodale. 

EMPIDONAX  FLAVIVENTBI8.  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher.  —  A  not  com- 
mor  spring  and  autumn  migrant  in  southern,  and  summer  resident  in 


678 


APPENDIX. 


nortliern  scctionu.  Is  generally  found  in  tliick  undergrowth  in  swampy 
localities.  It  is  said  to  have  a  more  musical  note  than  other  species  of 
this  geiuis  ;  and,  according  to  William  Brewster,  of  Cambridge,  its  song 
somewhat  resembles  that  of  the  Wood  Peweo,  but  it  is  not  so  prolonged, 
and  much  more  subdued. 

TDSDUS  NJEVinS.  Varied  Thrush.  —  But  one  instance  on  record  of 
its  capture  in  New  England ;  at  Ipswich,  Mass.,  December,  1864.  Acci- 
dental ;  from  the  West. 

SAXICOLA  (ENANTBE.  Stone  Chat.  —  Not  as  yet,  I  believe,  actually  ob- 
tained within  the  limits  of  New  England ;  but  as  it  has,  according  to 
Coucs,  been  found  in  Nova  Scotia,  Labrador,  and  on  Long  Island,  it 
may  occur.  The  species  is  a  straggler  from  Europe,  and  entirely  acci- 
dental. 

POLIOPTILA  CiEBULEA.  Blue-Oray  Gnateatcher.  —  An  accidental  sum- 
mer visitor  to  soutiiern  portions  of  New  England.  No  recent  instance 
of  its  occurrence  on  record. 

LOPHOPHARES  BICOLOB.  Crested  Titmouse.  —  An  accidental  species, 
same  as  the  preceding. 

TBOOLODTTES  AMEBICANDS.  Wood  Wren. — I  have  never  met  with  this 
species ;  but  was  induced  to  include  it  in  my  list  of  Massachusetts  birds, 
published  in  18G4,  because  several  collectors  and  others  had  informed  me 
that  it  was  occasionally  found  here.  Thompson  and  others  include  it  in 
their  catalogues,  and  its  egg  is  even  said  to  have  been  found  by  Dr. 
Brewer.  I  doubt  that  the  species  is  well  established,  and  have  no  knowl- 
edge of  an  authentic  specimen  in  any  collection. 

GEOTHLTPIS  PHILADELPHIA.  Hourning  Warbler.  —  Chiefly  a  rare  spring 
and  autumn  migrant ;  but  it  breeds  in  northern  and  elevated  portions  of 
New  England.  A  nest  said  to  belong  to  this  species,  found  by  Mr.  John 
Burroughs  about  the  head-waters  of  Delaware  River,  in  the  Catflkill 
Mountains,  N.Y.,  is  thus  described  by  him  in  the  "Atlantic"  for  June, 
1869 :  — 

"  It  was  placed  in  a  bunch  of  ferns,  and  about  six  inches  from  the 
ground.  It  was  quite  a  massive  nest,  composed  entirely  of  the  stalks 
and  leaves  of  dried  grass,  with  an  inner  lining  of  fine,  dark  brown  roots. 
The  eggs,  three  in  number,  were  of  light  flesh-color,  imiformly  specked 
with  fine  brown  specks.  The  cavity  of  the  nest  was  so.  deep  that  the 
back  of  the  sitting  bird  sank  below  the  edge." 

According  to  this  writer,  the  song  of  tliis  bird  resembles  that  of  the 
Maryland  Yellow  Throat.  Like  that  species,  it  gives  a  preference  to 
damp  places. 


APPKNDIX. 


579 


-An  accidental  species, 


ibout  six  inches  from  the 
sed  entirely  of  the  stalks 
of  fine,  dark  brown  roots, 
i-color,  uniformly  specked 
est  was  so.  deep  that  the 


PROTONOTABIA  CITBEA.  Prothonotary  Warbler.  —  Hut  one  occurrcnco 
in  New  Enn;Iand,  —  male  bird,  obtained  iii  Oirtober,  at  Calais,  Me.,  by 
6.  A.  Boardman.     Accidental.     A  soutliurn  species. 

HELMIRTHOPHAOA  GHBTSOPTEBA.  Oolden-winged  Warbler.  — As  !<tated 
by  Mr.  H.  A.  Turdic,  in  the  "American  Naturalist,"  Vol.  III.  p.  497, 
Massachusetts  is  probably  about  the  northern  limit  of  this  species,  and  it 
is  a  not  uncommon  summer  visitor  in  that  .State,  instead  of  a  spring  and 
autumn  migrant.  He  also  mentions  the  discovery  of  the  nest  in  West 
Newton,  by  Mr.  C.  .T.  Maynard,  thus  confirming  his  belief  that  this 
warbler  nidified  with  us. 

In  the  same  volume  of  tiie  above  magazine,  pp.  675-6,  Mr.  J.  A.  Alleu 
thus  describes  the  nest  found  by  Mr.  Maynard :  — 

The  nest  was  placed  "  on  the  ground,  in  a  tract  of  coarse  weeds  and 
ferns,  near  a  swampy  thicket,  and  but  a  few  rods  from  a  public  highway. 
It  was  placed  entirely  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  the  birds 
seem  to  have  made  no  special  effort  to  conceal  it.  It  was  composed  ex- 
ternally of  dried  oak-le.ives  and  the  bark  of  the  grape-vine,  and  rather 
roughly  lined  with  fine  grass  and  a  few  horse-hairs.  He  says  it  is  large 
for  the  size  of  the  bi;d,  and  somewhat  reminds  one  of  the  nest  of  the 
Maryland  Yellow  Throat.  It  is  a  little  smaller  at  the  top,  where  the 
internal  diameter  is  less  than  two  inches,  while  in  the  middle  it  is  two  and 
a  quarter.  The  eggs  were  five  in  number,  including  a  Cow  Hunting's 
egg  that  these  watchful  parasites  had  introduced." 

These  eggs  are  described  as  varj'ing  from  6G. 100th  inch  in  length  by 
55.100th  inch  in  breadth  to  66.100th  inch  by  .O3.100th  inch,  and  being 
more  or  less  spotted  and  blotched  with  brown,  over  a  wliite  grouml 
color. 

HELMINTHOPHAOA  CELATA.  Orange  Crowned  Warbler.  —  Accidental. 
One  obtained  at  Springfield,  Mass. ;  others  seen.  May,  1863,  by  J.  A. 
Allen.     A  western  species. 

SEIUBUS  LUDOTICIANUS.  Large-billed  Water  Thrush.  — Very  rare,  if 
not  accidental,  summer  visitor.  One  taken  at  Norway,  Me.,  May, 
1865,  by  Irving  Frost;  one  at  Waterville,  Me.  1865, — Professot 
C.  E.  Hamlin;  one  on  Mount  Tom,  Mass.,  April  28,  1869,  by  J.  A. 
Allen. 

DENDBOICA  CARULEA.  Blue  Warbler.  —  Perhaps  an  accidental  summer 
visitor  to  extreme  southern  portions  of  New  England.  No  recent  in- 
itances  on  record  of  its  occurrence. 

DENSBOICA  MACULOSA.  Black  and  Tellov  Warbler.  —  The  following 
description  of  a  nest  and  eggs  of  this  species  is  kindly  furnished  me  b; 


580 


APPENDIX. 


li 

'■/ 

i] 

4 


Mr.  R.  Deaiie,  of  Cambridge,  Mans.     Tho  tipeciincns  were  found  nl 
Upton,  Maine,  .Juno  10,  1H7I»:  — 

"The  nest  was  placed  in  a  forked  branch  of  a  low  spruce  about  thn-u 
feet  from  the  ground,  on  a  rising  piece  of  land  leading  from  a  wood  path 
The  nest,  which  contained  four  eg<;8,  was  constructed  of  dry  grass,  spruco 
twigs,  roots,  &c.,  and  was  lined  with  fine  black  roots,  the  whole  l)eing 
quite  a  coarse  structure  for  so  dainty  a  looking  Warbler. 

"Tho  eggs  wore  more  tipiierical  than  any  Warbler's  I  have  seen,  tho 
ground  being  a  creamy  white,  and  blotched  sparsely  over  with  largo 
■pots  of  lilac  and  umber. 

"The  dimensions  are  as  follows:  .(J2  by  ..52  inch;  .61  by  ..52  inch; 
.62  by  .60  inch ;  .G.}  by  .62  inch." 

MTIODIOCTBS  MISniDS.  "Small -headed  Flycatcher."  —  Although  Dr. 
Brewer  informed  Mr.  Peabody  that  "  it  has  been  found  in  Ipswich,  ISTass., 
and  that  he  picked  up  a  specimen,  evidently  just  dead,  on  the  step  of  his 
door  in  Brooklino,  Mass.,"  I  think  that  its  occurrence  in  New  England 
must  be  regarded  as  very  doubtful,  even  if  the  species  exists,  which  many 
naturalists  deny.  Some  one  of  the  species  of  Empidona.x,  as  Dr.  Coues 
remarks,  was  probably  mistaken  for  it. 

MTIODIOCTZS  OANADEHSIS.  Canada  Flycatcher. — This  species  probably 
more  often  nests  on  the  ground  and  in  damp  situations  than  elsewhere. 
A  nest  found  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  some  years  since,  by  George  Wells,  is  thus 
described,  Vol.  VI.  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist. :  "  The  nest  was 
found  in  low  swampy  ground,  and  was  built  at  the  foot  of  a  tussock  of 
thick  grass,  on  the  ground.  It  was  constructed  almost  entirely  of  leaves 
of  the  white  pine,  so  loosely  arranged  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  sew 
them  together,  in  order  to  preserve  it.  The  eggs,  five  in  number,  in 
shape  arc  an  oblong  ovoid,  3.4ths  of  an  inch  in  length  by  O.ICths  in 
breadth ;  their  ground  color  is  a  bluish-white,  irregularly  marked  with 
dots  and  small  blotches  of  reddish-brown." 

FTBANOA  iESTIVA.  Summer  Bed  Bird.  —  Accidental  summer  visitor  to 
Bouthorn  portions.  Two  taken  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  April  21,  1852,  by  S. 
.lillson;  one  taken  in  Framingham,  Mass.,  May;  one  in  Amherst,  Mass., 
August,  1867.  , 

COLLTBIO  EZCnBITOBOIDES.  White-ramped  Shrike.  —  Said  by  Nuttall 
to  have  been  seen  in  Massachusetts  in  winter.     Doubtful 


VIBEO  FHILADELPHICDS.  Philadelphia  Vireo.  —  Very  rare  summer  visi« 
tor;  only  one  instance  of  its  occurrence  on  record.  Waterville,  Me., 
—  Professor  C.  E.  Hamlin. 


Al'l'E.NDIX. 


681 


icni  wero  found  at 


nth;  .fil  by  .52  inch; 


Shrike.  — Said  by  Nuttall 
Doubtful 


OROHDESTES  ORAMMACA.  Lark  Fineh.  —  KiitircU  accidiiitiil ;  but  one 
biitani'u  of  its  ocfui'iLMico  rt'curdi'd,  —  S,  Jill.iun,  (iloucuster,  Ma^•  , 
1845.     A  westurn  tipucies. 

CGNTBONTX  BAIBDII.  Baird  s  Sparrow.  —  Atciilunlul.  One  iipetiiufu 
obtained  at  l[)s\vii'h,  Mass.,  by  C.  J.  Maynard,  Duu.  4,  18C8.  A  uurtli- 
weHtcrn  sjk'cIus. 

MELOSPIZA  LINCOLHII.  Lincoln's  Sparrow.  —  Accidental ;  but  five  in< 
■tancea  of  itH  capture  on  record.  Three  at  Spi'in;;ticld,  Ma>H,,  by  Mr, 
J.  A.  Allen,  May,  1800,  1UU3,  IHOt;  twu  at  lludsun,  Maaii.,  by  8.  .lill- 
Bon,  May,  18(57,  1808. 

PASSER  DOMESTICA.  Europ«an  Housd  Sparrow.  —  Introduced  fmni 
Europe,  and  will  probably  become  f^encrally  distributed,  at  least  in  the 
more  uouthern  portions  uf  New  England. 

GDIBACA  C£SDLGA.  Blue  Grosbeak.  —  Accidental  visitor  from  iIh> 
South;  but  one  instance  oC  its  occurieneo  on  record, — George  A. 
Boardnian,  Calais,  Me.,  1861,  when  several  were  seen. 

CABDINALIS  VIE0INIANU3.  Caraiaal  Grosbeak.  Red  Bird.  —  Accidental 
vi.sitor  from  the  South ;  but  three  recent  instances  of  its  occurrence. 
Four  specimens  taken  near  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  October,  1800.  Seen 
by  Mr.  W.  II.  Niles,  at  Belchertown,  Mass.,  October,  1808;  and  at 
Southampton,  Mass.,  May  5,  ISG'J. 

XANTHOCEPHALUS  ICTEROCEFHALDS.  Tellow-headed  Blackbird.  —  Acci- 
dental visitor  from  the  West.  One  taken  in  Watertown,  Mass.,  in 
October,  1869. 

LAOOPUS  ALBnS.  White  Ptarmigan.  —  Rare  winter  visitor  in  northern 
New  England. 

HERODIAS  EQRETTA.  Great  White  Heron — Accidental  visitor  from  the 
South.  Several  instances  of  its  capture  in  southern  portions  of  New 
England. 

FLORIDA  CiGRULEA.  Little  Blue  Heron.  —  Of  rare  occurrence.  Specimt  n 
taken  in  Barnstable,  Mass.,  in  spring  of  1861.  Accidental;  from  the 
South.     . 

NYCTHESODIDS  VIOLACEDS.  Tellow-crowned  Night  Heron.  —  Accidental 
visitor  from  the  South.  One  taken  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  by  Mr.  N.  Vickary, 
October,  1862. 

IBIS  ORDII.  Glossy  Ibis.  —  Accidental  visitor  from  the  South.  Two 
recent  instances  of  its  occurrence  recorded,  —  Nantucket,  September, 
1869,  one  specimen ;  New  Hampshire,  in  October,  18o8,  by  I)r  Palmer 


AIM'KND'Z 


HIMAKTOPUS  HIOEIOOLLIS.  Black  neoked  Stilt.  — Hut  ono  or  two  occiir< 
rciiri'ii,  ill  our  liiiiitM,  on  rut'ord.     A  iiouthern  apucii!*. 

PHALABOPDS  WILSOHII.  Wilion'i  Pbalarope— (iivcn  in  Dr.  Coucs*  Hat 
tut  "  ViTy  ruru,  purhapn  only  aiuidt-ntul,  and  cbiully  durir^  iui  inigra* 
tions." 

rUALAROPtrS  FULIGABID8.  Red  Phalarops — Oucuni  raruly,  along  the 
coaot,  dining  ita  inigrutions. 

MIOSOPALAUA  HIUANTOPUS.  Stilt  Sandpiper. ->  P.xcetuliiigly  rar« 
■unmier  visitor.  Two  apticiinuns  obtained  nt  Hvu  B'jat-b,  N.II.,  by  Mr. 
William  Iiruw8tur,  latu  in  Augusta  of  18()8-ti'J. 

PHILOUACHUS  PUONAZ.  Buff.  — One  or  two  instances  given  by  Board* 
man.     Acrcidental  visitor  from  Kurnpu. 

OALLINULA  OALEATA,  Common  Oallinult ;  and  0.  MARTINICA,  Purple  QaS* 
linule.  —  Aru  botli  rare  vi.sitors  I'roiii  the  South. 

ANSES  OAMBELLII.  American  White-flronted  Oooia  — Given  in  Dr. 
Coups'  list  08  "  Very  rare,  and  perhaps  atcidental,  in  winter." 

BEBNIOLA  HUTCHIHSII.  Hutehinion'a  Ooose.  —  Given  in  Dr.  Coues'  list 
as  "  Cliiefly  spring  and  autumn  migrant.     Not  abundant." 

NETTION  CBEOCA.  English  Teal.  —  A  wanderer  from  Europe.  But  one 
or  two  instances  of  its  occurrence  on  record. 

FULIX  00LLABI3.  Biag-neoked  Duck.  —  Spring  and  autumn.  Not  com* 
raoD. 

CAMPTOLiEHnS  LABBADOBIUS.    Labrador  Duck.  — Rare  winter  visitor. 

MEBOELLUS  ALBEI LDS.  Srnev.^ — Very  rare.  Have  seen  a  specimen 
that  was  killed  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  as  I  was  informed ;  ana  Mr.  Chas. 
W.  Lovett,  Jr.,  of  Boston,  assures  me  that  Jie  once  met  with  one  at 
Point  Shirloy,  Mass.  A  straggler  from  the  northern  parts  of  the  Old 
World. 

SOLA  FIBEB-  Booby.  —  Entirely  a(;cidental ;  but  two  instances  of  its 
occurrence,  and  those  not  recent.     A  southern  species. 

PELECAHUS  FUSCUS.  Brown  Pelican.  —  Accidental;  from  the  South. 
Only  one  specimen  obtained.  Brant  Point,  Nantucket ;  others  seen,  — 
.T.  A.  Allen. 

PELECAHUS  EBTTHROBTNCHUS.  American  Pelican.  —  Has  been  taken 
in  New  England.  "  One  or  two  instances."  Calais,  Me.,  —  G.  A. 
Boardman.    Accidental. 

STEBCORABIUS  CEPPHUS.  Buffon's  Skua,  Long-tailed  Jager.  —  A  not 
uncommon  fall  and  winter  visitor. 


Al'I'KNDIX. 


688 


ind  autumn.    Not  coin- 
Hare  winter  visitor. 


IiiSUS  OLATTCDS.  Olauooui  Oull.  Burcomaitor  Oull.  —  A  wry  rare  winter 
viiiitor. 

L4B0S  LEDCOPTEBUS.   Whita  winced  Oull.  —  \  rare  winter  viiiitnr. 

LABOS  DELAWABEHSIS  BioK-bllled  Oull  —  Nut  unioiumon  in  winter. 
Brueds  on  tliA  coast  of  Maine  rarely, 

STEBNA  ACUFLAVIDA.  Cabot's  Tern.  —  Accidental ;  from  tlie  Soiitli. 
One  obtained  at  Chatlmin,  Miiks.,  August,  IMG.'i,  by  Mr.  NatlKuiirl 
Vif.kary. 

STEBNA  FULIOIMOSA.  Sooty  Tern  — Hat*  liecn  met  with  on  MuKkegeel 
Island,  Mass.,  in  the  bree<ling  season.     A  southern  species. 

STEBNA  PABAOISEA.  Roseate  Tern. — Smniner  visitor  to  southern  por^ 
tions  of  New  Knghmd. 

PBOCELLARIUS  OLACIALIS.  Fulmar  Petrel.  —  Given  by  Coues  as  ''A 
rare  winter  visitant  along  the  coast." 

THALASIDBOMA  PELAOICA.  Stormy  Petrel.  —  Rare  in  winter  ofT  the 
coast. 

PDFFINUS  MAJOR.  Greater  Shearwater.  —  Not  unconunon  in  winter  ofT 
the  coast. 

PDFFINUS  ANQLORDM,  Mank's  Shearwater;  and  P.  FnLIOINOSUS,  Sooty 
Shearwater.  —  Arc  occasionally  met  with  in  winter  off  the  coast. 

UOEMON  CIBBHATA.  Tufted  Puffin.  —  Very  rare,  and  probably  acci- 
dental; in  winter,  on  south-eastern  coast  of  Maine.  A  north  Pacilie 
species. 

COLTMBDS  AECTICU3.  Blaok-throated  Diver.  —  Is  given  in  several  lists 
as  occurring  in  winter.  Given  in  Putnam's  list  as  "  common  in  young 
plumage  in  winter,  rare  in  adult  plumage."  I  have  never  nut  with  an 
undoubted  specimen.  Its  occurrence  in  New  England  nuist  bo  con- 
sidered rare. 

USIA  ABEA.   Thick-billed  Quillemot —  Not  uncommon  in  winter. 


j-tailed  Jager.  —  A   not 


SUPPLEMENT. 


In  the  following  pages  we  i',\vo  all  the  wood-plates  of  birds  cou- 
taincd  iu  Holder's  Amrrkan  Fauna,  with  tlie  descriptions  of  those 
represented  in  the  illustrations. 


8 


MoLiWHKUS  PEfOKls.  Cow-hird,  Coir  Blackbird,  Cow  Hunting. — 
As  a  summer  visitor  this  bird  is  veiy  common  in  the  Northern  States. 
It  derives  its  trivial  name  from  the  fact  that  it  seems  fond  of  the  so- 
ciety of  cattle.  They  congregate  in  great  numbers  in  the  pastures 
where  the  cattle  feed,  jirobably  for  seeds,  worms,  etc.,  found  in  the 
excrement.  A  most  unaccountable  habit  of  tliis  bird  is  that  of  lay- 
ing its  eggs  iu  the  nests  of  other  and  smaller  birds.  Frequently  the 
eggs  are  hatched  and  the  young  (lared  for  by  the  foster-mother  until 
they  are  able  to  leave  the  nest.  Occasionally  a  nest  is  found  where 
the  unwelcome  egg  of  the  Cow-bird  (which,  in  some  instances,  half 
fills  that  of  the  little  warbler)  is  excluded  or  covered  by  the  material 
of  a  new  nest  built  over  and  within  the  old  one.  The  Yellow-throat 
and  Red-eyed  Fly-catcher  are  victims  of  this  annoyance  from  the 
Cow-bird.  When  the  egg  of  the  latter  is  dejiosited  before  the  right- 
ful tenant  has  commenced  laying,  the  nest  is  generally  deserted.  It 
is  believed  that  this  bird  does  not  build  ;  est,  but  relies  entirely  on 
tno  good  ofiSces  of  other  species.  The  Cow-bird  is  at  all  times  gre- 
garious and  polygamous,  never  making  and  never  exhibiting  any 
signs  of  either  conjugal  or  parental  affection.  It  is  distributed 
l^retty  geneially  throughout  the  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific,  though  not  found  immediately  on  the  Pacific  coast. 
In  Maine  it  is  considered  rare. 

"  From  twelve  to  fourteen  days  is  the  ustial  time  of  incubation  of 
our  small  birds  ;  but,  ilthough  I  cannot  exactly  fix  the  precise  period 
requisite  for  the  egg  of  the  Cow  Bunting,  I  think  I  can  say  almost 
positi\ely  that  it  is  a  day  or  two  less  than  the  shortest  of  the  ab'-'ve- 
mentioned  species.  In  this  singular  circumstance  we  see  a  striking 
provision  ;  for  did  this  egg  require  a  day  or  two  more,  instead  of  so 
much  less,  than  those  among  which  it  has  dropped,  the  young  it 


l-jilates  of  birds  cou- 
(lescriptiona  of  those 


bird,  Cow  Bunting.— 
a  the  Northern  States, 
sceins  fond  of  the  so- 
abers  in  the  pastures 
Bs,  etc.,  found  in  the 
lis  bird  is  that  of  lay- 
)irds.  Frequently  the 
;ho  foster-mother  until 
a  nest  is  found  where 

some  instances,  half 
overed  by  the  material 
e.  The  Yellow-throat 
t  annoyance  from  the 
.sited  before  the  right- 
generally  deserted.  It 
:,  but  relies  entirely  on 

rd  is  at  all  times  gre- 

never  exhibiting  any 

n. 

OS 


It  is  distributed 
from  the  Atlantic 
on  the  Pacific  coast. 


time  of  incubation  of 
y  fix  the  precise  period 
hink  I  can  say  almost 
shortest  of  the  ab-^ve- 
ance  we  see  a  striking 
TO  more,  instead  of  so 
Iropped,  the  yoimg  it 


]n?cssorPS 


r">'nniini.s  rr\sta\r]3—fl/iw  Jay 


^^-:pc-  i 


(JlUtll 


-3 


SUPPLEMENT. 


080 


contained  would  in  every  instance  most  inevitably  perish,  and  thus 
in  a  few  y(!ars  the  whole  species  must  beeonio  extinct.  On  the  first 
appearance  of  the  young  (Jow  Bunting,  the  parent  being  freiiuently 
obliged  to  leave  the  nest  to  provide  sustenance  for  the  foundling,  the 
business  of  incubation  is  thus  necessarily  iuterrapted ;  the  disposition 
to  continue  it  abates.  Nature  has  now  given  a  new  direction  to  the 
zeal  of  the  parent,  and  the  remaining  eggs,  within  a  week  or  two  at 
most,  generally  disapjiear.  In  some  instances,  indeed,  they  have 
been  found  on  the  ground  near  or  below  the  nest,  but  this  is  rarely 
the  case.  I  have  never  kno^nl  more  than  cue  egg  of  the  Cow  Bunt- 
ing in  the  same  nest." —  Wilson. 


Cyakubus  CKisTATrs.  Blue  Jay. — The  Blue  Jay  is  found  widely 
distributed  over  the  North  American  continent.  "  The  entire  family 
to  which  this  Jay  belongs,  and  of  which  it  is  a  very  conspicuous 
member,  is  nearly  cosmopolitan  as  to  distribution,  and  is  dis- 
tinguished by  the  remarkable  intelligence  of  all  its  members.  Its 
habits  are  striking,  jjeculiar,  and  full  of  interest,  often  evincing 
sagacity,  forethought,  and  intelligence  strongly  akin  to  reason. 
These  traits  are  common  to  the  whole  family." — North  American 
Jiirils. 

Wary  as  this  bird  is  in  the  settled  parts  of  the  countiy,  in  the 
western  prairies  it  is,  says  Mr.  Allen,  half  domestic.  In  one  of  the 
princiiDal  streets  of  Richmond,  Ind.,  ho  found  a  nest,  built  in  a  lilac 
bush,  under  the  window  of  a  dwelling.  In  Kansas  the  Jay  is  equally 
familiar,  and  is  more  highly  colored  than  at  the  North.  The  voice 
of  the  Blue  Jay  is  remarkably  flexible,  being  attuned  either  to  soft 
and  musical  notes,  to  the  harshest  scroamiugs  of  the  hawk  tribe,  or 
the  most  ear-rending  shrieks,  resembling  nothing  so  much  as  the 
piercing  creaks  of  an  ungreased  wheel.  Wilson  says  of  him  :  "  He 
appears  to  be  among  his  fellow-musicians  what  a  trumpeter  in  in  a 
band,  some  of  his  notes  having  no  distant  resemblance  to  the  tones 
of  that  instniment.  These  he  has  the  faculty  of  changing  through 
a  great  variety  of  modulations,  according  to  the  i)articular  hiamor  he 
happens  to  be  in.  "Wh'ni  disposed  for  ridicule,  there  is  scarcely  a 
bird  whose  peculiarities  of  song  he  cannot  tune  his  notes  to.  When 
engaged  in  the  blandishments  of  love,  they  resemble  the  soft  chat- 
teriiigs  of  a  Duck ;  and,  while  ho  nestles  among  the  thick  branches 
of  the  cedar,  are  scarce  heard  at  a  few  paces  distant.  But  he  no 
sooner  discovers  your  approach,  than  he  sets  up  a  sudden  and  ve- 
hement outcry,  flying  off  and  screaming  with  all  his  might,  as  if  he 
would  call  the  whole  feathered  tribe  to  witness  some  outrageous 


■•fe«^ 


686 


SUPPLEMENT. 


usage  ho  had  received.  When  he  hops  among  the  liigh  branches  of 
the  oak  and  hickory,  tlicy  become  .soft  and  musical.  .  .  .  The 
power  of  mimicry  possessed  by  the  .lay,  though  different  from,  is 
hardly  suiimssed  by  that  of  the  Mocking-bird.  It  imitates  the  cry 
of  the  Hawk  so  closely  as  to  drive  the  small  birds  to  cover,  and 
excite  immediate  consternation  in  the  po".ltry-yard.  An  experienced 
bird-fancier  asserts  that  ho  has  invariably  found  them  more  in- 
genious, cunning,  and  teachable  than  any  other  species  of  bird  he 
has  ever  attempted  to  instnict.  The  Blue  Jay  appears  to  belong  ex- 
clusively to  North  America." 


LoPHORTYX  CALrFORNicrs.  Calif (Trnia  Quail. — This  beautiful  spe- 
cies inhabits  the  valley  i)ortions  and  foot-hills  of  the  Pacific  States, 
reaching  southward  to  Cai)o  St.  Lucas.  It  is  richly  marked  in 
plumage,  an  1  has  two  pomi)on-like  crests,  jet  black  in  color,  which 
stand  erect  ui)on  the  occiput.  The  female  is  similar,  with  a  shorter 
ci'est.  It  is  called  the  Valley  Quail  in  California,  to  distinguish 
it  from  the  Mountain  Quail,  its  habiis  leading  it  more  into  the  prai- 
ries and  low  grounds  n.-ar  river  banks.  Dr.  Newberry  describes 
its  note  as  rather  harsh  and  disagi'eeable,  somewhat  resembling  that 
of  the  Woodijeckers.  As  a  game  bird,  it  is  regarded  as  inferior  to 
Bob-white.     It  is  easily  domesticated. 

Ortyx  vmoiNiANUS.  nob-white,  Quail,  Partridge. — This  most  fa- 
miliar bird  is  fotmd  in  the  Eastern  United  States,  and  as  far  west  as 
the  high  Central  Plains,  southward  to  Texas.  In  Maine,  however, 
it  is  a  stranger,  if,  i„deed,  it  is  ever  found  there.  In  New  Hamp- 
shire and  Vermont  it  is  rare.  The  severity  of  the  winters  and  much 
hunting  have  very  materially  lessened  its  numbers  in  Massachusetts. 
They  are  not  migratory,  but  remain  in  the  neighborhood  whore  they 
are  reared.  The  severe  winters  affect  them  seriously  at  times,  when, 
during  a  fall  of  snow,  they  huddle  together  and  allow  themselves  to 
be  buried  for  a  while.  If  the  snow  is  light,  they  easily  manage  to 
thmst  through  it,  but  they  are  occasionally  kept  fast  by  the  freezing 
of  the  surface,  when  they  i>eriRh  from  hunger.  They  are  sometimes 
found  in  this  position  in  large  numbers.  Bob-white  is  always  found 
in  open  grounds,  or  nearly  so,  near  the  edge  of  woods.  Its  food  con- 
sists largely  of  the  seeds  of  various  plants,  benies,  etc.  Later  in 
the  season  it  feeds  on  grasshoppers.  In  country  villages  it  often  be- 
comes quite  tame,  and  ventures  near  the  fann-yards  to  eat  with  the 
poultry.  In  the  Central  Park,  New  York,  it  is  frequently  heard 
uttering  its  peculiar  note,  Bob-white!  Bob-white!    In  the  inteiior 


SUPPLEMENT. 


587 


towns  of  MassaclniRotts  this  noto  is  intoipretcd,  Mwe-wet!  Mnre- 
viet !  and  the  farmer  coiisidci's  his  noto  to  bo  a  precursor  of  rain.  It 
has  two  broods  in  a  season,  the  niido  taking  charge  of  tlio  first  Vmxjd 
when  they  are  about  half  grown.  The  male  is  exceedingly  devoted 
and  courageous. 

Dr.  Brewer  relates  that  ho  once  came  npon  a  covoy  of  young  Quail 
feeding  on  blue-benies,  directly  in  the  path.  They  did  not  see  him 
imtil  he  was  close  upon  them,  when  tlio  old  bird,  a  fine  old  male, 
flew  directly  toward  him  and  tumbled  at  his  feet,  as  if  in  a  dying 
condition,  giving  at  the  same  time  a  shrill  whistle,  expressive  of  in- 
tense alarm.  At  this  moment  the  bird  could  have  been  easily  caught. 
The  young  birds,  at  the  cry  of  the  parent,  flew  in  all  directions,  and 
the  male  soon  followed  them,  and  began  calling  in  a  low  cluck,  like 
the  ciy  of  a  Brown  Thrasher.  These  young  were  hardly  a  week  old, 
yet  they  seemed  to  fly  well  for  a  short  distance.  Prof(!ssor  Baird 
proposed  the  familiar  title  Bob-white,  and  it  is  now  generally  ac- 
cepted by  natui'alists  and  sportsmen  as  the  name  of  the  species. 

IcTiNiA  MississiprrENSis.  Mississippi  Kite,  Bine  Kite. — The  hab- 
itat of  this  bird  is  Central  Mexico  and  Southern  United  States, 
reaching  as  far  north  as  Wisconsin  and  Illinois,  in  the  Mississip])i 
valley.  On  the  inairies  of  Southern  Illinois  it  is  said  to  be  exceed- 
ingly abundant.  On  the  Atlantic  border  it  is  not  seen  above  South 
Carolina.  Thi.'^  species  has  the  habit  of  capturing  and  eating  insects 
while  on  the  wing.  Mr.  Bidgway  describes  the  bird  as  exceedingly 
graceful  in  its  evolutions,  Wilson  says  of  it :  "In  my  perambula- 
tions I  frequently  remarked  this  Hawk  sailing  about  in  easy  circles, 
and  at  considerable  height  in  the  air,  generally  in  company  with  the 
Tui-key  Buzzard,  whose  manner  of  flight  it  so  exactly  imitates  as  to 
seem  of  the  same  species,  only  in  miniature,  or  seen  at  a  more 
immense  height."  Wilson  was  at  a  loss  to  comijrehend  how  these 
two  birds,  whose  food  and  manners  in  other  respects  are  so  diff'erent, 
should  so  frequently  associate  together  in  the  air.  This  Kite  meas- 
ures fourteen  inches  in  length,  and  three  feet  in  extent  of  wings,  an 
enonnous  spread  of  wing  as  compared  with  the  size  of  the  body. 


Vi 


li 


AsTiTB  PAiitJMnARius.  American  Goshawk. — Wilson  says  of  this 
bird :  "  If  this  be  not  the  celebrated  Goshawk  formerly  so  much 
esteemed  in  falconiy,  it  is  very  closely  allied  to  it."  It  is  a  common 
winter  visitor  in  New  England.  Professor  Verrill  says  that  it  breeds 
in  Maine.  Audubon  says  of  it :  "  His  flight  is  extremely  rapid  and 
protracted.     He  sweeps  along  the  margins  of  the  fields,  through  tha 


nss 


SUPPLEMENT. 


;•■<  r-. 

3 


woods,  aud  by  tlio  o(1(,'oh  of  i)ond^  and  rivors,  with  such  spood  as  to 
«Miiil)le  him  to  sci/.c  liis  prey  by  luoroly  doviatiiip;  a  fow  yards  from 
his  c'ours(! ;  assisting  liimself  on  such  oi-nisions  by  his  hing  tail, 
which,  like  a  ruihler,  he  throws  to  the  right  or  tho  left,  upward  or 
downward,  to  check  his  progress  or  enable  him  suddenly  to  alter  his 
course.  At  times  he  passes  like  a  meteor  through  the  imderwood, 
where  he  secures  hares  and  S(piirrels  with  ease.  Should  a  flock  of 
AV'ild  Pigeons  pass  him  when  on  these  predatory  excursions,  he 
immediately  gives  chase,  soon  overtakes  them,  aud,  forcing  his  way 
into  the  very  centre  of  the  flock,  scatters  them  in  confusion,  when 
you  may  see  him  emerge  with  a  bird  in  his  talous,  and  dive  toward 
th  depth  of  the  foresu  to  feed  upon  his  victim.  When  travelling  he 
flies  high,  with  a  constant  beat  of  tho  wings,  seldom  moving  in  large 
circles,  like  other  Hawks." 

Tho  Goshawk  is  not  adapted  for  long  flights ;  its  wings  arcs  so 
sliaped  that  it  is  more  natural  for  tho  bird  to  make  short  dashes  near 
tho  (>arth,  unlike,  in  this  respect,  some  other  species  that  cajituro 
their  prey  by  the  chase  in  the  air.  As  a  trained  bird,  the  European 
variety  is  considered  to  be  one  of  the  most  valuable.  Its  mode  of 
hunting  is  said  to  be  singularly  like  that  of  the  cheetah.  Like  that 
animal,  it  is  not  nearly  so  swift  as  the  prey,  and,  therefore,  is 
obliged  to  steal  upon  it,  and  seize  his  victim  by  a  sudden  and 
unexiiected  jioimce.  The  female  Goshawk  is  strong  enough  to  bear 
cir  a  hare.  This  species  is  the  handsomest  of  all  our  native  Falcons  ; 
in  full  i)lumage,  its  lilac  hues  and  the  trim,  graceful  form  of  its  body 
render  it  suipassingly  beautiful.  The  length  of  the  female  is 
twenty-two  to  twenty-four  inches  ;  wing  about  fourteen.  The  male 
is  about  twenty  inches  in  length.  A  characteristic  of  this  bird  is 
the  extremely  upright  jiosture  it  assumes  when  perching. 


PsEUDOGRYPHUS  CAMFOKNiANUS.  California  Condor,  California  Vul- 
ture.— This  Vulture  rivals  in  size  the  great  Condor  of  South  Amer- 
ica. Its  habitat  is  the  Pacific  coast  region,  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Coloi'ado  to  the  Columbia.  It  is  not  known  in  Mexico,  but  is 
confined  mostly  to  the  warmer  portions  of  California.  Dr.  New- 
berry says  that  it  was  to  him  a  pleasant  portion  of  every  day's  expe- 
rience, in  his  march  through  Sacramento  Valley,  to  watch  the  graceful 
evolutions  of  this  Vixlture.  In  its  colors  the  combination  was  a  pleas- 
ing one,  while  its  flight  was  easy  and  effortless  beyond  that  of  any  other 
bird.  It  i^ossesses  immense  muscular  powers.  Dr.  Heerman  states 
that  four  of  them  dragged  tho  body  of  a  yoimg  giizzly  bear,  that 
weighed  over  a  hundred  pounds,  the  distance  of  two  hundred  yards. 


Ordtf.  iLiplorcs 


til  such  spood  as  to 
^  a  f«w  yards  from 
s  by  his  long  tail, 
,ho  loft,  ui)ward  or 
uddt'uly  to  alter  his 
ugh  the  uuderwood, 
.     Should  a  flock  of 
toiy  excursions,   he 
uid,  forcing  liis  way 
L  in  confusion,  when 
us,  and  dive  toward 
When  travelling  he 
ilom  moving  in  large 

ts ;  its  wings  are  so 
iko  short  dashes  near 
species  that  capture 
\  bird,  the  European 
Luable.     Its  mode  of 
)  cheetah.     Like  that 
)y,  and,  therefore,  is 
im  by  a  sudden  and 
L'ong  enough  to  bear 
1  our  native  Falcons  ; 
3oful  form  of  its  body 
th  of  the  female  is 

fourteen.     The  male 
;eristic  of  this  bird  is 

perching. 

'ondor,  California  Vnl- 
)ndor  of  South  Amer- 
om  the  mouth  of  the 
•n  in  Mexico,  but  is 
!alifornia.  Dr.  New- 
n  of  every  day's  expo- 
,  to  watch  the  graceful 
lubination  was  a  pleas- 
iyond  that  of  any  other 
Dr.  Heerman  states 
mg  grizzly  boar,  that 
of  two  hundred  yards. 


fralronlJiJ- 

L*  < 


A.stui;    ntric^.TiulliiM 


!'  !!':■ 


Hah.viiis  IfiiiocepliJ" 


i 


w«_,A^>-vjy-*Aj'-./' 


:!f 


•3 

IS 


BUPPLEMENT. 


080 


"  Tlioir  fioiisos  of  smoU  nm\  nij^lit  nro  vorv  nonto,  pspooinlly  tho 
latter;  aiul  whon  spiiroliiiiK  for  tlioir  prrv  tliov  sour  to  n  vory  f^roiit 
lu'ight,  ntid,  if  thoy  ciiiiiu-o  to  sci'  ii  wounded  ftiiiiiml,  tlioy  iimncdi- 
atoly  follow  and  attack  it  whonovor  it  sinks  down.  The  tirst-comors 
aro  Hoon  followed  l)y  others,  and  it  is  not  long  l)efore  tiie  body  in 
redueed  to  a  skel(>ton.  Tlieir  Hif,dit  is  slow,  steady,  and  f,'racefnl, 
and  thoy  glide  along  with  little  or  no  jiereeptiMe  motion  of  the 
■wings,  tho  tips  of  wfiieh  ar(>  curved  njiward  in  Hying,  in  the  manner 
of  the  Turkey  Bnzzai  They  are  said  to  appear  most  numerous 
and  to  soar  tho  highest  preceding  thunder-storms  and  tempests." — 
North  Aviericitn  Birds. 

Tho  nest  is  composed  of  a  few  loose  sticks,  generally  situated 
in  tho  crevice  of  a  rock.  The  total  length  of  tho  California  Vul- 
turo  is  forty-five  to  fifty  inches ;  extent  of  wings,  about  nine  or 
ten  feet. 


HaliaRtcs  tEticocKPHALfH.  Bnhl  Edfjlfl. — This  is  tho  American 
Eagle,  so  called.  Aiidubon  says  of  it :  "  Tho  figure  of  this  uoble  bird 
is  well  known  throughout  tho  civilized  world,  emblazoned  as  it  is  on 
our  national  standard,  which  waves  in  the  breeze  of  every  dime, 
bearing  to  distant  lands  the  remembrance  of  a  great  people  living  in 
a  state  of  iieaceful  freedom."  His  great  strength,  joined  to  his  un- 
equalled ijowers  of  flight,  rendei-  him  highly  consi)icuous  among  his 
brethren.  Franklin  says  :  "  He  is  a  bird  of  bad  moral  character  ; 
lie  does  not  got  his  living  honestly.  You  may  have  seen  him  perched 
on  some  dead  tree,  where,  too  lazy  to  fish  for  himself,  he  watches 
the  labor  of  the  Fish  Hawk ;  and  when  that  diligent  bird  has  at 
length  taken  a  fish,  and  is  bearing  it  to  liis  nest,  tho  Bald  Eagle 
pursues  and  takes  it  from  him.  Besides,  he  is  a  rank  coward.  The 
little  Iving-bird,  not  bigger  than  a  Sparrow,  attacks  him  boldly,  and 
drives  him  out  of  tho  district.  Ho  is,  therefore,  by  no  means  a 
proper  emblem  for  the  brave  and  honest  Cincinnati  of  America,  who 
have  driven  all  the  King-birds  from  oiir  country."  Audubon  de- 
scribes and  figures  a  bird  which  he  called  the  Washington  Eagle 
(//".  Wasliingtoni).  As  no  other  specimen  has  been  seen,  and  as  the 
Bald  Eagle  is  known  to  have  a  dark-brown  plumage  during  its  first 
years,  like  that  which  Audubon  considered  as  characteristic  of  the 
Washington  bird,  it  is  now  thought  that  his  specimen  was  none  other 
than  a  remarkably  tine  and  large  female  of  the  present  species. 
The  white  head  and  tail  only  appear  after  several  years  of  moult- 
ing. 

Wilson  gives  the  following  aecoTint :    ' '  Foi  med  by   nature   for 


600 


SrrPLEMENT. 


?9 


is 


braving  thr>  sovorosf  cold,  fending  rtmally  on  (ho  pTodnoo  of  tho 
Hoa  ttiid  of  tlio  land,  pOHsnHsin^^  povvciH  of  HiKht  nij)alilo  of  ontHtrip- 
pinK  «wiMi  tlio  tompoHt,  nnuwdd  liy  iinytliinf,'  hut  man,  and  from  tlio 
ethoroal  Ikm^IiIh  to  wliioli  ho  moui-h  lookiiiK  ahroad  at  ono  glancn  on 
an  imnu-aHuralilo  oxpanHo  of  fon^it,  flchlH,  lakes  and  t)coan  doop  bo- 
h)W  him,  li(»  appears  indiiTcront  to  tlio  littln  localitios  of  (diango  of 
HcaHons,  as  in  a  fow  Tninutcs  he  <'un  pass  from  snninicr  to  winter, 
from  tho  lowor  to  th»»  higher  regions  of  the  atmosphere.  He  ii 
therefore  found  at  all  seasons  in  tho  countries  whieli  he  inhabits, 
but  ])reforH  sueh  i)laees  as  have  been  mentioned  above  for  tho  great 
partiality  ho  has  for  tish.  Eh^vated  on  the  high,  dead  limb  of  some 
gigantic  tree  that  eonnnands  a  wide  view  of  tho  neighboring  shore 
and  ocean,  ho  seems  cahnly  to  contemplate  tho  motions  of  tho  variouB 
feathered  tribes  that  2>nrsue  their  busy  avocations  below.  High  over 
all  these  hovers  ono  whose  actinn  instantly  arrests  his  whole  attention. 
By  his  wide  curvatnro  of  wing  and  snddon  suspension  in  air,  he 
knows  him  to  bo  tho  Fish  Hawk  settling  over  sonio  devoted  victim 
of  the  deep.  His  eye  kindles  at  tho  sight,  and,  balancing  himself  with 
}ialf-open  wings  on  tho  branch,  ho  watches  the  rijsiilt.  Down,  rapid 
OS  an  arrow  from  heaven,  descends  tho  distant  object  of  his  attention, 
tlio  roar  of  its  wings  reaching  tho  car  as  it  disappears  in  the  deep, 
making  the  surges  foam  around.  At  this  moment  tho  eager  looks  of 
tho  Eagle  are  all  ardor,  and  levelling  his  neclc  for  the  flight,  he  sees 
tho  Fish  Hawk  onco  more  emerge,  struggling  with  his  prey,  and 
motinting  in  tho  air  with  scrtmnis  of  exnUation.  These  are  tho  sig- 
nals for  our  hero,  who,  launching  into  the  air,  instantly  gives  chase, 
and  soon  gains  on  tho  Hawk.  Each  exerts  his  utmost  to  mount 
above  the  other,  displaying  in  their  rencontre  tho  most  elegant  aerial 
evolutions.  The  unencumbered  Eaglo  rai)idly  advances,  and  is  just 
on  the  point  of  reaching  his  opiionent,  when,  with  a  sudden  scream, 
tho  latter  drojis  his  fish.  Tho  Eagle,  poising  himself  for  a  moment 
as  if  to  take  a  more  certain  aim,  descends  like  a  whirlwind,  snatches 
it  in  his  grasp  ere  it  reaches  the  water,  and  bears  his  ill-gotten  booty 
fiilently  away  to  the  woods." 

The  Bald  Eagle  is  very  abundant  during  the  summer  months  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec  River  and  among  tho  islands  of  Casco 
Bay.  From  the  deck  of  the  steamer  ono  may  at  any  time  see  sev- 
eral of  the  great  birds  in  view,  especially  between  Sequin  Island  and 
Bath,  "  The  neat  of  this  species,"  says  Wilson,  "  is  generally  fixed 
on  a  large  and  lofty  tree — often  in  a  swamp  or  morass — and  difficult 
to  be  ascended.  On  some  noted  tree  of  this  description — often  a 
pine  or  cypress — the  Bald  Eagle  builds  every  year  for  a  long  series 


HUI'PLliMK.NT. 


r.oi 


10  prodneo  of  tho 

iptiMc  of  outHtrip- 

lum,  uiid  from  tlm 

at  OHO  gliinco  on 

Jul    OCOrtll  tUM>p  l)C- 

itios  of  (rhiuigii  of 
lUinmcr  to  winter, 
tmo-iph<'i'o.     Ho  u 
vhioli  ho  inliftl)itH, 
ibovo  for  tho  uroat 
tloivil  limh  of  sonio 
uoiKhltoring  shoro 
tions  of  tho  vaviouH 
iholow.   High  over 
his  wliolo  attention. 
upenHion  in  air,  ho 
>nie  (lovotod  victim 
lancing  himself  with 
t!snlt.     Down,  rapid 
joct  of  his  attention, 
[)poars  in  tho  cloep, 
it  tlio  eager  looks  of 
ir  the  flight,  ho  sees 
witli  his  prey,  and 
Those  are  tho  sig- 
Lstantly  gives  chase, 
3  utmost  to  monnt 
most  elegant  aerial 
.dvances,  and  is  jiist 
th  a  sudden  scream, 
msclf  for  a  moment 
whirlwind,  snatches 
his  ill-gotten  booty 

summer  months  at 
Ihe  islands  of  Casco 
It  any  time  see  sev- 
Sequin  Island  and 
"  is  genemlly  fixed 
lorass — and  difficult 
iescription — often  a 
3ar  for  a  long  series 


of  years.  Tho  nost  is  largo,  being  added  to  and  ropnirod  rverv  soa- 
Hon,  until  it  Ik  conies  a  liluck,  prominent  mass,  olisi'i'viilile  iit  a  eon- 
Hidorablo  distance.  It  is  formed  of  lurgt>  sticits,  sods,  earthy  nibl)iHh, 
hay,  niosH,  etc.  The  h-ngtli  of  this  Kagle  is  three  feet,  and  its  tiver- 
ago  extent  of  wing  seven  feet.  The  male  is  generally  two  or  tiiret! 
inches  shorter  than  tho  female,  as  is  tho  case,  proportionately,  witli 
most  of  tlio  Fnhimiihv.  Tlie  pliimaKo  of  the  mule  is  also  ligiiter,  and 
ho  is  said  to  bo  less  daring  than  liis  mutu.  This,  too,  is  suiil  to  bu 
common  with  other  birds  of  pn^y. 

Ahamuh  oioanteuh.  f'lyhi;/  liinl,  Coiirhin. — This  is  ratlier  a  pe- 
culiar bird,  its  appearance  and  habits  being  somowluit  ditlerent 
from  any  other,  although  closely  allied  to  tho  Uuils  in  the  essential 
points  of  its  structure.  It  bears  tho  name  also  of  Scolopaccons  (Jonr- 
lan,  and  is  numerons  in  South  America  and  Cuba.  In  tho  United 
States  it  is  fpiite  (confined  to  tho  coast  of  Florida.  A  few  instances 
have  occurred  of  its  visiting  tho  Middle  States.  It  leads  a  solitary 
life,  only  associating  in  pairs,  having  a  piercing  cry  of  ('unm  !  Ca- 
rmi  !  which  is  heard  both  night  and  day.  "NVo  hav(!  seen  this  l)ird 
killed  at  Indian  Key,  Florida  Koef,  while  alighting  upon  tho  cocoa- 
nut  trees.  At  this  time  two  women  issued  forth  from  tlicir  domestic 
duties,  each  with  a  fowling-piece  in  hand.  One  of  them  brought  tho 
pair  of  birds  to  tho  ground,  and  delil)orately  twisted  oil'  their  necks, 
and  i)roceeded  to  prepare  them  for  dinner,  as  they  are  much  es- 
teemed as  game. 

TACirypETES  AQiniiA.  Fi'ifinte  liird,  Man-nf-War  Bird. — This  is 
the  only  species  of  tho  family  known  on  our  coast,  and  is  possibly 
the  same  as  that  in  tho  southern  half  of  tho  continent.  It  is  strictly 
a  maritime  bird,  and  one  that  exhibits  tho  most  wonderful  powers 
of  flight.  During  a  long  residence  on  the  Florida  Hoof,  where  this 
bird  is  more  at  home  than  on  any  other  portion  of  the  North  Atlan- 
tic shores,  wo  have  observed  very  carefully  its  habits.  In  tho  cooler 
season,  numbers  of  the  Man  of- War  Bird,  as  it  is  called  there,  were 
seen  at  certain  times  soaring  above  the  Fortress  Jefferson,  on  the 
Tortugas  Keys.  As  these  l)irds  seemed  to  present  the  most  remai'k- 
nble  examjile  of  the  buoyancy  or  other  conditions  that  sei-vo  to  sus- 
tain them  in  the  air  for  long  periods  without  seemingly  any  wing 
movements,  we  improved  the  opportunity  to  test,  so  far  as  was  pos- 
sible, the  philosophy  of  the  phenomenon.  An  old-fashioned  light- 
house tower  was  yet  standing  within  the  fortress,  antl  this  enabled 
the  observer  to  be  about  seventy-five  or  eighty  feet  from  the  ground. 


602 


«i'1'im<i:mi;nt 


8 


Witli  a  f,'oo<l  pln«M  nnd  rnrcfnl  (■(iiicnilmcnf  in  tlio  lantom-fop,  n  vor>' 
tii-ur  vii'W  wiiH  ulitiiiiii'il.  iliiinlxililt  iiml  Diirwiii  tlii>  luttor  in  77/» 
l'oi/<ii/n  itf  Ihi  Hi'dijli'  -liuv«»  Kiv»'n  hdmio  attention  to  tlui  Niiltjcft,  l)nt 
<>x|)i'i'SN  un  iiiiiliility  to  <-i)Mi|)i'i'li(>hil  it.  'l'lii>  fact  tliut  tlioHii  liirdn 
Hour,  or  n-niiiin  apiiurcntly  niolionli'ss,  r)iily  when  tlic  wind  is  cim- 
Hi('t<nit)l(«,  Hconm  to  luivo  ((Hciipfd  tlicir  notice.  I'or  tlun-in  Hch  tlin 
M«!crot.  Tho  Tftoliy|ict('H  rciircsentH  tin-  nioHt  npn'ad  of  win^  and  tlm 
louHt  pvoportionftto  body  of  iiny  bird,  and  in,  conHi'qucntly,  ono  that 
lM)HHt'SHcs  till!  grt'iitost  foculty  fur  nuuntuininjj;  tlin  curious  jioMition 
in  inid-uir.  Anotlior  fact  in,  tho  bird  always  faces  tlie  wind.  Wo 
liavo,  tlien,  tho  sanio  conditions  a«  in  tho  caso  of  n  boy's  kite.  It 
rises  precisely  as  a  l;ito  doi^s,  and  it  moves  only  as  it  do(>s — not  by 
any  movement  of  feiitherM,  but  n  gentlo  Hwayinpf,  and  a  tritlti  of  tilt- 
ing on  tho  wing,  to  maintain  its  halanco.  What  keeps  it  from  being 
blown  away-  for  tho  kito  has  its  string  ?  Tho  intelligenco  of  tho  bird 
ransoH  it  to  tilt  forward  just  onongli  to  countoract  tho  forco  of  tho 
w  ind,  and  thus  tho  Hmallest  spaco  is  prospnted  to  the  wind  ;  it  is 
merely  u  thin  edge.  Tipping  forward  causes  {\w  body  to  fall  against 
tho  wind  ;  tho  two  foreos — gitivity  and  tho  wind — aro  opposed,  and 
a  perfect  rest  is  tho  result. 

Tho  writer  received  a  note  from  Mr.  Darwin,  in  answer  to  one  sug- 
gesting this  explanation.  In  this  answer  ho  says :  "  I  liavo  thought 
of  Homo  such  ex])lanation,  but  tho  mathematicians  say  it  is  not  pos- 
ble ;  that  tiio  two  forces  do  not  operate  in  a  direct  lino,  opposite  to 
each  other."  Now,  there  is  the  qualifying  power  of  Imoyancy,  whi<h 
operates  to  prevent  tho  bird  from  dropping  dir(>ctly  down  like  a 
dead  weight.  "Wo  must  regard  the  bird  as  it  is — a  thin,  exceed- 
ingly light  object,  that  is  kept  up  by  a  strong  wind,  and  that,  by  its 
intelligent  attention,  keeps  the  outspread  wings  and  body  rigid  and 
always  odge-wiso  to  the  wind,  with  a  slight  tendency  downward. 
These  conditions  obsei-ved,  the  bird  restn  upon  the  wind  as  the  kite 
does,  the  forco  of  gravity  operating  as  tho  string.  It  is  not  nnconi- 
nion  to  see  a  stiff  piece  of  paper  balanced  in  the  air  by  the  wind,  and 
when  inclined  even  directly  against  tho  wind,  to  shoot  foi-ward 
until  it  goes  obliijuely  to  the  ground.  Now,  could  this  paper,  just 
at  the  moment  of  falling,  while  inclined  against  the  wind,  act  to  tilt 
its  face  a  trifle,  the  wind  would  send  it  backward  and  upward 
again.  Thus,  if  the  two  forces  were  opposed  by  intelligent  action, 
the  result  would  be  as  in  the  bird,  a  complete  balancing  on  the  wind. 


AtoA.  iMPENNis.     Orent  AnTc. — Tliis  bird  is  notable  in  the  sense 
that  it  has  ceased  to  exist,  so  far  as  its  history  is  cognizant,  and  is 


lantorii-fnp,  n  rory 
lli(>  hxiU'Y  in  7'//'! 
to  tin*  Hulijfi-t,  Imt 
t   tluit  thtmo  l»ir(lH 
n  tin-  wiiiil  iH  f<'i>- 
ov  tlnTi'in  licM  tho 
ad  of  wiiiK  ivnd  tho 
4(>qnrutl.v,  ono  that 
lio  curidUH  jMrnition 
con  tho  wind.     Wo 
of  ft  hoy's  kitp.     It 
iiH  it  dnofl — not  hy 
and  ft  tiitlo  of  tilt- 
k<>«>im  it  from  hcinw 
'lliKeni'o  of  the  hird 
act  tho  force  of  the 
.  to  the  wind  ;    it  is 
hody  to  fall  an.iinHt 
il — are  oppoHod,  and 

a  answer  to  one  sng- 
vh:  "I  have  thonnht 
iia  say  it  w  not  poa- 
ect  lino,  opposite  to 
•  of  Imovftncy,  which 
livoctly  down  like  a 

is— ft  thin,  exceed- 
ind,  ftud  that,  by  ita 
H  and  hody  rigid  and 
tendency  downward. 

the  wind  as  the  kite 
g.     It  is  not  nneom- 

air  by  the  wind,  and 
to  shoot  foi-ward 
ould  this  paper,  jxist 
t  the  wind,  act  to  tilt 

■kward  and  upward 
ly  intelligent  action, 
lancing  on  the  wind. 

lotablo  in  the  sense 
is  cognizant,  and  is 


Tunmh.lar 


Tmhyji"r<    ujiulii* 
f'ritfiitf*  htfJ 


AptPnodjics  jiafagomra 


^.;q^.!.  , 


■V/^*;  ■,  J-i'S^-sSK 


8 


RL'PrLKMKNT. 


593 


noteworthy  as  being  tlio  expression  of  tlie  lowest  of  its  class  known 
to  the  North  American  continent,  as  the  Pengnin  of  tlu>  antarcti(! 
regions  represents  the  lowest  of  all.  The  Northern  Pengnin,  us  tlie 
Great  Auk  is  sometimes  designated,  is  now  so  rare  in  eolle(!tions 
that  each  indiNndnal  has  its  histoiy  and  price,  or,  as  in  some  in- 
stances, is  absolutely  priceless.  Some  time  not  long  since,  a  list  of 
the  existing  specimens  ownied  by  institutions  or  persons,  was  [lub- 
lished,  which  exliiV)itod  only  sixty  in  number.  No  living  specimen 
has  been  obtained  for  over  forty  years.  In  186!),  the  large  sura  of 
!i86'25  was  paid,  in  London,  by  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  His- 
toiy, New  York,  for  the  specimen  from  which  our  illustration  is 
taken.  The  length  of  the  Great  Auk  is  about  three  feet ;  its  wing 
is  only  four  inches  long.  It  inhabited  the  highest  latitudes,  and 
was  at  one  time  abundant  in  the  arctic  seas.  The  ancient  sh(>ll 
heaps  that  are  so  numerous  along  the  Atlantic  coast  show  abundant 
remains  of  this  bird,  even  as  far  south  as  the  New  England  shores. 
Nuttall,  in  183i,  records  this  bird  as  then  breeding  in  great  num- 
bers. "As  a  diver  he  is  unrivalled,"  he  says,  "having  almost  the 
velocity  of  birds  in  the  air.  They  breed  in  the  Faroe  Islands  and  in 
Iceland,  Greenland,  and  Newfoundland,  nesting  among  the  cliffs,  and 
laying  Init  one  egg  each.  They  are  so  unprolific  that  if  this  egg  be 
destroyed,  no  other  is  laid  ditring  that  season.' 

It  is  supiiosed  that  the  last  of  this  species  seen  alive  were  at  the 
Funks,  a  small  island  off"  Newfoundland.  In  1844,  the  last  specimen 
known  to  be  alive  on  the  Eastei-n  Continent  was  seen  in  Iceland.  In 
1870,  a  specimen  was  found  dead  at  Labrador.  Though  in  poor  con- 
dition, it  was  sold  in  England  for  .§200. 


Aptenodytbs  patagonioa.  Pengnin. — This  is  the  lowest  of  tho 
class  of  birds.  Its  fish-like  "  paddles,"  or  ntdimentary  wings,  clo.so, 
scale-like  plumage,  and  extremely  tei-minal  feet  and  legs,  show  how 
completely  it  is  formed  to  be  an  exclusively  aquatic  creature — as 
much  so  even  as  the  seal,  whose  life  and  habits  are  cpiite  similar. 
This  bird  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  southern  hemisphere,  and  found  in 
the  extreme  antarctic  regions,  and  is  therefore  not  within  the  group 
of  birds  of  North  America.  Its  exceedingly  interesting  nature  and 
position  in  the  natural  sy.stem,  however,  render  it  quite  worthy  of 
attention  here.  The  name  of  the  Penguin  is  dei'ived  from  the  teiiu 
pen- wing  or  pin-wing. 


INDEX  OF   COMMON   NAMES, 


^3 
8 


A. 

American  Avoset,  426. 

Bittern,  403. 

Creeper,  190. 

Goldlincb,  288. 

Osprey,  56. 

Raven,  855. 

Swan,  480. 

Widgeon,  499. 

Woodcock,  430. 
Auk,  Little,  570. 

Razor-billed,  564. 
Avoset,  American,  426. 

B. 

Hold  Eagle,  51. 
ijnldpate  Duck,  499. 
Baltimore  Oriole,  348. 
Barrow's  Golden-eye  Duck,  511. 
Belted  Kingfisher,  125. 
Bittern,  American,  403. 

Least,  401. 
Blackbird,  Cow,  339. 

Crow,  352. 

Red-winged,  341. 

Rusty,  350. 
Bluebird,  175. 
Blue  Jav,  864. 

Snowbird,  314. 
Bobolink,  335. 
Brant,  485. 

Bull -head  Plover,  411. 
Bunting,  Black-throated,  827. 
Bunting,  Cow,  339. 

Henslow's,  806. 
Snow,  296. 
Butcher-bird,  268. 
Buzzard  Hawks,  34. 

c. 

Canada  Flycatcher,  247. 
Goose,  483. 
Grouse,  378. 
Jay,  866,  872. 


Canvas-back  Duck,  507. 
Carolina  Dove,  375. 
Cat-bird,  172. 
Cedar-bird,  205. 
Chat,  Yellow-breasted,  209. 
Chatterer,  Bohemian,  264. 
Chewink,  332. 
Chick-a-dee,  182. 
Chimney  Swallow,  116. 
Coot,  American,  4T6. 
Butter-billed,  520. 
White-winged,  518. 
Cormorant,  Common,  534. 

Double-crested,  586. 
Cow  Blackbird,  339. 
Creeper,  American,  190. 

Black  and  White,  201. 
Crossbill,  Red,  291. 

White-winged,  293. 
Crow  Blackbird,  352. 
Crow,  Common,  357. 

Fish,  863. 
Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  85. 

Yellow-billed,  88. 
Cuckoos,  82. 
Curlew,  Esquimaux,  469. 

Iludsonian,  467. 

Long-billed,  466. 

Short-billed,  467. 
Curlew  Sandpiper,  443. 


D. 

Dipper,  525. 

Diver,  Great  Northern,  556. 

Red-throated,  557. 
Dove,  Carolina,  875. 
Dovekie,  570. 
Ducks,  River,  487. 

Sea,  503. 
Duck,  Baldpatc,  499. 

Barrow's  Golden-eye,  511. 

Big  Black-head,  504. 

Black,  28,  469. 

Buffle-head,  514. 

Butter-ball,  5)4. 

Canvaa-back,  507. 


INDEX  OP  COMMON  NAMES. 


595 


Duck,  Dipper,  514,  S25. 
Dusky,  28,  489. 
Eider,  622. 
Gadwall,  497. 
Golden-eye,  G12. 
Harlequin,  615. 
King  Eider,  52.3. 
Little  Black-head,  605. 
Long-tailed,  510. 
Mallard,  487. 
Old  Wife,  510. 
Pintail,  492. 
Red  Head,  500. 
Kuddy,  525. 
Scaup,  504. 
Scoter,  521. 
South  Southerly,  516. 
Spoonbill,  490. 
Sprigtail,  492. 
Summer,  600. 
Surf,  520. 
Velvet,  518. 
Whistle-wing,  512. 
Wood,  500. 


E. 

Engles,  49. 
Eagle,  Bald,  61. 

Golden,  49,  81. 

Gray,  51. 

White-headed,  51. 


Falcons,  7. 
Finches,  283. 
Finch,  Bay-winged,  303. 
Grass,  303. 
Pine,  290. 
Purple,  285. 
Sea-side,  308. 
Sharp-tailed,  307. 
Flicker,  105. 

Flycatcher,  Acadian,  143. 
Canada,  247. 
Great-crested,  131. 
Green-crested,  143. 
Least,  141. 
Olive-sided,  135. 
Pewee,  133. 
Traill's,  140. 

Wilson's  Black-cap,  246. 
Wood  Pewee,  137. 


G. 

Gannet,  Common,  532. 
Godwit,  Hudsonian,  465. 

Marbled,  463. 
Goldfinch,  American,  288. 
Goosander,  62". 
(ioosu,  Canada,  483. 


Goose,  Snow,  482. 

Solan,  6.32. 
Goshawk,  2'J. 
Grebe,  Carolina,  562. 

Crested,  500. 

Horned,  561. 

Pied-billed,  662. 

Ked-necked,  569. 
Greenlets,  270. 
Grosbeak,  I'ine,  283. 

Kose-breasled,  328. 
Ground  kobin,  332. 
Grouse,  Canada,  378. 
Pinnated,  380. 
Ruffed,  .SS4. 
Spruce,  378. 
tiuillemot.  Common.  507. 

Foolish,  588. 
Ciull,  Bonap.'irte's,  543. 

Great  Black-backed,  640. 
Herring,  541. 
Kittiw:ikc,  544. 
Laughing,  642. 


H. 

Harrier,  46,  81. 
Hawk,  Black,  45. 

Broad-winged,  40,  81. 

Cooper's,  27. 

Duck,  7,  16. 

Fish,  55,  81. 

Gos,  22,  81. 

Great-footed,  7, 16. 

Marsh,  46,  81. 

Night,  122. 

Pigeon,  16,  80. 

Ked-shouldered,  37. 

Red-tailed,  35. 

Rough-legged,  43,  81. 

Sharp-shinned,  31,  81. 

Sparrow,  19,  80. 
Heron,  Great  Blue,  398. 

Green,  404. 

Night,  407. 

Snowy,  396. 
Hooded  Merganser,  629. 
Humming-bird,  Ruby-throated,  111 


Indigo-bird,  330. 


J. 


Jay,  Blue,  364. 
Canada,  366. 


King-bird,  128. 
Kingfisher,  Belted,  125. 
Kites,  46. 


500 


INUKX   UF   COMMON   NAMES. 


L. 

r.apland  Lonffspur,  300. 
I.urk,  Meadow,  34,3. 

Tit,  200. 
I.esscr  Kcdpoll,  2<J4. 
l.uon,  Great  Northern,  65&. 

Ked-tbroated,  567. 


M. 

Mullurd  Duck,  487. 
Marsh  Hen,  471. 
Martin,  Purplu,  2G0. 
Mnrj-land  Yellow-throat,  205. 
Mea'dow  I.ark,  343. 
Mealy  Kedpoll,  295. 
Merj^anser,  Hed-breasted,  526. 
Mocking-bird,  187. 
Murre,  668,  570. 


N. 

Night  Hawk,  122. 

Notes,  bv  William  Couper,  80,  3G8,  394. 

477,671. 
Nuthatch,  Rod-bellied,  188. 

White-bellied,  187. 


o. 

Oriole,  Baltimore,  348. 

Orchard,  346. 
Osprey,  55. 
Oven-bird,  218. 
Owls,  60. 
Owl,  Acadian,  75,  81. 

Barred,  73,  81. 

Great  Gray,  72,  81. 

Great  Homed,  60,  81. 

Hawk,  79,  81. 

Long-eared,  63,  81. 

Mottled,  64. 

Red,  64. 

Saw-whet,  75,  81. 

Screech,  04. 

Short-eared,  70,  81. 

Snowy,  77,  81. 
Oyster-catcher,  American,  433. 


P. 

Partridges,  389. 
Passenger  Pigeon,  873. 
Peep,  447,  460. 
Petrel,  Leach's,  552. 

Wilson's,  558. 
Pewee,  133. 
Pewee,  Wood,  137. 
Phalarape.  Northern,  438. 
Pigeon,  Wild,  373. 


I'ine  Finch,  200. 

Grosbeak,  283. 
Plover,  Burtram's.  460. 

Black-bellied,  430. 

Pield,  460. 

Golden,  411. 

Kill-deer,  413. 

Piping,  419. 

Semipalmated,  417. 

Wil.son's,  416. 

Upland,  400. 
I'uffln,  Arctic,  566. 
Purple  Pinch,  285 

Q. 

(iua-bird,  407. 
Quail,  Virginia,  389. 


K. 

Rail,  Carolina,  474. 

Clapper,  471. 

Marsh,  471. 

Virginia,  472. 

Yellow,  475. 
Haven,  American,  356. 
lied  Start,  249. 
liedpoll,  Lesser,  294. 
Mealy,  296. 
Ring-neck,  417. 
Robin,  154. 

S. 

Sandcrling,  449. 
Sandpiper,  Bartram's,  460. 

Bonaparte's,  446. 

BuH'-breasted,  463. 

Curlew,  443. 

Gray  bade,  440. 

Least,  447,  478. 

Pectoral,  445. 

Purple,  442. 

Ked-backed,  444. 

Semipalmated,  460i 

Solitary,  457. 

Spotted,  458. 
Scarlet  Tanager,  261. 
Sea  Dove,  570. 
Seed-eaters,  283. 
Sheldrake,  American  527. 
Shore  Lark,  280. 
Shoveller  Duck,  490. 
Shrike,  Great  Northern,  26tt. 
Skua-gulls,  537. 
Skua,  Arctic,  538. 

Pomarine,  538. 
Skylarks,  280. 
Snipe,  Knglish,  436. 

Ked-breasted,  439. 
Robin,  440. 
Wilson's,  435. 
Snowbird,  314. 


INUKX    OF    COMMON    NA.MKS. 


5!>7 


Snow  Iluntin;;,  2no. 
Spamnv,  ('liipiiiii;;,  320,  372. 
l-'iclil,  .11!). 
l''(i.<c-((il(jri!(l,  326. 
htavatinali,  3U1. 
SiKiw,  3U. 
.Soiit;,  321. 
Sv/amp,  323. 
Tree,  317. 

W'liite-crowiitd,  ."UO. 
White-throatc)   311. 
Yellow-wiugej,  305. 
Stake-driver,  403. 
Starlings,  335. 
Siiiiimer  Diiek,  500. 
Swallow,  Hank,  258. 
Barn,  254. 
Chimney,  110. 
Cliff,  25o: 
Kave,  256. 
White-bellied,  257. 
Swan,  American,  480, 


Tanager,  Scarlet,  251. 
Teal,  lilue-winged,  495. 

Green-winged,  493. 
Tell-tale,  454. 
Tern,  Arctic,  548. 
Caspian,  u46. 
Least,  549. 
Marsh,  545. 
Shcrt-tailed,  560. 
Wilson's,  546. 
Thistle-bird.  288. 
Thrasher,  Brown,  163. 
Thrush,  Brown,  163. 

Golden-crowned,  218. 
Hermit,  148. 
Olive-backed,  152. 
Song,  146. 
Swainsoii's,  152. 
Tawnj-,  160. 
Water,  220. 
Wilson's,  150. 
Titlark,  200. 
Titmice,  182. 
Titmouse,  Blackcap,  182. 

Hudson's  Bay,  185. 
Towhee  Bunting,  332. 
Turnstone,  424. 
Tyrant  P'lycatchers,  128. 

^. 

Virginian  Partridge,  389. 
Vireo,  Blue-headed,  277. 

lied-eved,  270. 

Solitary,  277. 


Virco,  Warbling,  273 

NVIiite-eyed,  275. 
Yellow-throated,  278. 

w. 

Warblers,  199. 
Warblers,  Wood,  201. 
Warbler,  Bay-brea,"ted,  228. 
Blackburuian,  227. 
Blackpoll,  233. 
Black-throattI  Blue,  2il. 
Black-throated  Green,  222. 
Black  and  Yellow,  238. 
Blue  Yellow-backed,  203. 
Bhie-winged  Yellow,  212. 
Cape  May,  240. 
Chestnut-sided,  231. 
Connecticut,  208. 
Golden-winged,  214. 
Hooded,  245. 
Magnolia,  238. 
Maryland  Yellow-throat,  208 
Mourning,  207. 
Na.shville,  216. 
Oven,  218. 
Pine-creeping,  229. 
Prairie,  241. 
Tennessee,  217. 
Wnrin-eating,  211. 
Yellow,  237. 
Yellow  liedpoll,  240.     , 
Yellow-rumped,  226. 
Whippoorwill,  119. 
WidgLon,  American,  499. 
Willet,  452. 

Woodcock,  American,  430. 
Wood  Pewee,  137. 
Woodpecker,  Banded  Three-toed,  95. 

Black-backed  Three-toed 

94. 
Downy,  89. 
Goldeii-winged,  105. 
Hairy,  87. 
Pileated,  99. 
Bed-headed,  102. 
■nr        ^  ,      Yellow-bellied,  96. 
Wren,  Golden-crested,  179. 
House,  195. 

Long-billed  Marsh,  192. 
Kuby-crowned,  178. 
Short-billed  Marsh,  194. 
Winter,  177. 


lellcw-bird,  288. 
Yellow-breasted  Chat,  209. 
Y'ellow-throat,  Maryland,  206. 
Yellow-legs,  Conmion,  456. 
Yellow-legs,  Greater,  464. 


INDLX   OF   SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


f^ 

•'9 

y^ 

') 

t' 

^JS 

J: 

^ 

1 

^!3 

s 


Accipiter  Cooperii,  27. 

ftiscus,  31,  81. 
Actiturus  UurtramiuH,  460,  478. 
^gialites  melodiis,  41U. 

seinipaluiatuH,  417,  478. 

voi'iterus,  413. 

VVilsonius,  41B. 
iEgiotlius  cancsccns,  295. 

linaria,  294,  371. 
A^claius  FhoBnicet!!),  841,  372. 
Aix  BDonsa,  500,  672. 
Alaudida;,  280. 
Alca  tcrda,  564. 
Ainmodroinus  caudacutus,  307. 
iiiaritimiis,  308. 
Ampelis  cedroruin,  266,  371. 

garrulus,  204,  370. 
Anas  boschas,  487,  572. 

obacura,  28,  489,  672. 
Anseres,  479,  480. 
Anser  liyperboreus,  482,  571. 
Anthiw  Ludovicianus,  200,  369. 
Antrostomus  vocilerus,  119,  368. 
Aqiiila  Canadensis,  49,  81. 
Arehibuteo  lagupus,  43,  81. 

Sancti  Johannis,  45. 
Ardoa  herodias,  398,  477. 
Ardetta  exilis,  401 . 
Astur  atricapillus,  22,  81. 
Aytliya  Americana,  506,  672. 
vallieneria,  507. 


B. 

Hornicla  Canadensis,  488,  571. 

brenta,  485. 
Honasa  umbellus,  384,  394. 
Botaurus  lentiginosus,  403,  477. 
Hrachvotus  Cassinii,  70. 
Bubo  Virginianus,  60,  81. 
Bucepbala  albeola,  614,  572. 

Americana,  612,  572. 
islandica,  511,  672. 
Biiteo  borealis,  36. 
llneatus,  37. 
I'ennsylviniicus,  40,  81. 
Uutorides  virescuns,  404. 


c. 

Calidris  f.renaria,  449,  478. 
Carpodacus  purpureas,  285,  371. 
Certhia  Americana,  190,  371. 
Ccryle  aicyon,  125,  369. 
Cliietura  |)elasgia,  116,  368. 
Charudriu.s  Virginicus,  411.  478. 
Cliiiulelasnius  stropcrus,  407. 
Chordeiles  popctue,  122,  368. 
Chroicocuphalus  atricilla,  542. 

Pliiladelpbia,  543,  578 
Chrysomitris  pinus,  290,  371. 
tristis,  290,  371. 
Circus  Hudsonius,  40,  81. 
Cistothorus  palustris,  192. 
stcllaris,  194. 
Clamatores,  5, 125. 
Coccygus  Aniericanus,  83. 

crythrophthalmug,  85. 
Colaptes  auratus,  105. 
Collyrio  borealis,  268,  371. 
Colymbus  septentrionalis,  557. 
torquatus,  555,  673. 
Coiitopus  borealis,  135. 

virens,  137,  369. 
Corvus  Aniericanus,  357,  372. 
carnivorus,  355,  372. 
ossitragus,  863. 
Coturniculus  Heuslowi,  800. 
passerinus,  305. 
Cotyle  riparia,  258,  370. 
Cupidonia  Cupido,  380. 
Curvirostra  Americana,  291,  371. 
luucoptcra,  293,  371. 
Cj'anospiza  cyanea,  330,  372. 
Cyanurus  crLstatus,  364,  372. 
Cygnus  Americanus,  480. 


D. 

Dafda  acuta,  492,  572. 
Dendroica  aestiva,  237,  370. 

Biacliburnia!,  227,  369. 

Canadensis,  224,  360. 

castanea,  228,  370. 

coronata,  226,  369. 

discolor,  241. 

maculosa,  238,  370. 

[.098] 


INDKX   OF   SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


".!»!» 


ncndroica  palinnrum,  240. 

I'ciinsylvaiiica,  231,  370 
pinus,  220,  870. 
striata,  2.13,  370. 
tigrina,  240. 
viiens,  222,  369. 

£. 

Kctopistes  miffratoria,  373,  SM. 
hinpidonax  Acadicus,  143. 

minimus,  141. 

Traillii,  140. 
r.remophila  corimfa,  2^0,  371. 
Kreunctes  petrilicatiis,  450  478. 
Krisrnatiira  riihida,  525. 
Ku.spiza  Americana,  327. 


Faico  anatum,  7. 
Fulica  Americana,  476,  478. 
Fulixafflnis,  605,  572. 
marila,  504,  572. 


G. 

Ualenscoptcs  Carolinenais,  172. 
Gall'nasro  Wilsonii,  435,  478. 
Gambttta  flavipcs,  455,  478. 

melanoleuca,  454,  478. 
Oarzetta  candidissima,  Sltfi. 
Geothlypis  Pliiladelphia,  207. 
trichas,  205,  309. 
Grallatores,  5,  395. 
Graculus  carbo,  534. 

_  diiopluis,  535. 

Guiraca  Ludoviciana,  328,  372. 

H. 

Haematopus  palliatus,  422. 
Halirctus  lencncephalus,  51. 
Harelda  glacialis,  516,  572. 
Harporhynchiis  riifus,  163. 
Helminthophaga  chrysoptera.  214. 
peregrma,  217. 
pinu.',  212. 
IT  ,    ..,.  ruflcapilla,  215. 

Helmitherus  vermivoriis.  211. 
Hinmdo  bicolor,  207,  370. 

horreonim,  254,  370. 
Iuni(rons,  254,  370. 
Histrionicus  torqiiatus,  515,  572. 
Hydrochelidon  plumbea,  550. 
Hylatomus  pileatus,  99. 
Hypotriorchis  columbarius,  16,  80. 

I. 

Icteria  viridis,  209. 
Icterus  Baltimore,  848. 


Tcterius  spiiriiiK,  346. 
lM.sca.sort'.s,  lOti. 

J. 

JuDcc  'lyemali.s,  314,  371. 

L. 

Larus  argcntatiis,  541,  672. 

mariniis,  540. 
Limo?a  fedoa,  403. 

Hudsonica,  465. 
Lophodytcs  <  iicullatua,  520,  673. 

M. 

Macrorhanipliiis  griscus,  438,  478. 
Mareca  Anioricana,  409,  572. 
Mclancrpcs  crytliroceplialus,  101. 
Melanetfa  vclvctina,  518. 
Moldspiza  melodia,  321,  372. 
paliistri»,  323,  372. 
Mergus  Aniericanus,  527,  672. 

Bcrrator,  526,  572. 
Mergiilu.s  alle,  570. 
Mimiis  polyglotfus,  167. 
Mniotilta  varia,  201,  369. 
iMolothrus  pecoris,  339. 
Mormon  arctica,  566. 
Myiardiu.';  crinitu.s,  131. 
Myiodioctcs  Canadensis,  247. 
mitraliis,  245. 
pu,sillus,  246. 

N. 

Natatores.  5,  479. 

Ncttion  Carolincnsis,  49.3,  573. 

Numeuius  borcalis,  469,  478. 

Hudsonius,  467,  478. 
longirostris,  466. 
Nyctale  Acadica,  75,  81. 

Ricbardsonii,  75,  81. 
Nyctta  nivea,  77,  81. 
Nyctiardea  garden!,  407,  477. 

0- 

Oidcmia  .A.mericana,  521. 
Oporornis  agilig,  208. 

Ortyx  Virgin  ianus,  38a 

Oscines,  5,  145. 

Otus  Wilsonianiis,  68,  61. 


Pandion  Carolinensis,  55,  81, 
Parula  Americana,  203. 
Paru.s  atricapillus,  182,  371. 
Ihidsonicus,  185,  371, 
Pap.?en.uliis  Savanna,  301. 
Passerella  iliaca,  323,  872. 


fU)(» 


INDEX   OP   SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


»,  Co 

Is 


8 


Pellonctta  jn'r-pieillnta,  B20,  672. 
I'erJKoreim  (Jnnadeinis,  368  371. 
I'linlnronus  hypcrboreus,  42H,  478. 
Philohela  minor,  430,  478. 
I'iioldes  arcticiis,  04. 
hirautiiii,  96. 
I'ictis  pubesccns,  89. 

villosus,  87. 
I'iiiionla  Canadensis,  283,  371. 
IMpilo  erytliroplitliulmus,  332. 
lMoitropliane8  lapponicus,  3(io, 
nivalis,  290,371. 
Podiceps  comiitus,  661. 

cristatus,  500. 

griHcif^ena,  669. 
I'odilynibus  podiccps,  662. 
Poocictcs  grumineiiH,  303,  371. 
Porzana  Carolina,  474,  478. 

Novubornoensis,  475,  478. 
ProRne  purpurea,  260,  370. 
Pyranga  rubra,  251,  370. 


Querquedula  discors,  495. 
Quiscalus  versicolor,  352,  372. 


Rallus  crepitans,  471. 

elegans,  471. 

Viryinianu',  472,  473. 
Raptores,  4,  6. 
Kasores,  5,  378. 
Recurvirostra  Americana,  426. 
Regulus  calendula,  178,  369. 

satrapa,  179,  309. 
Rhyacophilus  solitarius,  457,  478. 
Rissa  tndactyla,  544. 

s. 

Sayornis  fnscus,  183. 
Scansores,  4,  82. 

Scolccophagus  ferrugineus,  350,  372. 
Scops  asio,  64. 

Seiurus  aurocapillus,  218,  389. 
Noveboracensis,  220. 
Setophflga  ruticilla,  249,  370. 
Sialia  sialis.  175,  369. 
Sitta  Canaaensis,  188,  871. 

Carolinensis,  187. 
Somateria  moUissima,  522,  572. 

spectabilis,  623. 
Spatula  ch-peata,  4»6,  672. 
Sphyrapicus  varius,  96. 
Spizella  monticola,  317,  371. 

pusilta,  319,  371. 

socialis,  320,  371. 
Squa».irola  Helvetica,  420,  478. 


Stercorarius  parasiticus,  538. 
pomarinus,  53S. 
Sterna  aranca,  54f>. 

Ca.spia,  649. 

frenata,  649. 

macroura,  548. 

Wilsonii,  546,  578. 
Strepsihis  interprcs,  424,  478. 
Strisores,  4,  110. 
Sturui'lla  magna,  843. 
Sula  bassmia,  532. 
Siirnia  ululi',  79,  81. 
Syrupbenila  scinipnlmata,  4.'i2. 
Syrnium  liiicrciiiii,  72,  81. 
nubulusum,  73,  81. 


Tetrao  Canadensis,  378,  396. 
Thalassidroma  I.eachii,  562. 

Wilsonii,  563. 
Tinnunculus  sparverius.  19,  80. 
Tringa  Alpina,  var.  Americana  444 

Honnpartii,  446. 

canutus,  440,  478. 

mnculata,  478. 

maritiui.n,  442,  478. 

subarquata,  443. 

Wilsonii,  447,  478. 
Tringoides  macularius,  4-58,  478. 
TrocTiilus  colubris,  111,368. 
Troglodytes  a-don,  196. 

hyemalis,  107  871 
Tryngites  rul'o«cens,  462. 
Turdus  fuscescens,  150,  889. 

niipratorius,  154. 

niustelinus,  146. 

Pallasii,  148,  369. 

Swainsonii,  152. 
Tyrannus  Carolinensis,  128,  889. 


u. 

Una  grylle,  567. 

lomvia,  568,  578. 
ringvia,  570. 


Vireo  flavifrons,  278. 
gilvus,  273. 
Noveboracensis,  275. 
olivaceus,  270,  371. 
solitarius,  277. 


Zcnaidura  Carolinensis,  375,  394. 
Zonotrichia  albicoUis,  311,  371. 
leucophrys,  809,  371. 


siticus,  538. 
larinus,  BHS. 
If.. 
41t. 
41). 
,  B48. 
646,  B73. 
PCS,  4a4,  47K. 

,,  843. 

2. 

,  81. 

ipiilmata,  4.')'2. 
nil,  72.  81. 
!<mn,  73,  81. 


T. 

9is,  378,  396. 

I.cachii,  B52. 

VVilsonii,  363. 

Firverius.  19,  80. 

var.  Americana  444. 

rtii,  446. 

,  440,  478. 

a,  478. 

m,  442,  478. 

lat.-i,  443. 

i,  447,  478. 

lularius,  4-)8,  478. 

iris.  111,  368. 

Ion,  lye. 

•emails,  197  371 

iccns,  462. 

ens,  150,  869. 

jrius,  154. 

nus,  146. 

i,  148,  369. 

lonii,  152. 

ilinensis,  128,  S69. 


u. 

7. 

68,  578. 

70. 


V. 

IS,  278. 
273. 

racensifl,  276. 
IS,  270,  371. 
IS,  277. 


rollnensia,  375,  394. 
bicoUiP,  311,  371. 
lucoplirys,  809,  371. 


